Lab results

[Clairepaul3]

Hi I'm going to see an endocrinologist on thurs so I got a copy of my previous blood tests just want to know is my ferritin levels low they came in at 8 ng/ml(7-100) and vitamin b12 is 418 ng/l(160-600)

[Hidden]

Your ferritin level is virtually at the bottom of the range, if I'm reading this correctly. It is tanked. You must be feeling dreadful.

Your B12 is not too bad but I think most recommend a level above 500.

[humanbean]

You should ask for an iron infusion. You've got almost zero iron stores. If he refuses (pray he doesn't) ask for an iron panel which should include serum iron, total iron binding capacity, and transferrin saturation, and also ask for a full blood count. If he agrees to these then make sure to specify that you want copies of the results including the reference ranges. And ask him to record in your notes that a copy should be made available to you.

If he agrees to the blood tests, don't take any iron supplements until after the blood is taken, and try to arrange the blood tests for as early in the morning as possible.

I've never seen such an outrageously low reference range for ferritin before.

Read the info on this page about fasting and iron blood tests :

nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1018.aspx?...

Iron blood test

Iron blood tests are usually taken in the morning before you eat anything. You should also avoid taking iron pills or tablets for 24 hours before your test. Your body absorbs iron very quickly from food or pills, so this can raise your iron levels and affect the test results.

Iron blood tests help diagnose conditions such as iron deficiency anaemia (lack of red blood cells caused by low iron levels).

[Clairepaul3 in reply to humanbean]

Hi thanks for replying back,I feel so angry at my doctor I got them tests done 4 weeks ago why hasn't she done anything to help me I have been feeling so sick the last few months,I'm so fed up with it all they think just by giving u your thyroid med(eltroxin) that your going to be fine.well I'm obviously not:(I am just looking through my notes I got a full blood count done on the end of December not sure what they mean also will have to ask for an iron panel

[Hidden in reply to Clairepaul3]

could you post yr fbc results? The top of the ferritin range recommended by the World Health Org is 150, v interesting that this lab has taken it further down. must be some new studies out. Anyway, your problem isn't how high to go at the moment, but how to get off the floor. Nutrient deficiencies are rarely single. Are you taking a vit d supplement?

[Clairepaul3 in reply to Hidden]

I have started taking a vitamin d supplement a couple of weeks ago I'm just slightly low on vit d,there's a lot on the full blood count list is there certain ones I should just post.thanks

[Collie_S]

Hi Clairepaul,

Ferritin looks very low to me, also your b12 could do with an increase although endo will probably tell you it's fine. Mine was 294 and I had neurological symptoms started supplementing with 5000mcgs of methylcobalamin sublingually a day and last test was 1600 with symptoms gone.

[Clairepaul3 in reply to Collie_S]

I was getting b12 injections for a while but not anymore,I have been looking back at my blood results and in sept my ferritin was 5(7-100) and b12 was 801(160-600)I just feel I'm all over the place,it will be interesting to see what the endo has to say.

[Hidden in reply to Collie_S]

Thanks Collie, that is such a useful fact. I have noticed that when I take 1000 ug methylb12 before bed it seems to reduce the pins and needles, I would never have thought of upping it so high ... will give it a go, bit by bit rise.

[Hidden]

What's your haemoglobin level from the fbc, and were any of them at the very top or bottom of the ranges?