do i need iron ? ferritin 38 folate 8.7 b12 638... - Thyroid UK
do i need iron ? ferritin 38 folate 8.7 b12 638 nurse says all normal but calcium 2.7 retest in 6 weeks
Your ferritin levels need to be above 70, but preferable nearer 90 for your body to be converting T4 to T3 effectively and then for the T3 to be transported into the cells. Here is an extract of a paper which explains it.
Iron deficiency is shown to significantly reduce T4 to T3 conversion, increase reverse T3 levels, and block the thermogenic (metabolism boosting) properties of thyroid hormone (238-242). Thus, iron deficiency, as indicated by an iron saturation below 25 or a ferritin below 70, will result in diminished intracellular T3 levels. Additionally, T4 should not be considered adequate thyroid replacement if iron deficiency is present.
Your calcium is high - have you had your parathyroid levels checked and if you are taking any VitD supplements I would stop if I were you as the more vitD you take the more calcium you body will make.
Hope this helps.
Moggie x
Hi Moggie thanks for your reply i am not on vit D the only thing i take is armour i have just recently started in may as my health has got worse over the years on levo i am trying to take charge of my health and have been searching on line for answers i dont even know if i am taking armour correctly but i suppose its trial and error at the moment i asked doc for vit d test and iron to see what levels were as i read that sometimes ndt doesnt work right if you have iron or vitamin issues and the results i posted are what i got from nurse do you know of anyone ever getting a high calcium reading from taking ndt i am thankful for your reply as i dont know who else to ask as my doc doesnt know anything much about ndt
I don't know if you've seen this link which may be helpful re Armour:-
The first thing I would be doing is asking my GP to check my parathyroid levels as the parathyroid controls calcium levels and indirectly controls VitD levels. I have a site in mind where you might find the info but will have a look first.
Moggie x
found this little bit.
Thyroid Medication
Thyroid medication may be necessary for some people who have low thyroid function or who have had their thyroid gland surgically removed. The medication replaces the normal hormones secreted by the thyroid. Although thyroid medication will not normally cause high calcium levels, Drugs.com notes that in women, long-term therapy or high doses may decrease bone mineral density and result in a higher than normal serum calcium.
Read more: livestrong.com/article/4809...
Moggie x
thankyou so much i will get back to my doc and get the calcium issue sorted and the iron once again thanks for your help
You're welcome but don't forget the parathyroid test.
Moggie x
Moggy sorry to ask, but you say calcium is high? Do you no what calcium level is considered Norma??
Hi Moggie - my ferritin is stuck at 49. I've been taking an iron supp by bio care which is a good make but can't shift it up. Can you reccomend a good supplement? Two sachets of spatone? Many thanks, jane
I usually take it before bed so its far away from thyroid meds. I take 1000mg of vit c at same time but in capsule form. I see spatone do sachets with apple juice and added vit c now. The moment I take iron I always get a bit constipated which is a nuisance. I can probably sort that with magnesium. Thanks for your help, Jane
You really need to take iron supplements with a meal as taking it on an empty stomach can do damage to the lining of your gut. At what time do you take your thyroid meds? If you take them first thing in the morning can you not take your iron at lunchtime, or possible change your thyroid medication time to bedtime as taking this on an empty stomach is important. The iron supplements I am taking are Ferrous Sulphate 200mcg's and I get them through my GP but I'm sure you can buy them over the counter.
Just need to ask if you are keeping your thyroid meds well away from all food and drink (except water) for at least two hours.
Moggie x
p.s. If you use the reply to this button under my name then I should get an email to say you have responded.
Can't work out the new site so I apologise if this is not getting to you directly!
I take meds first thing then wait at least 1-2 sometimes 3 hours before ingesting anything other than water. I will take iron ow with food as you suggest. I read that spatone is very easily absorbed so one sachets is equivalent to 200mg of ferrous. Think ill give it a try. I'm trying to heal my gut with diet as have obvious absorption problems. I'm going to do the autoimmune paleo protocol and see if that improves things. I'm just dairy and gluten free at present!
