Where do we go from here.....Continued - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,137 members160,814 posts

Where do we go from here.....Continued

JG1985 profile image
6 Replies

Hey guys

So, following on from my first post (healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... My partner had a the results back on her extended thyroid blood tests. Despite specifically asking to test FT3 & FT4 we were horrified after waiting so long to find that they had only tested Serum Folate and Vit B12 (and TSH again!).

Serum Folate level was 9.2 ng/ml

Vit B12 level was 203 pg/ml

The nurse said these were 'normal' but after trying to find out more about the range of these tests it sounds like the bottom of the range is 200 pg/ml for B12. Obviously I'm not a doctor, but it sounds like she is pretty close to being deficient in B12. We haven't arranged a follow up appointment yet with the doctor to discuss as we want to be as informed as we can to avoid him trying to palming us off with anti-depressants again.

The symptoms of B12 deficiency seem fairly similar to those of hypothyroidism, so I wondered if anyone had any experience in taking B12 supplements and what effect, if any this had?

Thanks as always for everyone's help on this.

Regards

James

Written by
JG1985 profile image
JG1985
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
6 Replies
Clutter profile image
Clutter

JG1985, B12 203 is very low indeed. Is your partner vegetarian or vegan?

JG1985 profile image
JG1985 in reply to Clutter

Thanks for your message! No she isn't, in actual fact we have both been on a health kick over the last few years with a diet consisting primarily of meat, eggs and veg. It's confusing because these are the food groups that apparently provide B12

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to JG1985

James, In that case your partner should ask her GP to test intrinsic factor and gastric parietal cell antibodies to rule out pernicious anaemia before she supplements. If she has PA she will need regular lifelong injections to prevent B12 deficiency.

JG1985 profile image
JG1985 in reply to Clutter

Thank you! I will make sure she brings it up. Our doctor isn't very helpful so I think we may need to start looking for a new one.

JG1985 profile image
JG1985 in reply to Clutter

Out of interest, do you know whether hot flushes and increased heart rate would be caused by PA?

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to JG1985

JG, I don't know enough about it to comment. You'll get more information from healthunlocked.com/pasoc

Your partner's TSH was 3.56 recently I think. It's not over the range where NHS will make a hypothyroid diagnosis but it's certainly high enough for her to be symptomatic which can include palpitations and hot flushes.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/diagno...

Ferritin and vitamin D are also often low/deficient when people are becoming hypothyroid. Low ferritin can cause palpitations, and both can cause fatigue and musculoskeletal pain.

You may also like...

Latest Test Results - Where do I go from here?

plodding on, testing, increasing Levo, testing, working on vitamins and minerals, testing,...

Wondering Where To Go From Here

raising my dose but my FT3 went over-range. I have also done a Blue Horizon genetics test,which...

Results are in but where to go from here please?

Thyroglobulin abs H230.0 <115 Vit B12 607 consider reducing dose >725 Serum Folate 25.49...

Where do I go from here?

discuss with my doctor. By chance I saw a different GP in May who listened and ordered blood tests....

Where do I go from here?

could be indicative of hypothyroidism. No other test were carried out for thyroid that I could...