Tuesday's Tips

[DonnaBoll]

Two of the common conditions associated with PBC are thyroid conditions and with those that cause anemia. This is because they both have shared genetic factors that affect our immune response.

An underactive thyroid is caused by an autoimmune response to the gland itself.

The anemias commonly found are pernicious anemia, celiac disease, and hemolytic types.

[Ochredreams]

That's really interesting as I had to take folic acid a few months ago as my blood test showed my levels were low. I always thought folic acid was just for during pregnancy but I was wrong 😁My thyroid come back as a normal level but just on the cusp of it being abnormal. I was told by another doctor (not from my surgery) that another routine test should be done as it could be abnormal and they need to catch it in time.

I'm due a check up soon so I will have to ask.

Thanks Donna and happy Wednesday everyone ❤️

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Ochredreams]

A thyroid panel includes a TSH, T3 and T4, and thyroid antibodies. Check to see what you have done.

[Ochredreams in reply to DonnaBoll]

I'm due a GP appointment in a few weeks so I'll ask the nurse to go through it with me 😊

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Ochredreams]

Always good to have them all reviewed with you.

[Giraffe44]

Hi Donna

Thanks for the post, very interesting. I have low ferritin levels but no obvious cause of anaemia , despite various tests. Is it possible that those of us with pbc just don’t absorb vitamins and minerals very well. Yout thoughts?

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to Giraffe44]

I know right after my transplant I needed to take Vit A and D because he said I don't absorb those vitamins as well now. Many of those I know with PBC have their vitamin levels checked every few years or so.. and take vitamins accordingly if they are needed. Taking them needlessly, they are just sent out thru our urine. Part of my regular lab work is a simple CBC - Complete Blood Count. Everyone should have one regularly with their lab work. It just measures your hemoglobin and hematocrit -- easy indications to see if things need 'tending to'. Vitamins to be checked are A, D,C K, and B complex. A CMP (comprehensive metabolic profile) should be done as well to check electrolytes, glucose and liver enzymes

[iagra]

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in 90s. The first signs of PBC in bloodwork appeared 10 years later, with ALP hovering above the normal range. I was officially diagnosed with PBC in 2016. I always thought that these two conditions had a common source, my auto-immune system. I have also chronic candida since 2017, which I am sure has the same origin. Thanks, Donna, illuminating this aspect.

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to iagra]

I think we are only at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our immune system.