I'm currently taking 75mg Levothyroxine a day (since November)
My latest bloods are
TSH 1.96 (0.35-5.5)
Free T4 12.8 (10.0-19.8)
Ferritin 11.6 (10.0-291.0)
They've all come back as normal, I am definitely feeling better than I was so would you be happy with these?
My ferritin started at 8.8, then was 13.2 and now 11.6. Should that concern me??
Thanks for any advice
Yes Ferritin looks very low.
Do you have ranges?
Should be half way in range (usually that's around 70)
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
Is this how you did the test?
FT4 is low. Should be towards top of range. Suggests you need increase in dose
Should test FT3 - but NHS refuses in most cases
You need vitamin D, folate and ferritin tested
Ask GP to test these and full iron panel to check for Anaemia
Do you have high thyroid antibodies? Has GP tested? If not ask they are done too
Private tests are available
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.
Hi,
Yes I put the ranges next to the results. The ferritin range was 10.0-291.0
My gp won't test ft3. I've had other tests previously 3months ago and everything else was normal so they won't test those again
With a ferritin level that low, even though it's not below range, it is concerning and can indicate iron deficiency anaemia and a full blood count and iron panel should be done to confirm. If your GP wont do it then I would try and persuade a different GP to do so.
An iron status test (iron panel) with Medichecks is £39, sometimes on offer at £29 which is when I buy one and you have 6 months to use it. A FBC is the same price. Just in case you can't get them done and can find it within your budget to do yourself, both can be done by fingerprick.
Personally I never suggest iron supplements on low ferritin alone, there is too much else going on and needs to be checked. The only thing I do suggest to raise ferritin is eating liver.
My full blood count was all normal suzie
They won't do any more tests for me and unfortunately I can't afford private tests.
Ferritin is definitely too low GP should do full iron panel to check for Anaemia
humanbean and SeasideSusie may have some info to back this up
My full blood count is all normal
ThyroidProbs,
If you are still symptomatic there is scope for a dose increase to 100mcg to raise FT4 which is low in range.
The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.2 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email dionne.fulcher@thyroiduk.org if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.
Low ferritin can indicate iron deficiency anaemia. Ask your GP to do an iron panel and full blood count to check.
Thanks, I've had a full blood count done at the same time and that's all normal.
I do feel better so do you think my Levothyroxine still needs raising too 100?
Thyroidprobs,
If you feel well you don't need to increase dose to 100mcg.
Great thanks. I'll just go back regarding the ferritin then
Thyroidprobs,
If full blood count is normal you're unlikely to have iron deficiency anaemia but it may be useful to see whether iron is low and whether supplementing iron will be helpful.
This is my full blood count
Full blood count
Total white blood count 7.2 10*9/L [3.9 - 10.2]
Red blood cell count 4.70 10*12/L [3.9 - 5.2]
Haemoglobin concentration 131 g/L [120.0 - 156.0]
Haematocrit 0.418 L/L [0.355 - 0.455]
Mean cell volume 89.3 fL [80.0 - 99.0]
Mean cell haemoglobin level 27.9 pg [27.0 - 33.5]
Red blood cell distribution width 13.6 % [11.0 - 16.0]
Platelet count - observation 275 10*9/L [150.0 - 370.0]
Plateletcrit 0.230
Mean platelet volume 8.4 fL
Neutrophil count 4.31 10*9/L [1.5 - 7.7]
Lymphocyte count 2.28 10*9/L [1.1 - 4.5]
Monocyte count - observation 0.30 10*9/L [0.1 - 0.9]
Eosinophil count - observation 0.16 10*9/L [0.02 - 0.5]
Basophil count 0.06 10*9/L [0.0 - 0.2]
Thyroidprobs,
FBC is normal. Nothing in RBC to indicate iron deficiency anaemia.
'normal' is often a red herring. Some doctors will say normal when you are in range but again like your thyroid meds it's where in the range that is important. Have a search for SeasideSusie's posts re vits etc. Lots of good info on there.
Blood test results 
TEST RESULTS
Latest blood test results are depressing 
Test results
