My results came back "normal no action", but I wonder if supplementing may be beneficial?
Serum iron level: 14umol/L (9.00-30.00 umol/L)
Serum transferrin: 2.6 g/L (2.00-3.60g/L)
Transferrin saturation index: 22% (15.00-45.00%)
I still feel so tired all the time! Any advice would be appreciated.
Do you have a ferritin result as well?
No. I specifically asked for this to be tested, but it seems GP just asked for serum iron and FBC.
Serum iron level: 14umol/L (9.00-30.00 umol/L)
Serum transferrin: 2.6 g/L (2.00-3.60g/L)
Transferrin saturation index: 22% (15.00-45.00%)
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Information on optimum iron levels is given here :
1) rt3-adrenals.org/Iron_test_...
And additional information on factors affected by different kinds of anaemia can be found here (see the table at the bottom of the page) :
2) irondisorders.org/Websites/...
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Your serum iron is approx 24% of the way through the range, but needs to be between 55% and 70% of the way through the range.
So you need to raise your serum iron to 20.55 - 23.7umol/L
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Serum transferrin is 37.5% of the way through the range, which is a bit low in my opinion.
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Your transferrin saturation index is 22%.
Link 1 above says :
Saturation
• optimal is 35 to 45%
• higher end for men
• to calculate divide serum iron by TIBC
• minimum saturation of 30% required to successfully treat with T3
• Low, beginning doses of T3 can be started with saturation at 25%
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To raise your serum iron and transferrin saturation you need to supplement iron. However, it makes things difficult that you have no ferritin level.
If your ferritin was high in range or above it, despite your other iron measures being low, it indicates that your body is keeping your levels low for a reason, and that reason is usually infection or inflammation. Under those circumstances you wouldn't be advised to supplement iron until the inflammation and/or infection was repaired.
If your ferritin was low in range or below it then you would be safe to go ahead and supplement iron.
Another complication comes if you have low iron and also have low vitamin B12 together which is very common in people with thyroid problems. If you look at link 2 that I gave above you can see that many things which are low in iron deficiency anaemia are high in B12 deficiency anaemia and vice versa. If you have both conditions in the same body you might have results which look more normal than you would expect and which are hiding a severe iron deficiency and/or a severe B12 deficiency.
Your FBC results will have included some values which might be helpful, e.g. MCV, RDW, RBC, Hb. But without knowing your ferritin and CRP (C-Reactive Protein, which indicates inflammation and/or infection when raised), it is difficult to know what you should do for the best.
If you wanted to know more about your vitamins, ferritin, CRP and thyroid, and if you can afford it, then I would definitely recommend you pay for some private blood tests, specifically this one :
bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/T...
For more info on private testing generally, see this link :
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
For help on performing finger-prick (microtainer) testing, see this link :
bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/W...
If you know someone who can take blood for you then use vacutainer testing, because then you are guaranteed to have enough blood for the test.
If you want info on supplementing iron, and the options available, then let us know.
Please bear in mind that I am not medically trained.
It might not just be your iron, have you had your B's and vit D level checked by the doc. I have massive iron issues and anemia. I get IV iron because I dont absorb it, but along with it I dont absorb my B's and D is always low. I now take high D daily, and B12 Shotes 2x a month. Makes a big difference.
Remember not to begin to supplement with B12 before you take a test for it.. or the test will be pointless.
humanbean and Hidden Thank you for your advice.
I have been supplementing B12 for about 3 weeks, and feel better for it (I think). Do you know long should I leave off it before a private blood test? Or will the test be "skewed" anyway? I'm not too bothered as I would also be interested to see what else is going on - maybe if I do the test correctly this time, it will show I need more Levothyroxine. At least I will get to know T3 and ferritin results, and both lots of antibodies. Have been on 50mcg of Levo since I was diagnosed 15 months ago, and felt well for the first 10 months or so.
I don't know the answer on b12, the PA forum might. But my daughter was supplementing heavily in June, none through the summer hols, tested at 159 ie, insufficient, in early October. So 12 weeks off definitely does it.
Hello Jannie1957,,,, have you considered taking a good B group? with maybe some zinc,,following the guidance on the bottle,,,,also have a banana a day to help your potassium level,,,,,I would not take any more iron supplements as this might not be needed,,,,,and just the recommended amount of vit C,,,,taking things slowly will give your body a chance to make best use of the supplements you choose to take,,,,ttfn from Karen.
Yes, supplementing Bs, D and C. Also eating bananas. Yes, I agree I shouldn't take iron at the moment (especially as I have horrendous constipation anyways!)
I think humanbean will prove right. If she does, don't take ferrous sulphate, which often gives constipation, try iron bisglycinate or ferrous fumerate.
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