Ferritin - not testedFrom 8th September 2017 B12: 146 (115-1000) Folate: 5.1 (no average) Ferritin: 26 (no average)
Well, we can see that your B12 has deteriorated over the past 12 months. B12 and folate work together so we really need to know the reference range for the folate result because if it's deficient it would need treating. However, for now do you have any signs of B12 deficiency b12deficiency.info/signs-an... I think you would be better off posting these results on the Pernicious Anaemia Society for further advice. Quote your B12, folate and ferritin results and see what they say, then discuss with your GP.
I have read (but not researched so don't have links) that BCSH, UKNEQAS and NICE guidelines recommend:
"In the presence of discordance between test results and strong clinical features of deficiency, treatment should not be delayed to avoid neurological impairment."
And an extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:
"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".
"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."
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As for ferritin, the range is usally something like 13-150, or 30-200. Whichever it is, for thyroid hormone to work ferritin needs to be at least 70, preferably half way through range. You really need to know the range, because if you are below the bottom of the range you need an iron panel and full blood count to see if you have iron deficiency anaemia, and if you do it needs to be treated.
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As SlowDragon has said, you also really need Vit D so post that result when you get it. And you need antibodies testing.
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It's still not possible to say much about your thyroid results and dose of Levo until we know whether all your tests were done at the same time and under the same conditions.
As others have said, essential to know if you have high antibodies, i.e. Hashimoto's (also known as autoimmune thyroid disease). About 90% of hypothyroidism in UK is due to Hashimoto's.
If you have Hashimoto's then hidden food intolerances may be causing issues, most common by far is gluten. Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms. Very, very many of us here find it really helps and can slowly lower antibodies.
Never been told about fasting blood tests, or even under same conditions. I always take my levothyroxine in a morning and fit in my bloods before or after work, so times vary and what I’ve eaten vary too! Thank you for your help, I just want to start feeling human again, but what you’ve said so far makes sense. I will ask for my last antibodies results and post tomorrow, as think I’ve had them done.
Suggest you improve vitamins and perhaps run private tests your self after you get GP retests in 6 weeks
You have Hashimoto's- diagnosed by raised antibodies
With Hashimoto's then hidden food intolerances may be causing issues, most common by far is gluten. Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms. Very, very many of us here find it really helps and can slowly lower antibodies.
I’ve been given b12 50mcg - tablets to take once a day, but my doctor was quite evasive when I said I’d got advise from elsewhere. I asked which doctor in my surgery has a specialist interest in thyroid and we don’t have one locally, so I suggested he send me to see the specialist - he said we would see after my next bloods?!?
Doctor doesn’t see in my results that I have anemia but has given me ferrous fumarate - 3 times a day
I felt your advice has given me some confidence to stand up and get some confidence - very much appreciated
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Blue Horizon Thyroid 10 Results, Advice Please.
Posting recent results and question on T4
