Lab results

[PastelOak]

Can someone please help check these lab results? My little sister had tests done due to persistent tiredness and I’d be grateful for your help in taking a look at these. All thyroid labs came back as ‘normal’ but ferritin is really low and definitely needs addressing. Just trying to figure if there might be something going on with thyroid too or if her lack of energy is simply a result of poor iron levels.

TSH = 1.54 (range: 0.4 - 4)

Free T3 = 5.38 (range: 3.5 - 6.5)

Free T4 = 16.55 (range: 10 - 21)

TPOAb antibodies = 39 (range: under 60)

Ferritin = flagged low at 18.5 (range: 30 - 150)

Thank you so much!

Pastel

[Nanaedake]

She needs a full iron panel doing and a vitamin D test. B12 and folate. Thyroid levels are normal range for someone not taking levothyroxine. TPO thyroid antibodies are not elevated.

[PastelOak in reply to Nanaedake]

Thank you so much for your reply, Nanaedake! Glad to hear that the thyroid profile seems to be healthy. Will encourage her to get Vit D B12 and folate checked too. Thanks for your help!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

PastelOak

As Nanaedake says, thyroid results are normal. A normal healthy person will have a TSH no higher than about 2 with FT4 around mid-range-ish. Her TSH is below 2 and her FT4 is 59.55% through range.

What is her GP doing about her low ferritin? Low ferritin can suggest iron deficiency anaemia so she needs an iron panel to check for iron deficiency and a full blood count which would show if there is anaemia.

As Nana says, she should also ask for Vit D, B12 and Folate to be tested.

[PastelOak in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you so much Susie! Great thoughts and suggestions. I’ve asked her to go back to her GP to request for more tests. Fingers crossed we have more info soon.

[Marz in reply to PastelOak]

Low iron can be the cause of fatigue. Ferritin is iron stored in the liver as a protein and when low can be the cause of low iron in the blood.

Iron is present in the red blood cells and oxygen sticks to the iron and is carried around the body to all the organs. So low iron = low oxygen = fatigue and other health issues.