Help for my 31 year old son please. First post.

[Lexa22]

He has just had some blood test results, would appreciate any ideas because of the low Ferritin and Folate. He is a Type 1 diabetic.

He became ill in the Spring, had been working very long and unsocial hours in hospitality. He has symptoms of Fibromyalgia and his GP is close to giving him the diagnosis but could there be something else going on? He has very bad hair loss, close to having to shave his head.

Ferritin. 22ug/L 23.9-336

Folate 3.1ug/L 2.9-20.6

Vitamin B12 439ng/L >160

RBC 4.93 10*12/L 4.5-5.5

Serum ironlevel 17umol/L 8-32.6

TSH 1.76mu/L 0.34-5.6

Free T4 10.6pmol/L 7.7-15.1

IgG 16.1gIL 6-16.0

IgM 2.7g/L 0.50-1.90

There were no other blood test results available on his online NHS portal. I have Hypothyroidism and have come over from the Thyroid UK forum. Thank you for any advice.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Hi and a warm welcome to the forums. You can find general information on fibromyalgia at our website fmauk.org and our patient information booklets at fmauk.org/publications

Not medically qualified, so unable to say whether any of your sons blood results could indicate something other than fibro. He would need to dial to gp for information on results

[Lexa22 in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Thank you so much for your reply. I will check out the website.

[Badbessie]

Obviously no one can give a diagnosis online and this must be discussed with your GP. Your son's ferritin is low which can cause problems with various conditions. For example restless leg syndrome and other neurological conditions. My wife as RLS and fibromyalgia and needs to keep her ferritin above 120 which helps both her conditions. His folate is on the low side which can lead to thinning and hair loss. His IgG is on the high side and his IgM definitely is. This can indicate an auto immune problem. This should be discussed with your GP. You must remember that bloods are only one element of diagnosis and cannot on their own be diagnostic in this non specific form.

[Lexa22 in reply to Badbessie]

Hi, I'm looking into vitamins and iron for him today. I was concerned that the GP was fobbing him off over the last 7 months and now saying it's Fibromyalgia. I came over from the Thyroid UK forum as I'm Hypo. They have given me advice about vitamins, iron, get him tested for Coeliacs and Thyroid. We'll then test everything in 6 weeks with Medichecks. So we have a plan. He's Type 1 diabetic from age 11. Thank you so much for your reply.

[Bmw640]

Hi Lexa, I can’t help with most of your questions but since I can’t retain iron (genetic) I can tell you that low iron or anaemia levels of low iron can come hand in hand with hair loss. For me the lower my iron goes the greater amount of my hair comes out, usually in big handfuls until I have my i/v iron again.

Hope this little bit of info helps.

Best of luck getting all the answers you need.

Bm

[Lexa22 in reply to Bmw640]

Hi, I have learn't so much in the last couple of days about iron and anaemia that I couldn't get my head around before. Your experience and information backs things up. He's going back to the GP to talk about anaemia and to get some iron tablets. He's started on folate and other vitamin supplements. Thank you so much for your reply, so very helpful.

[Bmw640 in reply to Lexa22]

I’m glad I could be of help. If you want to know of my experience with any other anaemia/low iron symptoms just drop me a line. Always happy to help. I hope you find all the answers & information you need. Bm

[Lexa22 in reply to Bmw640]

Thank you, you are very kind. Will do, I'll see how he goes with the supplements and at the GP's.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Sending warm wishes too you and your son, I hope things improve for him as you said working long hours that would have taking a toll on his body ,I hope your GP will be able too tell your son more from these results and should he get a diagnosis for Fibro this forum is a great help for both of you xx

[Lexa22 in reply to Yassytina]

Hi, yes I think it did, his blood sugar levels were all over the place and he became quite unwell. He is going back to his GP armed with fantastic information we have received from this forum and Thyroid UK. Thank you so much for your reply and the warm welcome to the forum.