Hi, I posted last week as was experiencing severe hair loss for over 6 months and a blood test via the doctors which showed my ferritin to be 24 but the doctor stated that my hair loss wasn't linked to this and I didn't have an iron deficiency. I've now had a full iron panel (as advised on here).
Would anyone be able to advise on my results please? The only thing that came up out of range was the Transferrin Saturation.
Thank you
Topaz123
Optimal levels according to rt3-adrenals.org/Iron_test_... are:
Serum iron: 55 to 70% of the range, higher end for men - yours is 23.24%
Saturation: optimal is 35 to 45%, higher end for men - yours is 18.45%
Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC): Low in range indicates lack of capacity for additional iron, High in range indicates body's need for supplemental iron - yours is at the higher end of the range
Unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC): This test measures how much transferrin isn’t attached to iron but I don't have an optimal level for that; however, it is in range at 67.32% and nearer mid-range than high or low so I wouldn't worry about this result.
Ferritin: Low level virtually always indicates need for iron supplementation - yours is 5.26% through range
So your serum iron, saturation, TIBC and Ferritin all point to iron supplementation being needed. I would show these results to your GP and ask for iron tablets to be prescribed and regular monitoring must take place. I personally wouldn't self supplement.
From your previous post:
The doctor is suggesting that my iron level isn't low and if I take iron supplements I risk serious health issues and that he's putting on my notes he's advised against this!
I think you can now show your GP that your "iron level" is not fine and could do with serious improvement, there's no way you'll risk serious health issues by bringing your levels into those optimal levels mentioned above. Of course, you don't want to take your levels too high, which is why regular monitoring is essential when taking iron tablets.
Take each iron tablet with Vit C to aid absorption and take iron 4 hours away from thyroid meds and 2 hours away from any other medication and supplements.
As for hair loss, I posted this last time but will repeat it here: see thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
particularly the part where it says:
According to some experts, ferritin levels of at least 40 ng/ml are required to stop hair loss, while levels of at least 70 ng/ml are needed for hair regrowth. The optimal ferritin level for thyroid function is between 90-110 ng/ml.
Also other vitamin deficiencies can lead to hair loss:
hubpages.com/health/16-Vita...
Thank you, it's always good to get someone else's expert opinion especially when a doctor has told you there's no issue!
I'll definitely contact my GP again but I'll be requesting to speak to another (hopefully less rude) doctor!
I have bought chicken livers although not forced myself to eat them yet! 
Chicken livers are said to have a higher iron content than lamb's or other liver. I wish I could get them where I live.
They were from Asda in the freezer section - just in case you 've not checked the freezers although I'm sure you will have 🙂
I live in a small, rural seaside town, we only have Co-op and Spar. 20 miles away we have Lidl, Aldi and Tesco, none of which sell chicken livers 
Next time I order my liver from the butcher (about 5 miles away) I will ask if he can get them, otherwise it will have to be my regular order for lamb's liver. I don't drive and public transport is pretty rubbish so my son goes to the butcher to pick up my order.
I haven't been able to get a home delivery slot with Asda or any supermarket since the original lockdown
suzie your local council might have an arrangement with the supermarkets ( as they do here) to give codes for priority customers with disabilities/i’llnesses. i know iceland and tesco were doing it have you tried them?
I only came under "vulnerable" not "extremely vulnerable" where you got this extra help. Not to worry, my son has done all my shopping and the nearest butcher, who is 5-6 miles away, I ring him, he makes up my order and my son collects it for me, they've now started having chicken livers 😊
Which company did you use for these tests?
Yes, that one is Medichecks, Thriva's way of displaying the results on a bar graph is rather confusing to a lot of people!
There’s a big difference in price too. Thriva is £6 and Medichecks is £39, wonder why the price is so different?
I've never got my head around Thriva's website so I have no idea of the cost of any of their tests. What do you get for £6 - the iron panel same as Medichecks above? So could I just order a £6 iron panel and nothing else or does it have to be an add on to another order?
This is the Thriva one
This is the Medichecks which also has CRP
At first glance it looks as if the Triva one is better but I would have to reread them
Thriva charge £21 for processing- on top of the £6 though as for all tests. i got my daughter a test recently and it was £41 for iron and thyroid combined
example below of how they word their charges on tests ( click into photo to see the £21 added on at bottom)
SeasideSusie thriva also offer pdf which makes it easier to read than those pesky graphs
Ah that explains it, Medichecks give the total amount upfront, bit naughty of a Thriva to mislead though.
Thanks for explaining the pricing london81 I've never been drawn to Thriva for testing, always thought their website wasn't as user friendly as the others.
Yes I knew they did a pdf listing of results which showed the normal ranges rather than their bar graphs which seem to confuse a lot of members, I always tell them to download the pdf and get the ranges from there and ignore the "optimal" etc suggestions on the bar graphs.
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