Positive GP visit and help needed with new results please?

[pj16]

Hi all. Following endoscopy/colonoscopy my gastroenterologist concluded that I have a couple of small areas of stomach erosion and slow digestive transit. No reason for these was suggested but he basically prescribed laxatives for an indefinite period. I'm not sure that this is the way I'd like to go and need to give it some more thought. I'm really struggling to cope with wide range of symptoms and have also lost the ability to control weight, body temperature and sleep. Returned to see GP and saw my preferred one in the practice. She agreed that there are some patterns developing e.g. falling B12 and rising TSH and ordered lots of bloods, both repeat and new. She also said that maybe it's time someone looked at my symptoms as a whole instead of individually and following test results she will decide what type of specialist to refer me to. I also have been waiting on more test results from Blue Horizon which I've now received. As usual I can't make sense of any of it but would really appreciate any comments or advice. I'm particularly perplexed about Immunoglobulin results. I'll post results below.

[pj16]

GP January 2019

Total 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D 64.5 nmol/L (50.0 - 250.0). This is after supplementing with Better You Oral Spray D+K2 3000IU and Magnesium Body Butter per day for two weeks.

Immunoglobulins

IgG 5.5 g/L (6.0 - 16.0 ) Abnormal

IgA 0.6 g/L (0.8 - 4.0) Abnormal

IgM 0.61 g/L (0.50 - 2.00)

Serum ferritin 17 ug/L (10 – 150)

Serum total cholesterol level 6.4 mmol/L (2.5 - 5.0) Abnormal

Serum free T4 level 10.3 pmol/L (7.0 - 17.0)

Serum TSH level 3.35 mu/L (0.20 - 4.50) This is continuing upward trend.

Serum vitamin B12 220 ng/L (145 – 910) This is an increase since last reading of 177. Not supplementing yet.

Serum folate 10.1 ug/L (3.0 - 20.0)

Blue Horizon December 2018

Reticulocyte count ▼ 33.0 (50 – 100) 10*9/L

Active Vitamin B12 65 pmol/L (25-108)

Possible vitamin B12 deficiency if 'Active' B12

(Holo TC) concentration is between 25-70 pmol/L

Homocysteine 11.2 umol/L (3.7-13.9)

Methylmalonic acid (Blood) 0.28 umol/L (<0.29)

Serum Folate 6.69 [1] (3.89 - 26.80) ng/ml

Iron 30.3 (5.83 - 34.5) μmol/L

UIBC 38.8 (24.2 - 70.1) μmol/L

TIBC 69.1 (40.8 - 76.6) μmol/L

Transferrin Saturation 43.8 (15 - 45 %)

Gastric Parietal Cell and Intrinsic Factor Antibodies Negative

Blue Horizon October 2018

Thyroglobulin Antibody * 431.0 IU/mL (0-115)

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[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to pj16]

Vitamin D needs improving to at least 80nmol, but around 100nmol may be better

2 weeks is a very short time. It can take months to improve levels of vitamin D

B12, homocysteine and MMA are all on verge of saying deficient and folate low

Has GP tested for Pernicious Anaemia? Are you now on B12 or on good quality B complex ?

Ferritin, eating iron rich foods plus vitamin C, and liver or liver pate once a week should help improve levels

What have medics said about abnormal IGg results?

[pj16 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hopefully since I've upped vitamin D supplement that might help.

I'm not sure what other tests I could have for PA. Intrinsic factor and gastric parietal cell antibodies are both negative. Although this might not make sense I'm not sure if my low IGA, IGG (IGM I don't think was great either) results might have an effect on any antibody tests I have - that's way too complicated to consider but the question crossed my mind.

Following abnormal IGA and IGG results my GP had blood protein electrophoresis done which showed low gamma globulins. Further tests of urine electrophoresis (then urine immunofixation) detected no paraproteins which I've learned is good. Since GP was able to rule out multiple myeloma she didn't make any further comment about low IGG and IGA. She has decided to refer me to rheumatologist/endocrinologist.

I've been reading your intro on the forum and will try some of the things which have helped you in your journey (a good vitamin c for example). I will try anything as I feel so unwell daily and my life has changed so much. I realise that what we are dealt in the health stakes in life can be cruel and things could be worse. What frustrates me is that if things can be fixed but we are denied even trying the medication then we are left to suffer unnecessarily.

Thank you again for being so generous with your time and advice.