Low ferritin,but is it low Vit D ??: Hi everyone... - Thyroid UK

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Low ferritin,but is it low Vit D ??

Lispuhiza profile image
14 Replies

Hi everyone,for the firs time yestarday i did vit d and ferritin,but not folate,labs don't do it. These are results:

Vit d 36.2 (14.0-60.0)

Ferritin 19.27 (20.0-250.0 ng/ml)

I've got tinnitus,dizziness,insomnia,i can't fall asleep,light sensitivity,sometimes stammering ,mental fatigue after short time that i work,especially then i have to talk more,it seems like people are spinning around me,like being under water,what i need is just to take a nap,just some minutes

Exessesive hair loss, when i have a shower,and after the shower,especially in front of my head.

First i thought maybe I'm over medicated (levo 100 mcg) but i seems it's something else.

And these are my mum's results; she's 74 she's on levo 100mcg;

Vit d 27,6 (14.00-60.00)

Ferritin 42.85 (20.0-250.0)

I hope SeasdeSusie or someone else might read my post ,thank you 😊

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Lispuhiza
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14 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Can you please add the unit of measurement for the Vit D. Is it ng/ml or nmol/L, it makes a big difference.

Your Ferritin is below range. Low Ferritin can suggest iron deficiency anaemia. You should have an iron panel and full blood count. If it's iron deficiency anaemia your GP should treat it. Hair loss and fatigue can be due to low Ferritin.

I think it would be a good idea to test B12 as tinnitus and dizziness are symptoms of low B12.

Your mother's iron is low but not as bad as yours. If she eats iron rich foods such as liver (max 200g per week) this will help raise her level.

Lispuhiza profile image
Lispuhiza in reply toSeasideSusie

Thank you SeasdeSusie,vit d is ng/ml.

RBC 4.48 (3.5-5.50)

MCV 86.8 (75.0-100.0)

WBC 6.1 (3.5-10.0)

HGB 138 (115:165)

Iron serum 13.60 (8.900-30.40 umol/l

I'M on b12 injections,for 7 days,i gonna have 10 of them,but nothing changed,all symptoms are same,i see little improvement in my lower back,it hurts less after b12 injection.

I've got lower back hurts for 7 years,in some positions not all the time,i sleep on stomach,when i try to change position i have terrible aches.

I need iron supplements,am i?

What about Vit D?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toLispuhiza

The Vit D Council recommends a level of 50ng/ml and the Vit D Society recommends a level of 40-60ng/ml.

With your level at 36.2ng/ml the Vit D Council recommends supplementing with 2,500iu D3 daily.

With our mother's level at 27.6ng/ml the Vit D Council recommends supplementing with 3,700iu daily (nearest equivalent is 4,000iu).

vitamindcouncil.org/i-teste...

Important cofactors are needed when taking D3 as recommended by the Vit D Council -

vitamindcouncil.org/about-v...

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 such as hardening of the arteries, kidney stones, etc.

D3 and K2 are fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day, D3 four hours away from thyroid meds if taking tablets/capsules/softgels, no necessity if using an oral spray

Magnesium helps D3 to work. We need Magnesium so that the body utilises D3, it's required to convert Vit D into it's active form. So it's important we ensure we take magnesium when supplementing with D3.

Magnesium 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 if taking tablets/capsules, no necessity if using topical forms of magnesium.

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

Check out the other cofactors too (some of which can be obtained from food).

MCV 86.8 (75.0-100.0)

That doesn't suggest iron deficiency anaemia, low MCV suggests that. An iron panel should show if there is any other form of anaemia.

I can't suggest iron supplements. Iron is complicated and if Serum Iron is at a good level (which the iron panel would show) then iron tablets would take serum iron too high.

Maybe you should give the B12 longer to take effect. When taking B12 in any form, we need a B Complex to balance all the B vitamins.

Lispuhiza profile image
Lispuhiza in reply toSeasideSusie

Thank you SeasdeSusie,last year(on April 2018) iron level was 5 (10-30) i took liquid iron for a mont. As i know low ferritin suggests low iron.

Also I've got heavy menstruation,on first three days.

Why ferritin is so low then??

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toLispuhiza

"Why ferritin is so low then??"

I'm afraid I can't answer that, there are probably a few reasons but I'm not medically trained.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toLispuhiza

Low Ferritin ? - how is your diet ? do you have gut issues that could prevent you from absorbing well ?

Lispuhiza profile image
Lispuhiza in reply toMarz

Thank you Marz,I've never had GI issues (diarrhoea or constipation)

But i think my diet is not quite good

Righed on iron,maybe is that.

But i have symptoms,excessive hair loss,pressure(aches)on my scalp,this scares me a lot i can see my bald.

Dizziness,light sensitivity,all the time when i stand up i have lightheadnessnes(heat on my upper head) blurred vision,i see black spots,cold sensitivity,especially on my leg and feet also on arms and hands,tinnitus that makes me nervous,frequent headaches, these all suggests that something in my blood,TSH t3 and t4 are quite well.

I know one thing that i gone order liquid iron because of low ferritin,

I've read an article that some people have same problem like mine,normal blood count (iron level hemoglobin) but very low ferritin,so they take iron tablets,to release symptoms,sorry bothering you,I'm already tired 😑

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toLispuhiza

Taking a B Complex whilst having B12 injections and thereafter would be good ... You need Folate/Folic Acid/B9 - as it works with B12 in the body. What was your B12 level before treatment ? Are you in the UK ?

Lispuhiza profile image
Lispuhiza in reply toMarz

Thank you Marz,do you think ferritin is low because of low folic acid?

As i know suggests low iron ☹

Yesi take b-complex(also contains b9,small amounts) whilsl taking b12 injectoins,but not any improvement.

I don't know what to do,to survive...

What else do you recommend Marz?

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toLispuhiza

Ferritin will not be low due to low Folate - Ferritin is iron stored as a protein. Folate is a vitamin ... Sorry I do not know what to suggest. Reading through all the replies you have had - there seems to be lots of good advice. Hopefully when you have all your levels at a good level you will begin to feel better ... :-)

Lispuhiza profile image
Lispuhiza in reply toMarz

Thank you Marz.

Lispuhiza profile image
Lispuhiza in reply toSeasideSusie

Hi SeasdeSusie,i have a question about vit d,you said that i need 2500ui d3 and my mum 3700iu

How long should i have to take d3?

Also my mum?? Thank you!

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toLispuhiza

Take the suggested doses for 3 months then retest.

When you've reached the level recommended by the Vit D Council - 50ng/ml - and the Vit D Society - 40-60ng/ml - then you'll both need a maintenance dose to keep your level there, this 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.

Lispuhiza profile image
Lispuhiza in reply toSeasideSusie

Thank you SeasdeSusie.

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