Below range Hgb but 70 ferritin??

[ter1461]

Hi. I've been on 1 grain NDT for just over four months now and doing well with my hypothyroid symptoms gone. Depression Snd other symptoms have now returned some and on last full blood count my haemoglobin was below range but ferritin was ok at 70. Could this be causing issue? Also how can my Hgb be so low but ferritin ok?

[Clutter]

Ter1461,

Is the rest of your red blood cell count in range?

[humanbean]

It sounds likely that you have Anaemia of Chronic Disease.

irondisorders.org/anemia-of...

(Ignore the adverts in the above link - the article is worth reading)

Read page 8 in this link :

irondisorders.org/Websites/...

[researcherUK]

To answer your question, "Also how can my Hgb be so low but ferritin ok"?

To make haemoglobin, in addition to iron, you need copper, and you need Vitamins B6, B9 and B12, and Vitamin A.

Vitamin A helps stems cells develop into red blood cells, ensuring that your body can produce enough red blood cells to replace those that die due to age. It also makes sure your developing red blood cells have access to the iron needed for hemoglobin.

Most hypothyroidism sufferers are deficient in Vitamin A.

T3 and vitamin A have an important relationship; so, in order for Vitamin A to be metabolised and do its many jobs, your T3 levels ought to be optimal.

In conclusion, you may need:

1/ Based on your recurrent symptoms and the above explanation, perhaps a dose increase with NDT is due (usually done based on your previous blood test results with increments of 1/4 grain every week to 10 days, until all symptoms are resolved and/or you've reached 2 grains, then wait 8-10 weeks before the next test)

2/ to top up all of your other vitamins by taking a good-complex, plus additional B12, if your blood test is showing a B12 deficiency, and Vitamin A, that could come from Cod Liver oil.

3/ have you been supplementing with iron and/or zinc?

Copper, zinc, and iron have a special relationship and need a good balance. According to the US National Academy of Sciences guideline that for anyone who takes an iron supplement of 30 mg or more per day, under the supervision of a physician, they should balance it with about 15 mg zinc and 2 mg of copper.