Blood test

[Abbey21]

Hi, been to the Dr's again over hair loss and finally managed to see a Dr that's actually listened to me and agreed that it could be because I was undermedicated for my underactive thyroid, also he wants me to have blood tests done for B12, folate and ferratin, so I was just wondering if anybody could tell me what the ideal readings should be, please, thanks in advance.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Abbey21

Ranges aren't universal so it's not possible to give a figure. However, optimal levels for us Hypos are:

Vit D 100-150nmol/L (40-60ng/ml) - see if you can get this test added as well.

B12 -

Total B12: according to an extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:

"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".

"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."

Active B12 (which the NHS probably don't do at primary level): below 70 suggests testing for B12 deficiency.

Folate: at least half way through range.

Ferritin: It's said that for thyroid hormone to work properly (that's our own as well as replacement hormone) ferritin needs to be at least 70, preferably half way through range but I have seen it said that 100-130 is a good level for females, 150 is a good level for males.

Doctors tend not to be trained in nutrition/nutrient levels so as far as most doctors are concerned anywhere within range, even one point from the bottom or one point from the top, then that is fine.

Post your results, with reference ranges and units of measurement for Vit D and B12 on the forum when you have them and we can comment.

[Abbey21 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for quick reply and info, I'm booked in next Monday for the blood tests, so will post as soon as I get results, thanks again.

[Marz in reply to Abbey21]

Where did you post the results ?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If they won't include vitamin D, you can get this via NHS postal kit £29

vitamindtest.org.uk

[pompoodle]

I was losing my hair etc. Low iron etc. I have Hypothyroidism. My hematologist was interested in % Saturation ([27%sat ] and Transferrin levels [265mg/dL] these are fine (to him those two areas of the Ferritin panels he considered the most significant? ) I take 2 iron pills a day, total 50mg along with: Grassfed Feed Beef Organs Liver Caps & Grassfed Beef Bone Marrow Caps from; New Zealand. I am about to add the Grassfed Beef Organs (THE Spleen) because my Ferritin is 79 ug/dl, I want it higher; my, total iron is 102 ug/dl I want this higher too. My T IRON Blind Cap 371 which is ok. I wish you the best.

[Abbey21]

Thanks for the reply and info. I noticed you said you were losing your hair, is it ok now? I'm a vegetarian so can't take any of the supplements you mentioned, but I was hoping that if my levels are down taking iron tabs would help. I just wish that the Dr's had left my medication alone 3 years ago, I was doing really well, and now all this, but looking on the brighter side I now seem to have a Dr that will listen and I've also found this forum which is really helpful and knowledgeable xx

[Marz in reply to Abbey21]

You inadvertently replied to yourself above - so pompoodle would not have received an alert ! Easily done !

[Lora7again]

I have been told by a lot of people that Ferritin needs to be over 80 for hair growth. I have suffered two lots of extreme hair loss 50%. It has all grown back but not as thick as it once was but I do look like I have a normal head of hair now. I actually had hair extensions a couple of years ago because you could see my scalp because I was shedding 100s of hair a day. I was forever sweeping them up off the bathroom floor and my vacuum was full of my hair. It is very distressing and made me very depressed as well as feeling ill. Once your levels are right your hair should stop falling out.