Vitamin levels: FERRITIN 32 (15 - 15... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,658 members161,431 posts

Vitamin levels

Kezza18 profile image
11 Replies

FERRITIN 32 (15 - 150) Haematology want this over 50, current GP ignoring haematology's recommendation for this. Given iron infusion in 2016 but it only raised ferritin and did not raise iron, transferrin, haemoglobin or MCV very much. I am on 1 iron tablet a day and this has been since February 2017 when complete blood count showed return of iron anaemia. I am hoping to be referred back to haematology for further iron infusion and I have reported the GP for failing to act on haematology letter. Ferritin has dropped from 64 to 32 within the space of 2 months. I do have heavy periods, too.

FOLATE 2.2 (2.5 - 19.5) Started on folic acid once a day.

VITAMIN B12 201 (190 - 900) Given B12 injections for continuing low B12 on 1000mg methylcobalamin and low B12 symptoms. Have only had 1 injection so far, they are every 3 months.

VITAMIN D 25 OH 60.3 (50 - 75 suboptimal) Taking 3000iu oral spray by Better You with K2-MK7 since September 2017. Haematology have recommended GP to refer me back to them if vitamin D is constantly under 75 - which it is. GP insists vitamin D level is better than most people's in the UK and that it is normal.

Thank you for any advice, much appreciated. :)

Written by
Kezza18 profile image
Kezza18
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
11 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Kezza18

There's not a lot to say, all your deficiencies/low levels are being dealt with and you seem to be very much on top of it.

Levels to aim for

Ferritin - at least 70 for thyroid hormone to work

Folate - at least half way through range

B12 - top of range

Vit D - 100-150nmol/L according to the Vit D Council

As you have trouble raising and keeping a good level, and because you have Hashi's, it's likely that you have gut/absorption problems which need addressing. Check out this reply by SlowDragon near the end of this thread, links and information that will help.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Kezza18 profile image
Kezza18 in reply to SeasideSusie

Thank you. I feel like I am being demanding with the GP about the vitamin D and ferritin levels and I have no idea why they are ignoring what the haematologist has been recommending.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Kezza18

Kezza

Why should you? Your doctor is there to help with health problems. If Haematology have set levels then your GP should act upon them, they are the specialists he is a generalist, specialist trumps generalist. If he wont do as the Haematologist asks then get back to the consultant and tell him.

Kezza18 profile image
Kezza18 in reply to SeasideSusie

I will do this. Thank you :)

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Kezza18

You either need another iron infusion or increase in iron supplements to 2 or 3 times per day

Eating liver once a week should help too, or liver pate

Heavy periods are classic sign of being hypothyroid, so hopefully this will improve as dose of Levothyroxine is increased

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

Kezza18 profile image
Kezza18 in reply to SeasideSusie

Also I have been told a good B Complex is what I need?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Kezza18

Kezza

Yes a good B complex is a good idea to taken when supplementing B12 as it balances all the B vitamins. Look at Thorne Basic B (1 capsule) or Igennus Super B (2 tablets), both contain the correct form of active ingredients.

Kezza18 profile image
Kezza18 in reply to SeasideSusie

Thank you, I have placed an order for them through Amazon. They should arrive tomorrow in the post. :)

Ari3 profile image
Ari3 in reply to SeasideSusie

Hello suesie,

If iam Hashimotos and hypothyroid what my serum iron should be if mine is 19.4 (5.8-34.5) ferritin 74 .should I increase my iron bit more than that? Thank you

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Ari3

Ari3

These are optimal results for an iron panel

rt3-adrenals.org/Iron_test_...

Serum iron should be 55-70% through range, yours is approx 47%, ferritin needs to be 70 for thyroid hormone to work. I don't think your results are bad enough to supplement with iron tablets. But I am not an iron expert so you might want to start your own thread to ask your question and other members who know more about iron may have a different idea and can comment.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

You should have loading doses of B12 initially, this is several injections over several days until symptoms improve

Gambit62 or Marz - may have some advice on that

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

Vitamin D, many of us find vitamin D mouth spray is very good as avoids poor gut function of Hashimoto's

Are you taking any vitamin D at moment? You might need 2000-3000iu to improve levels up to around 100nmol. Then trial and error what each person needs to take for maintenance dose

Ideally test twice yearly via vitamindtest.org.uk £29

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels then 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.

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

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Dose of Levothyroxine should be increased in 25mcg steps (retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase) until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

You may also like...

Vitamin/mineral levels

Dec-2017 Ferritin 60 (15 - 150) Folate 2.3 (2.5 - 19.5) Vitamin B12 325 (190 - 900) Vitamin D...

Vitamin and mineral levels

Dec 2017 - Ferritin 62 (15 - 150) Folate 2.1 (2.5 - 19.5) Vitamin B12 302 (190 - 900) Vitamin D...

Vitamin and mineral levels

severe 25 - 50 deficient 50 - 75 suboptimal >75 adequate) Vitamin B12 245 (190 - 900)

Vitamin/mineral levels

deficiency thanks Ferritin 51 (30 - 400) Folate 2.6 (4.6 - 18.7) Vitamin B12 228 (190 - 900)...

vitamin and mineral levels

december 2017. many thanks for any advice. ferritin 64 (30 - 400) folate 2.3 (2.5 - 19.5) vitamin...