Latest Results and Consult with Hematologist an... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

140,948 members166,085 posts

Latest Results and Consult with Hematologist and Endo

MrsBeasley profile image
5 Replies

Ferritin 9 (20-160)

B12 247 (153-655)

25 Hydroxyvitamin D 26 (75-150)

Iron 7.6 (10.6-33.8)

Iron Saturation 0.09 (.13-.50)

Iron Binding 63 (24-61)

The hematologist has ordered iron infusions every 2 weeks for 6 weeks. But here's the rub - the hospital can turn me down because my hemoglobin is not below 10. And there's an iron shortage so they are reserving it for those truly anemic. If they refuse me, I can pay myself but it's very expensive and I am not working due to my health. I've been taking ferrous fumerate 2 and 3 times per day since November 2015 and my numbers don't move much. I had my ferritin up to 16 in march but it fell to 9 in April.

The endo put me on a prescription of 50,000 IU of vitamin D per week for 8 weeks, then said take 2,000 IU per day after that and retest vitamin D in 6 months. He also said to take 1,200 mcg B12 sublingual per day and 1 mg folic acid per day. The lab here no longer tests folate so he couldn't order that but says it goes hand in hand with b12.

I have an MRI for the adenoma on my pituitary at the end of the month to see if it's grown. Then we will talk about thyroid meds in July. He wants to see if my symptoms improve with the iron, if I can get it.

My last thyroid tests were in February

TSH 0.88 (.32-5.04)

Free T4 12.8 (10.6-19.7)

Free T3 3.52 (3.00-5.9)

The hematologist and endo are actually working together which is refreshing. I'm going to be frustrated if the hospital refuses the iron infusions because I feel like rubbish.

Written by
MrsBeasley profile image
MrsBeasley
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
5 Replies
Katepots profile image
Katepots

Woah your levels are so low, you must be feeling terrible.

Ferritin, iron, vitamin D, B12 all need supplementing. Hopefully the hospital won't refuse you. Lay on how sick you are, make up stuff, say you keep fainting...anything to get treatment!

B12 needs to be 600 or over under 500 can start to cause neurological changes. In Japan they start to supplement patients at 500

Vitamin D around 60

Glad this endo seems on the ball though.

HLAB35 profile image
HLAB35

My GP hadn't let on that I had low iron / B12 for years (throughout my 20's and 30's) without letting me know. It was only after investigating thyroid that I actually got the numbers and they had been pretty poor (to put it mildly). I wish they gave out 'amber warnings'.

I've just discovered a fancy new iron supplement that appears to be better absorbed as it contains cofactors and enzymes. It's expensive though. The 'interesting' added ingredients are riboflavin and betaine hcl. I looked it up and indeed, riboflavin up-regulates iron uptake, so it could just be that we all need more riboflavin if we're on iron supplements.

lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vit...

With regards to taking folic acid - I highly recommend taking methylfolate as it's far more easily taken up by the body and facilitates the uptake of b12. Blood levels are not the same as cellular levels. Folic acid will make it to the blood, but may not make it into the cells as easily (see link).

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply toHLAB35

HLAB35,

Folic acid is fine for most people unless they have a methylation problem when they may do better on the more expensive methylfolate.

HLAB35 profile image
HLAB35 in reply toClutter

The same applies to b12...

I have a methylation problem!

dtate2016 profile image
dtate2016

Cabbage has been shown (anecdotally) to remove iron from blood (both cooked and uncooked. My husband has the opposite problem - too much iron or iron overload. Eating cabbage brings his blood levels way down in a hurry. If you eat cabbage, you might try an experiment for 90 days, eliminating cabbage, or any cabbage-like vegetable (Brussel Sprouts, Cauliflower, etc.) from your diet.

Here is the site: peoplespharmacy.com/2010/03...

Be sure and scroll all the way down to see the results from many individuals. It takes a while to see results - at least 90 days.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Finally Got Iron and Vit D Tested but Endo Backtracking. Opinions?

I finally got the endo to do a vitamin d test and my GP did a full iron panel but not folate. Baby...
MrsBeasley profile image

Latest blood results. Worried!

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE *5.36 mIU/L (0.27 -4.20) FREE THYROXINE 20.3...
ceedee81 profile image

Latest Results Advice Please

Inflammation CRP HS - 3.39 mg/L (Range: 0 - 5) Iron Status Ferritin 72.8 ug/L (Range: 13 - 150)...

Latest Results.

Hi The past year I have been suffering with hives which mainly come when out in the cold. I have...
lucylocks profile image

Help with latest results

Good morning all, I am still not feeling great. I have managed to get a copy of my latest results...
vickylou36 profile image

Moderation team

See all
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.