Thyroid Check Ultravit

[Mugswell]

Hi

Following your advice to get a full thyroid/vitamin panel, I now have the results of the test. I have also included the commentary from the doctor as there are some interesting findings:

ENDOCRINOLOGY

Thyroid Function

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE 2.15 mIU/L 0.27 - 4.20

FREE THYROXINE 14.600 pmol/L 12.00 - 22.00

FREE T3 4.99 pmol/L 3.10 - 6.80

THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODY 58.000 IU/mL 0.00 - 115.00

THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES <9.0 IU/mL 0.00 - 34.00

HAEMATOLOGY

Vitamins

ACTIVE B12 121.000 pmol/L 37.50 - 188.00

FOLATE (SERUM) 17.47 ug/L 3.89 - 26.80

25 OH VITAMIN D 81.8 nmol/L 50.00 - 200.00

BIOCHEMISTRY

Inflammation Marker

CRP - HIGH SENSITIVITY *6.12 mg/l 0.00 - 5.00

Iron Status FERRITIN *244 ug/L 13.00 - 150.00

I am pleased to report that all your results for your thyroid profile are within the normal ranges. Your thyroid hormones are normal as are your thyroid antibodies revealing no evidence of autoimmune thyroid disease.

You have normal vitamin B12 levels.

You have normal levels of folate.

Your vitamin D level is normal.

Your CRP level is high. This may indicate increased inflammation and/or infection within the body. If you are experiencing pain, fever or other symptoms that suggest infection or inflammation then I recommend that you discuss this further with your GP.

The type of CRP test that you have had is one which can also indicate future risk of cardiovascular disease. I recommend repeating this test in 6-8 weeks to see whether it remains above 3. If it does then I recommend that you take a more aggressive approach to managing other cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diet, smoking and exercise levels.

You have high iron stores. This is likely to be due to a high dietary intake of iron or taking iron supplements. If you are taking supplements I recommend decreasing your intake. To exclude iron overload I recommend an iron deficiency check which will look at your other iron markers and help us to work out whether there may be iron overload.

This was a fasting blood test done in the morning.

Any thoughts or feedback would be very welcome to help me decide what my next course of action should be.

Many thanks for your help

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you currently on Levothyroxine or trying to get diagnosed?

If on Levothyroxine you are clearly under medicated

If trying to get diagnosed, it's not a nice clear cut result

Antibodies are not high

FT4 is on low side but still within range

FT3 is similar

TSH is mid range

A scan of thyroid might be useful

But you're going to struggle to get anyone to consider that there's a thyroid issue

Your vitamins are all very impressive. Do you supplement?

Ferritin slightly high. Ask GP for full iron panel.

Slight consideration of hemochromatosis. Are you of Celtic descent?

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-...

CRP - have you had recent infection?

[Mugswell in reply to SlowDragon]

Many thanks for your reply.

I am trying to investigate why I really struggle to lose weight, feel constantly tired and there are some days when my joints ache so much I have to take pain killers to move. I do have a history of osteoarthritis and have had two hip replacements, but I don't think the aching joints can be attributed to this as the pain is not constant as it was with my hips.

I have gone down the thyroid route to see if there is something amiss there and if not at least I can rule it out. Judging by the results of the blood test I do agree I think I will struggle to get anyone to consider there is a thyroid issue.

I do take vitamin supplements. My Vitamin D levels were low and I was advised by my doctor to take a daily Vitamin D supplement.

I have been taking Vitamin B to try and combat the fatigue. However I did stop taking it approximately 3 weeks prior to the blood test. Judging by the results I think I can rule out low Vitamin B12 levels as well!

I found the iron results interesting as high iron can produce the symptoms I am suffering from. With regard to being of Celtic descent, I really have no idea - is there any way of finding out.

The CRP is also concerning as I am not aware of having any infections recently.

So where do I go from here? Do you think I should start looking at the issue with iron overload and is the thyroid still worth pursuing?

Thank you so much for all your help!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mugswell]

Are you female? Pre or post menopause?

I think unless you have been supplementing iron or eating very iron rich diet, I would ask (a different) GP for full iron panel as your ferritin is above range

Say you wondering if hemochromatosis might be an issue

Also might point out slightly raised CRP

Perhaps try strictly gluten free diet? Can help with joint pain

[Mugswell in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I am female aged 58 and post menopause.

I will try the GP route again and get the iron panel investigated

Thanks you so much. Hopefully I will be going in the right direction now.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mugswell]

Gluten intolerance can cause all manner of symptoms

I suggest you consider trying strictly gluten free diet for few months, see if it helps

Ferritin may not be considered high enough for hemochromatosis as post menopause, but see what GP says

[Mugswell in reply to SlowDragon]

I will certainly give the gluten free diet a go.

Thank you again for talking it through with me