Update!

[Dipper86]

I previously posted about my symptoms and having autoimmune thyroid disease.

My doc has tested my TSH which are in normal range.

Are there other tests he can do to check?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes, just testing TSH is completely inadequate

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Ask GP to test thyroid antibodies and vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins

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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

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 are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

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

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

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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

[Dipper86 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you, I had a feeling more tests were needed. I’ll see my doc and see if he will do those tests, if not, I shall have them done privately.

My ferritin levels are low 3ug/L from my results on here. I’m taking 3 ferrous sulfate a day but I’ve read that taking vit c helps absorption?

Oh and low vit D (doc says boardline) combined vit D2 and D3 level 42.6 nmol/L, which i have supplement for too

[shaws Administrator in reply to Dipper86]

I think the NHS does a basic TSH and maybe a T4. Rarely do they check the T3 and considering that it is T3 that is the Active Hormone it makes me wonder why they do not.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Dipper86]

You ferritin was only 3ug/l ????

If so, you almost certainly need iron infusion . It takes months for iron supplements to have affect

Did GP do full iron panel?

Add results and ranges if you have them

humanbean or SeasideSusie are good on reading iron results

GP should prescribe vitamin D, if result is under 50

But they usually only prescribe 800iu, which is often not enough. Aiming to improve to at least 80nmol and around 100nmol may be better .

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function.

It's trial and error what dose each person needs.

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Retesting twice yearly via vitamindtest.org.uk

Local CCG guidelines

clinox.info/clinical-suppor...

Government recommends everyone supplement October to April

gov.uk/government/news/phe-...




GP should be considering WHY ferritin is so low

Hypothyroid, especially Hashimoto's is possible

Request coeliac blood test too

You need B12 and folate tested

[Dipper86 in reply to SlowDragon]

Haemoglobin concentration (below range) 95g/L

Mean cell volume (below range) 72.7fL

Mean cell haemoglobin (below range) 20.4pg

Mean cell haemoglobin (below range) 280 g/L

That any help?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Dipper86]

Can you add the actual ranges on these

SeasideSusie and humanbean can you comment

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Dipper86]

Mean cell haemoglobin (below range) 20.4pg

Mean cell haemoglobin (below range) 280 g/L

You have two results for the same test there.

[Dipper86 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Sorry

Mean cell haemoglobin level 20.4 pg

Mean cell haemoglobin concentration 280 g/L

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Dipper86]

Dipper86

My ferritin levels are low 3ug/L from my results on here

The following are from a full blood count, not an iron panel:

Haemoglobin concentration (below range) 95g/L

Mean cell volume (below range) 72.7fL

Mean cell haemoglobin level 20.4 pg

Mean cell haemoglobin concentration 280 g/L

You can check what the results mean here

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

All this suggests iron deficiency anaemia. The treatment for that is 3 x ferrous fumarate daily, and each iron tablet should be taken with 1000mg Vit C to aid absorption and help prevent constipation. Iron tablets should be taken 4 hours away from thyroid meds and 2 hours away from other supplements and medication.

I would have expected your GP to refer you to a haematologist with these results. And I would have thought that an iron infusion was urgently required as it can take many months to raise levels with iron tablets.

[Dipper86 in reply to SeasideSusie]

He just suggested the three times a day ferrous sulphate and that’s it really. I’ll book in and ask about these things then. Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Dipper86]

Insist on coeliac blood test

Thyroid antibodies testing

Referral to haematology for investigation of cause of seriously low ferritin and iron

[Dipper86 in reply to SlowDragon]

When he looked at my iron level from last year, he said they were low then but he must have missed them. I hope it’s nothing serious, starting to panic a little

[SilverAvocado]

Good luck Dipper86! I have followed you from your old thread, and am rooting for you. I don't know enough about vitamins to comment on anything, but you have had great answers from some good people.

Its criminal how doctors will leave people hanging for serious conditions

[Dipper86 in reply to SilverAvocado]

Thank you!

I honestly don’t think my doc knows what he’s looks at, not doubting he’s a good doc however.

Thanks again!