The only result on there that relates to thyroid is the TSH. That is a good result, but it doesn't tell you very much. You need to see your FT4, FT3 and antibodies - TPO and Tg - to get a better idea of your thyroid status.
But, they're right about your ferritin being low!
You also need your vit B12 and folate tested. Low B12 causes symptoms that are very like low thyroid symptoms.
It does say on the paper biochemistry problem & to see gp which i will be ...il also be asking why platelet levels state long standing problem & why theyre dropping.
il ask about having folate & b12 checked too not sure why they havnt as i did tell them im having alot of joint pain & muscle fatigue.
Your MCV/MCH results don't appear to suggest iron deficiency anaemia and your haemoglobin is virtually mid-range, so maybe it's just your low ferritin that is a problem. For thyroid hormone to work (that's our own as well as replacement hormone) ferritin needs to be at least 70, preferably half way through range. Your GP may offer iron tablets, in which case take each one with 1000mg Vit C to aid absorption and help prevent constipation. You can also help raise your level by eating liver regularly, maximum 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content, and including lots of iron rich foods in your diet apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/in...
Vitamin D 42nmol
According to the Vit D Council, a level of 100-150nmol/L is recommended. Your GP may not offer to prescribe D3 so you should buy your own and take 5000iu daily and retest in 3 months. D3 softgels are probably the cheapest way (Doctor's Best D3) or you could go for an oral spray (BetterYou but that only comes in 3000iu and 1000iu doses).
Once the recommended level is reached then you'll need a maintenance dose which may be 2000iu daily, maybe more or less, maybe less in summer than winter, it's trial and error so it's recommended to retest once or twice a year to keep within the recommended range. You can do this with a private fingerprick blood spot test with City Assays vitamindtest.org.uk/
there are important cofactors needed when taking D3 as recommended by the Vit D Council -
D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems.
D3 and K2 are fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day, D3 four hours away from thyroid meds.
Magnesium helps D3 to work and comes in different forms, check to see which would suit you best and as it's calming it's best taken in the evening, four hours away from thyroid meds
she said low platelets is to do with the time the bloods spend in the tubes before being tested and nothing to be concerned about. in regards to TSH ...she said the lab would of checked antibodies if a abnormal tsh level showed up.
shes confirmed Vit D isnt optimal and is putting me on 25,000units a month of vit D for 3 months then will check again. she said its the low vit d thats causing joint pains and fatigue.
she said low platelets is to do with the time the bloods spend in the tubes before being tested and nothing to be concerned about
Well, I wonder why, when you google Low Platelets, there are lots of links which tell you that low platelets means a problem with blood clotting and bruising and can put someone at a higher risk for internal bleeding or other blood clotting and blood vessel-related problems.
she said the lab would of checked antibodies if a abnormal tsh level showed up.
You can have a normal TSH and still have antibodies. The TSH will get higher as the antibodies destroy more and more of the thyroid. If symptomatic then according to Dr Toft, leading endocrinologist and past president of the British Thyroid Association, starting Levothyroxine can "nip things in the bud".
Also, not having FT4 and FT3 means you haven't got the whole picture. You can have a low or normal TSH and if FT4 is low then that can indicate central hypothyroidism, but if FT4 isn't tested you'd never know.
shes confirmed Vit D isnt optimal and is putting me on 25,000units a month of vit D for 3 months then will check again
25,000iu monthly is 833iu daily, that's less than my summer maintenance dose and I have optimal Vit D level.
I don't think your GP is doing you any favours.
Same advice still stands:
You need a full thyroid panel - TSH, FT4, FT3, Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin antibodies.
Higher dose of Vit D as mentioned previously, along with cofactors mentioned.
Adderss low ferritin (you haven't said what your GP said about that).
doctor wasnt concerned at all with ferritin level. i did dicuss some of the above with her but was brushed off and as soon as i mentioned advice she wanted to know who why what where etc.
i do often get small pin prick bruises on my thighs and do bruise easily but never thought anything of it.
i cant afford to do a private test...hubby had to quit his job due to depression to support me with our 3 children 1 of which has additional needs & the other only 10 months.
we have tons of repairs that our housing are on our case to do ...
When your GP asked where you got your advice, you should have said "From NHS Choices recommended source of information and advice about thyroid disorders" - and that is the charity Thyroid UK which, as you probably know, this is their forum.
ferritin level 22ng (30 - 150)
This was your level on 8/5/18. It is not only low it is below range and if your doctor isn't concerned then she, and you, should be.
yeah, it seems il have to do a full thyroid panel private.
the gp may offer iron & vit d again.
i have an appointment next week so will speak to her especially regards the muscle fatigue & joint problems ...my elbows have been aching terribly on and off for days now ...only think i can liken it to is the ache i had when id fractured my wrist, the kind of radiating ache :/
Have you had thyroid antibodies tested? You really need both TPO and TG antibodies tested
Essential to test FT3 and FT4 as well as TSH
You need B12 and folate tested, especially as already have clear problems with vitamin D and ferritin being very low
If thyroid antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 80-90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's
Hashimoto's often affects the gut and can lead to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Gp wont test Thyroid any futher than TSH im told NHS dont do a full thyroid panel.
i cant afford a private just yet.
i do have tummy troubles always have ..even when younger, now its mainly unexplained nausea, bloating and gastritis.
il be asking why B12 & folate wasnt tested
funnily enough hashimotos is autoimmune...
my platelet levels have consistently always been lower than they should be and its noted its an ongoing .....low platelets are linked to autoimmune disorders.
Ask your GP for coeliac blood test as well as B12 and folate
Essential that vitamin D is retested too to check levels are rising
Many people on here find vitamin D tablets don't improve levels much as gut does not absorb
Better You vitamin D mouth spray is absorbed in mouth and often gives much better results. NHS won't prescribe as it's "too expensive " at £6 a bottle approx
Have you ever had thyroid antibodies tested? Check back through old results or get access online if possible to your old results
UK GP practices are all supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can make nominal charge for printing but many will do so for free (£10 max and can not charge at all after May 25th 2018)
If GP refuses to test thyroid antibodies then ask for referral to endocrinologist for investigation into autoimmune thyroid disease (don't call it Hashimoto's) and/or gastroenterologist for Coeliac investigation
never even crossed my mind to mention i was diagnosed with Raynauds Disease as a baby & was often wrapped up lots & was always having to wears hats ...id also had pysio as a young child due to the pins & needles sensations in my legs.
not so much now, the cold tends to trap blood in my fingers & feet causing a burning sensation, throbbing and slight swelling to my fingers so i usually have to take any rings off during the winter.
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.
All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting.
This gives highest TSH and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances too, especially gluten. So it's very important to get antibodies tested.
so ive just spoken with the GP for my blood results.
she said low platelets is to do with the time the bloods spend in the tubes before being tested and nothing to be concerned about. in regards to TSH ...she said the lab would of checked antibodies if a abnormal tsh level showed up.
shes confirmed Vit D isnt optimal and is putting me on 25,000units a month of vit D for 3 months then will check again. she said its the low vit d thats causing joint pains and fatigue.
That is all just a way of saying they won't spend the money
It's essential to test both antibodies if not been tested. Also folate and B12.
Like 1000's on here, looks like you are going to be forced to test privately
Improving extremely low ferritin and vitamin D are first steps
If vitamin D does not respond well to loading dose prescribed by GP, many find Better You vitamin D mouth spray gives good uptake, as avoids poor gut function.
Make sure GP retests vitamin D at the end of loading dose
Push for thyroid antibodies, coeliac, B12 and folate testing
Otherwise get tested privately
Thyroid Thursdays at Medichecks often has money off offers
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Trying to understand Various Blood Test Results
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