Further to my recent post/2

[loobilou]

SeasideSusie (and anyone else!) I now have my test results from medichecks and I seem to be 'normal'! Here are the comments along with the results below:

All of your thyroid hormones are normal and your thyroid antibodies are also normal. This indicates that your thyroid is functioning appropriately.

Your levels of vitamin B12 and folate are normal.

Your CRP level is normal, indicating normal levels of inflammation in the body.Your ferritin level is slightly elevated but this is not clinically significant and can be down to dietary iron intake or iron supplements.

This doesn't explain my various symptoms so I'm not entirely sure this is the result I wanted! Though isn't the TSH high??

[Angel_of_the_North]

Your TSH is higher than average, but OK. Your B12 and folate are poor, which could well be causing symptoms.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Loobilou

As AOTN has said, your TSH is higher than one would expect to see in a normal healthy person. One would expect it to be below 2 so it is starting to show signs of struggling.

Your FT4 is good but your conversion ratio isn't particularly good. Good conversion takes place when FT4: FT3 ratio is 4:1 or less. Yours is 4.4 : 1 Supplementing with selenium L-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can help conversion.

B12 is low, it should be around 900-1000. Check for signs of deficiency here b12deficiency.info/signs-an... and if you have any then post on the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum healthunlocked.com/pasoc

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."

Folate should be at least half way through it's range.

The doctor's comments are generic and follow the same line as any NHS doctor, ie if it falls within range then it's 'normal', bit if you read posts on here you will know that doesn't mean optimal.

[loobilou in reply to SeasideSusie]

@SeasideSusie Thank you! What would you suggest for B12 deficiency? I think you said in my previous post... Maybe I should look there. Thanks so much x

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to loobilou]

Your B12 has dropped considerably since your previous post when you have your July result of 568. The range is slightly different but not enough for the difference in results.

With your current level of 328, personally I would take 5000mcg sublingual methylcobalamin lozenges, finish the bottle then change to 1000mcg as a maintenance dose. Also, you need the B Complex mentioned in that thread.

[loobilou in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you @SeasideSusie. I've got the complex coming tomorrow. Is there a brand of the lozenges you'd recommend? They seem to vary hugely in cost. Many thanks! X

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to loobilou]

Solgar was very popular until it became ridiculously expensive. Take a look at Jarrows which some members use bigvits.co.uk/product.php?p... I've not used that brand, and I don't know how that price compares with other online stores. Sublingual is best as it's better absorbed, it bypasses the stomach.

[loobilou in reply to SeasideSusie]

This is the closest

amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0013O...

[loobilou in reply to loobilou]

Oh I see cytoplan are selling it, maybe that's a better option?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to loobilou]

I use Cytoplan but it's only 1000mcg

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to loobilou]

Even with £2.99 shipping BigVits is cheaper (I use BV a lot, they are very good).