Blood test advice, specifically Iron

[Ejsmith]

I am currently on 100mcg of thyroxine, but have been struggling over the last year with tiredness and dizziness, dry skin, hair loss. I did a private test last year (I will attach more pics in the comments), this identified low vit D and folate and also low ferritin. I took this to my GP who advised me that my thyroid and ferritin were ok but agreed it wouldn't do any harm to add some vit supplements. I supplemented with Vit D and B vits and this did make me feel a bit better, (alleviated the dizziness and some of the tiredness). I seemed relatively stable for a few months through the summer last year but then had a bad reaction to TEVA thyroxine in september after my usual brand was changed (terrible headaches and heart palpitations). The chemist transferred me back to my usual brand but it seemed to knock me back a bit. Over the winter I progressively got more ill and picked up another virus that resulted in a course of steroids.

I ran another set of bloods in Feb this year and again it identified low Vit D and ferritin. I took these results to my GP who agreed that my ferritin was low and undertook a full blood count, results also attached in post below. My thyroid hormones were tested at the same time and came back within range (although I note that my T4 looked quite low).

My full blood count came back normal but my GP ran iron studies as he was felt that the low ferritin could be causing my symptoms.

My Iron studies results are below Lab ranges in ():

Serum C reactive protein <4mg (0-6)

Serum Ferritin 13ng/ml (10-291)

Iron level 13.1umol (10-30.4)

Transferritin Level 2.57gL (2.5-3.8)

Iron saturation 22% (16-50)

I have noticed that with an increase in Vit D levels my dizziness does improve, however, I realise that I will probably need to supplement all year round to ensure sufficient levels. I have been using the better you vit d and k2 spray, although keeping this at 75ug doesn't appear to be enough for me.

1. Advice on Vit D dosage would be appreciated.

2. Also looking for advice on improving my ferritin levels. My GP was willing to discuss iron tablets but also wondering if I can increase this myself.

3. Any further advice on my thyroid bloods, my GP has said a flat out no on increasing thyroxine, but I do feel there may be scope for an increase?

Thanks very much

(I will add rest of blood results in comments)

[Ejsmith]

any ideas how to attach the rest of my blood results as pics would be appreciated?

[Marz in reply to Ejsmith]

You can only post one pic per post !

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Ejsmith]

Ejsmith

It's only possible to add one photo and that has to be in the opening post of a thread. You'll have to type the rest of the results into your post.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Ejsmith

Serum Ferritin 13ng/ml (10-291)

Iron level 31.1umol (10-30.4)

Transferritin Level 2.57gL (2.5-3.8)

Iron saturation 22% (16-50)

Optimal levels, according to web.archive.org/web/2018083...

Serum iron: 55 to 70% of the range, higher end for men - yours is over range

Saturation: optimal is 35 to 45%, higher end for men - yours is 22%

Transferrin: Low in range indicates lack of capacity for additional iron, High in range indicates body's need for supplemental iron - yours is very low in range

Ferritin: Low level virtually always indicates need for iron supplementation - yours is 1.07% through range

Iron is complicated and you can see that your results are conflicting in that your serum iron is high which suggests you don't need iron supplementation, your saturation is low, and your transferritin is very low which indicates, again, that you don't need supplementation, but your Ferritin is extremely low.

You can help raise your level by eating liver regularly, maximum 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content, also liver pate, black pudding, and including lots of iron rich foods in your diet

apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/in...

Other than that, I'm afraid I can't suggest anything else, but if your GP does suggest you take iron tablets then I would discuss these results with him, especially the fact that your serum iron is over range.

I can't see results for Vit D so can't comment on suggestions for dose.

[Ejsmith in reply to SeasideSusie]

Sorry my iron levels ars actually 13.1 not 31.1. I made an error when typing. I will edit now

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Ejsmith]

So that makes your serum iron 15.2% through range which is low.

[Mostew]

I to have a tendency towards low Vit d and ferritin .

I had a stool test and colonoscopy done to see if any internal bleeding . Result was helicobacter pylori . no symptoms which surprised Dr.

Without taking iron supplements ferritin going up . ( it wasn’t when I took supplement )

I’ve been recommended Vit D 3 plus it’s 5,000 iu one a day

Take care

[Mostew]

Ps I’ve had an odd head and now wondering if it’s Teva .

What is your headache like ?

[Ejsmith in reply to Mostew]

I had a persistent headache that started 3 days after switching to Teva, my heart palpitations started about 5 days after. Both continued almost daily till i swopped back to my old brand then dissapeared within about 7 days.

[Mostew]

Thanks

I have appointment with Dr tommorow and ask to change , hadn’t connected it to Teva till now .

I requested Teva as it is lactose free

. But don’t think I reacted to minute amount in different brand ...

keep well

[radd]

Ejsmith,

Your iron levels are low.

Adequate thyroid hormone (amongst other things) keeps us functioning well with good gut health but inadequate levels can result in malabsorption, and low nutrient/iron levels are common in hypothyroidism. Equally optimal nutrient and iron levels will help thyroid meds work better.

Iron is key for conversion of T4-T3 and low levels may decrease deiodinase activity resulting in conversion to reverse T3 ( rather than the active hormone). This means you could be hypothyroid (with low ferritin), yet have adequate thyroid hormone in the blood that just isn’t working correctly.

Low ferritin can also cause negative reactions like palpitations, nervousness, and anxiety in someone medicating thyroid hormone replacement. Better iron absorption (whether supplementing or not) can be achieved by adding Vitamin C.

If you post your thyroid hormone test results members will comment.