Sorry if this is not the right place to post but I was diagnosed with a vitamin B12 deficiency about 5 years ago. PA test negative but I understand that’s possibly unreliable? Anyway, the injections made me feel so much better and B12 now at the higher end of the Range.
I’ve had a couple of blood tests over the last year and both came back with one of the red cell tests abnormal - slightly above range.
Does anyone have any idea whether this is connected or why this might be?
I am now suffering with new symptoms (rapid weight gain, nails have thinned, ridged and lost the half moons, thinning hair, eyebrows and eyelashes, breathlessness & body aches)
For reference, here are some of the other results as I can only upload one page:
Iron - 19.53 (range 5.8-34.5)
Ferritin - 40 (range 13-150)
Folate - 7.61 (range >3.89)
Vitamin D - 62.8 (range 50-175) - I was deficient in April at 26.3 but have been taking high dose supplements
TSH - 2.49 (range 0.27-4.2)
T4 - 12.7 (range 12-22)
Should any of these be improved even though they are technically in range?
Thank you
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Lynsey24782
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Poor you!While I think you have posted in the right place, I suggest you also post this on the Thyroid UK forum as it looks like you might have a problem they can help you with. They are extremely helpful and friendly.
Your test results aren't clear - just too small.Being slightly out of range on one test may not be significant, or it may be worth following up on as an early indicator of anaemia.
would be a good idea to talk to your GP, though they may want to redo the tests.
Assuming you are being treated for hypothyroidism the results you have may indicate you are under medicated as many patients find they need a TSH nearer to 1 but please post on TUK and please speak with your GP
Hey, yeah I’m not sure why it’s uploaded like that as the picture before upload is really clear. Seems a bit blurry on here. One of the blood tests that showed up as an abnormal red blood cell result was by my GP but they didn’t mention it to me. I spotted it and then it’s come up again on medichecks. I’ll talk to my GP.. regarding thyroid, no not been diagnosed with hypothyroidism or anything and just keep being told it’s fine as I’m ‘in range’ despite my symptoms. Might just be me but I do feel like as a woman, you very much get fobbed off with ‘go on a diet’. Then I present my MyFitnessPal diary (which shows that I eat really healthily and exercise) to be told ‘oh try the 800 calorie a day diet for 3 months’. 🤦🏻♀️
Scientist's two-pennorth. I'm not a medic. Here's my thoughts and I apologise for droing on a bit.
The numbers are very small, but I think the one you're referring to is the MCHC. 'Once upon a time' this was useful but nowadays it's of less value, and some labs don't even report it.
It's calculated from the RBC [which is a good, precise test], the MCV [which is fairly good but isn't perfect] and the Haemoglobin [which is a good, precise test.]
If the sample isn't processed promptly, the MCV can be slightly affected but not enough for you to notice. However, when you do the following calculation
MCHC = (Hb/(RBC x MCV)) any inherent errors are being multiplied.
Reference ranges quoted are typically 95% limits, which means that 5% of normals will lie (slightly) outside them. The further outside the range, the more likely they're abnormal, but a borderline raised MCHC can be discounted. (In my opinion, that is.) If the sample had been re-run at the same time it might well have come back in range.
To conclude, seek medical advice before you start 'taking anything'!
Good luck, and keep smiling.
when i hear the hair and nails i think thyroid. i'm going to sound like a broken record but that TSH test is not reliable. Check out a site called stopthethyroidmadness. it's patient led. lots of people who were misdiagnosed for years. i believe the best test they recommend is T3.
imo it comes down to trying some stuff. probably a quality desiccated thyroid. unfortunately there has been some disruption in that space. get rec's on which brands are decent at the moment.
i was on desiccated thyroid a few years ago. i feel i started too low and never upped the amount. i didn't feel much of anything. i will probably have to return and thoroughly test this option again.
with thyroid i believe it's about treating symptoms and not labs. at least over at stop the thyroidmadness.
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