Help with test results!

[Victoria1990]

Hi everyone, this is my first post as I have just got my test result! I have an under active thyroid and am on 100 meg daily. I have been feeling quite ill recently so had a private test done. I am vegetarian but eat dairy so lots of yogurt, cheese and milk daily I also have fish now and again. Please can you give me some advice. Many thanks.

[Red-amber]

Hi if you pop over to the Thyroid UK forum they can offer you more advice but you have elevated antibodies which means you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. I have underactive and Hashimoto's as well. Someone here or on the Thyroid UK forum can advise on the ferritin, folate, vitamin D which also look low. What's important is how you feel?

[Victoria1990 in reply to Red-amber]

Hi Red-amber,

I have posted on the Thyroid UK forum and they have given me good advise for the Hashimotos but they thought it would be a good idea to chat to you guys reference the Vit B12, folate and ferritin.

[Gambit62 Administrator]

folate definitely deficient

B12 most likely deficient. Serum B12 isn't a good guide so GP should go on symptoms ... but often they look for macrocytosis - red blood cells slightly enlarged and rounder than normal - and as that is a sign of folate deficiency they may put it down to folate.

Guidelines are not to treat a folate deficiency in preference to a potential B12 deficiency as doing so may mask some of the symptoms of B12 deficiency and can lead to neurological damage.

Ferritin is a protein that binds to iron so the body can use it - and if that is low then it tends to cause microcytosis - smaller blood cells than normal - ie acts in the opposite direction to B12 and folate deficiency.

Looks likely that you have an absorption problem - which is stopping you absorbing B12, folate and iron and possibly other things from your diet.

You need treatment for B12 deficiency - regime depends on whether you have neurological symptoms. 24-48 hours after you start treatment for B12 deficiency you need to start treatment for folate deficiency otherwise your body won't be able to process and use the B12 you are getting properly.

Look through the pinned posts for the symptoms check list and use that to identify if you have neurological symptoms already.

[Victoria1990 in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you so much this is really helpful! I have been really tired, tearful and moody. My short term memory is dreadful. I have also been suffering from dizzy spells and numb finger tips I just thought it was my Thyroid problem but now I think there may be more to it!

[Morayshasha in reply to Victoria1990]

I have had very similar symptoms for about a year that my doctor and I were putting down to my thyroid, but I have just been diagnosed with pernicious anaemia as my b12 was below 90. Have started a course of injections, so it's early days, but fingers crossed! Hope you feel better soon.

[Hidden]

Yoyr symptoms can be those of B12 deficiency but whether your GP will accept this is another matter. I would find a B12 deficiency checklist and mark your symptoms. Then print out the information on this site that quotes all the NHS guidelines re B12 deficiency and take it all along to your GP. If s/he won't act there is plenty if information & advice on this site about self treatment. I started in patches from Amazon and noticed a slight improvement so was confident I was on the right lines.

[Victoria1990]

Thank you 06hollyberry I will do that!