Advice Please

[bubblesmcgee]

Hi,

So I’ve been having trouble with my health for a while, my TSH until this test taken on Monday has been 4.30 for about 5 months.

I’ve been feeling absolutely rubbish, I’ve been gaining weight steadily since about March last year, always few cold, especially in my hands, my joints ache especially my neck and upper back, my skin on my hands, legs and face is very dry, I have very brittle nails, I forget/substitute words and get brain fog, I’m tired all the time, my mood is all over the place, happy one minute, angry or crying the next, I’m clumsy, I get constipation and flatulence a lot, I get pins and needles occasionally in my hands, I have a persistent cough, I’m always stiff in the morning and I get regular mouth ulcers and occasional tinnitus.

My GP has been investigating my thyroid as my TSH has been a bit high but has also referred me to an endocrinologist and got me to have further blood tests (see photo). I saw my GP last night about the tests below and was told that my B12 and ferritin are a bit low but that there was no need to treat them and just to get some over the counter supplements. When I asked why I was feeling so rubbish she tried to lead me down the garden path of depression and fatigue due to chronic pain and said that she didn’t really know why I was feeling rubbish and gaining weight so that I should just wait to see the endocrinologist in May.

I’m just worn out with being fobbed off all the time and having a constant battle and really don’t know what’s causing my symptoms any more.

If someone could give me some advice on what I should do next I’d really appreciate it.

B12 145 (180-914)

Folate 8.6 (3.10-20.0)

TSH 2.8 (0.27-4.20)

FBC:

Heamoglobin 124 (120-150)

Total White Cell Count 5.48 (4.0-10.0)

Platelet Count 213 (150-410)

Heamocrit 0.394 (0.36-0.46)

Red Blood Cell Count 4.79 (3.8-4.8)

MCV 82.3 (83-101)

MCH 25.9 (27-32)

MCHC 315 (315-345)

Red Blood Cell Distribution Width 14.2 (11-16)

Neutrophil Count 4.13 (2.0-7.0)

Lymphocyte Count 0.79 (1.0-3.0)

Monocytes Count 0.33 (0.2-1.0)

Eosinophil Count 0.2 (0.02-0.50)

Basophil Count 0.03 (0.0-0.10)

Nucleated RBC Count 0

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate 2 (0-12)

Plasma Glucose Level 4.8 (<7.7)

Ferritin 10 (13-150)

Renal Profile:

Serum Sodium 140 (133-146)

Serum Pottasium 4.6 (3.5-5.3)

Serum Creatinine 61 (44-80)

GFR >90 (>60)

Serum C Reactive Protein Level 1 (<5.0)

Calcium Profile:

Serum Calcium 2.22 (2.15-2.55)

Serum Albumin 43 (35-50)

Serum adjusted Calcium Conc 2.2 (2.2-2.6)

Thanks

[spacey1]

Sorry you're feeling so rubbish.

Your B12 is low and does need treating - with the loading dose of six jabs, one every other day, then on to whatever is appropriate next. Sounds like you have a lot of things going on physically, but please go back to your GP and ask for treatment for your low B12. it can only help.

There's lots of pinned info on this site which it might be helpful to print off and take along with you. Maybe also take a friend for moral support?

[KimberinUS]

From your results you are b12 and iron deficient. B12 from the b12 test. It is quite low and iron from your mcv which is also low.

You need to ask for a complete iron panel not just ferritin.

Additionally your red blood cell distribution width is getting on the high side which means some red blood cells are small (microcytosis, iron deficiency) and some are large (macrocytosis, b12/folate def) .

You folate currently looks good at 8.6 but it should be checked again about a week or 2 after getting loading injections.

As your doctor has refused injections you might get ready to fight for injections by notifying them in writting that they are not following the guidelines for treatment. I would only go there if the endo you are getting ready to visit doesnt write to your doctor for you.

However i would prepare the letter now, as you may be feeling worse by may without treatment.