Ferritin levels

[Ninrobs76]

Does anyone else suffer from heaviness in chest with low ferritin ? I feel so much worse after my period for at least ten days ?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How low is your ferritin and what has GP prescribed

If you add your results and ranges for

TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG antibodies

Ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D

What dose of Levothyroxine are you on and how long on current dose

[Ninrobs76 in reply to SlowDragon]

Ferritin when lasted tested was at 14 told to take ferrous sulphate for a month and then just when on period ! Going to see how I feel this month and then ask them to test again ! Only just started on thyroid meds last week low dose at min again to be re tested in a few weeks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ninrobs76]

Ferritin needs to be at least 70 for thyroid hormones to work well, sounds like you need to ask GP to retest and supplement a lot more than that

presumably you were only taking one tablet a day?

To increase if very low you really need 2 or 3 tablets ferrous fumerate a day (each taken with 1000mcg vitamin C to help absorption) or iron infusion.

Tablets can take months to push level up

Detailed advice from SeasideSusie here

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

What were your thyroid results that caused GP to prescribe levo. Essential to know if you have raised antibodies.

Is low dose 25mcg or 50mcg daily?

[Ninrobs76 in reply to SlowDragon]

Currently on 25mcg .. assume will retest at same time as my liver enzyme which was also raised ! Gave me no idea of levels just told me thyroid level was creeping up ?!!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ninrobs76]

Always ask for copies of blood tests

We are legally entitled to copies of own blood test results

You may be able to view test results online - ring and ask about this. If you can then apply for online access to your account. You may need enhanced access for blood test results online

All GP practices are supposed to offer this, in reality very few have blood test results available online.

If not then ask for print out of recent tests. Pick up in a day or two. They may make a nominal charge for paper.

You don't need to give reason why. But you can say just for your own records

25mcg is only half the normal starter dose.

Get bloods retested after 6 weeks

Make sure to get vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin tested as well

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results