MCH has gone over-range again, but ferritin low at 28, any advice appreciated please?

[Jo5454]

Hi, written this post twice but seems I did it on the thyroid site, so third time lucky. Issues for both and know they're a very wise bunch too, so no worries!

A recent test has shown MCH has risen again to 32,5 (27-32) and ferritin dropped to 28 (23-300). I was confused as to why as thought the low ferritin would bring MCH value down, but as someone kindly pointed out in thyroid site, the b12 could be worse than iron issue.

I have monthly injections for a b12 functional def. am nowhere near well yet, but am trying to correct thyroid with iodine, so as like many not sure what symptoms are to do with what!

Im just concerned that if I now supplement with more iron, which I feel im desperate for as very breathless, periods have become too regular and heavy (happened before when ferritin low), overanxious and panic symptoms over minor issues, tiredness, etc, that my b12 symptoms will worsen and maybe I need to up them too? Ive been on biglcinate for 6 months, used to have fumarate (thought id change to lose some additives) but had to cease for 2 months due to sinus/inner ear infections recently) so think ill go back to fumarate.

Folate has risen dramatically up to 13.1, b12 1699 (has been much higher)

WC 10.3 (4-10) Neutrophils 8.12 (2-7) and thyroid FT4 has lowered to 11 from 14 and tsh is 3,72, though this test was taken mid afternoon. Not ideal but has at least given me an idea of tsh at that time of day.

Any ideas greatly appreciated thank you...

[Nackapan]

My ferritin 29. I'm also breathless are times . It was 61ng/ml on first lot of bloods when b12 defiency was found.

Ferritin I have been told by a doctor to try and keep above 50 to stay symptom. free.59-80

Ferritin levels also drop with hypothyroidism. Of course there are always those that are well on lower levels who have no health issues. The range is so wide.

[Jo5454 in reply to Nackapan]

Thank you Nackapan, sorry to hear you're suffering. So yours has worsened since taking b12. Seem to need a fair bit of these extra nutrients to keep it all working!

I'm thinking I will have to try thyroid medication to see if that helps, as well as upping b12 and iron.

I changed to a different iron in Febuary, due to trying to lose somevof the additives of fumerate, plus the cost. But I don't think it's been working so well by the look of things, unless as you say it's dropping due to thyroid worsening and coincidental with the change of brand.

I noticed the range has changed since my last test and the lowest has moved up to 23 now, which must be good. I've been down to 12 before and classed as borderline needing iron!

Thanks again...

[Gambit62 Administrator]

can't add to my response to your post on TUK

sounds like you really need to be on more frequent injections and the macrocytosis is a sign that the current frequency of injections isn't enough to stop the functional B12 deficiency recurring

[Jo5454 in reply to Gambit62]

Thanks gambit62. I really appreciate your help😀 so you do call that macro cytosine, even if it's just a bit overange. That's helpful. I will contact Dr to check he's actually seen it, then try another way of supplementing more b12, get my iron up again, and may try the thyroid med. I keep trying to correct other things, like selenium, magnesium, etc, but I may have to concede!

Many thanks.

[AZsunny]

Careful with too much iodine. TSH is too high, which can be caused by excess iodine supplementation. HWA likely scenario which presents with low ferritin but normal other markers of anemia.

[Jo5454]

Thank you AZ sunny...Yes, trying iodine was a gamble as i discovered I had a severe deficiency. I've been on the daily amount for 6 months and iodine level has only improved by 3! Meanwhile tsh is only a little worse, but ft4 has dropped from 14 or 15 to 11, so I'm presuming that even if I up iodine that's maybe not working and I'd be silly to rely on it?

Sorry, brain has gone, not sure what HWA is please?

Thanks😀

[Jo5454]

Ah found it thanks AZSunny, hypoferritiemia, wasn't coming up the first few times of googling...thank you. Will have a read.