Low ferritin: Hi All, I’ve lurked on and off for... - Thyroid UK

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Low ferritin

Narwhal10 profile image
10 Replies

Hi All,

I’ve lurked on and off for several months. I’ve always been told thyroid results are fine but this year I had a positive coeliac blood test result just before lockdown. I did a private thyroid test, no antibodies but TSH slightly elevated. Three weeks ago, more bloods at GP, I knew I had iron deficiency anaemia, short of breath, high heart rate. When I rang for results I was told yes you need a prescription for ferrous fumarate and B12 injections.

I asked for a print out and wow my ferritin levels were 7 !! I’ve read somewhere that the thyroid struggles to function with poor ferritin levels. Any advice greatly received.

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Narwhal10
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10 Replies
bookish profile image
bookish

Hi. Low iron is often an early warning sign of Coeliac or NGCS malabsorption. Hopefully now that you are gluten free, your absorption will be starting to improve. Mine certainly did for vitamins and nutrients across the board. That said, I still struggle with my ferritin. I use Spatone sachets. No doubt you will get some good advice on here. Best wishes

Narwhal10 profile image
Narwhal10 in reply to bookish

Thanks bookish,

I’ve been gluten free 7 months but had gastro symptoms over 20 years which was out down to IBS.

bookish profile image
bookish in reply to Narwhal10

What a pity that they didn't do the Coeliac check earlier. I had no gut symptoms at all until much later, but skin and neurological for many years. Cheers

Narwhal10 profile image
Narwhal10 in reply to bookish

Sorry to hear that bookish. May I ask what neuro signs you had ? Was your skin similar to DH ?

Take care

bookish profile image
bookish in reply to Narwhal10

Hi, my main symptom which reversed on stopping gluten was acne, very much to my surprise (and delight....and annoyance!). I had ear and sinus issues which may also have been gluten affected but resolved with quitting dairy. I had headaches and migraines, fainting, brain fog, fatigue, cramp, restless legs, anxiety. Those improved but have not resolved purely due to gluten/dairy, as I have found B12/folate functional issues and some genetic SNPs so ability to metabolize oestrogen is poor as well as folate cycle, liver/toxin processing. I developed numbness, pins and needles, hypersensitivity, formication, burning etc. I think gluten and dairy were probably my main early autoimmune/genetic vulnerability 'triggers', but not the only ones. My absorption had got pretty bad so vitamins and minerals were too low. My best wishes to you x

sbadd profile image
sbadd

Have they advised you to have an intrinsic factor test to check for Pernicious Anemia?

Narwhal10 profile image
Narwhal10 in reply to sbadd

Thanks,

No, I’m not bothered, the tests are unreliable and it’s the same regime. 😊 It’s thyroid function I’m concerned with.

Narwhal10 profile image
Narwhal10 in reply to Narwhal10

My sincerest apologies - you were right, it is very advisable. Thank you

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

As coeliac it’s important to also test vitamin D and folate too

Magnesium levels often low on gluten free diet. Testing magnesium is unreliable

Work on getting all four vitamins optimal as first steps

Then retest thyroid

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Narwhal10 profile image
Narwhal10

Thanks

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