Dont really know where to start! I posted yesterday about my blood results. It was suggested that my iron levels maybe low, but these were not tested.
I've bought some iron tablets today,nine desperation.
I'm wondering whether to get some private blood tests done, if so which ones?!
I feel lethargic, drained, very depressed and dont know where to turn. Would appreciate any help or advice.
Thank you x
Maybe ask your GP to test for ferritin as well as iron. Ferritin is the
storage protein that carries iron in our blood. We can have excess or
deficiency in both or one or the other.
Take your iron (hopefully not ferrous fumarate which is an industrial byproduct) with a few pieces of fruit for vitamin C for best absorption & to reduce potential constipation. Some types of tablet & liquid iron contain vitamin C as well as other micronutrients. Make sure not to take it near drinks containing calcium such as mlk, or tannin in tea & coffee. I take mine mid-afternoon between lunch & supper to ensure my stomach is empty & there's nothing to inhibit absorption.
Thanks BadHare, I didn't realise they were 2 different things! I bought Feroglobin capsules which it says is fumerate. Oh bugger! It also says take it on a full stomach!
Oh no!
Thanks for your help
Ferrous fumarate isn't the nicest iron supplement in the world - it can cause constipation and gut irritation. Ferrous sulfate/sulphate is worse. But lots of people do improve their iron levels with it. I've been taking it (ferrous fumarate) since 2013, firstly to improve my extremely depleted iron and ferritin, and then when I got as close to optimal as I could I started taking one tablet three or four times a week just to keep it from dropping like a stone.
There are other ways to improve iron e.g. for meat eaters they can eat liver which has lots of iron in it. You might find this document written by helvella , one of the admins, useful :
See how you get on with them & swap to a different type. I'm ok with both sulphate & bisglycinate, but prefer the latter.
I find Medichecks very reasonable for private blood tests. They send you a kit, you do a pin prick thumb sample and send back. The results are usually online within 48 hours of receipt. They do whole nutrient panels as well for slightly more than the ferritin alone but may be worth it. When I was diagnosed I had my ferritin, folate, Vitamin D and B12 checked. The latter two were at rock bottom and I did get some relief from fatigue when they were addressed.
medichecks.com/allergy-and-...
I don't know how long you have been diagnosed for or how long you are into your thyroid journey but I am in the same boat with fatigue,lethargy and depression. It is really tough but I think all we can do is try and remain positive and try and unravel the root cause of our symptoms. Unfortunately this often means forking out for bloodtests that the GP won't do. Do you take any supplements? Have you had any vitamins checked recently?
Hi Starlight. I was diagnosed around 25 years ago. I do take supplements ; D3 x 4000iu, B complex 100ug , C 1000mg, K2 90ug. And sometimes magnesium citrate powder 375mg. I'll look at that link you posted. Thank you
End of my tether
End of my tether ! 
At the end of my tether
Help...At my wits end
Thyroid help, at my wits end!
