Abnormal iron results

[jostafford0]

Hello, can anyone let me know if abnormal iron results are a Hashi's thing? They've been like this for a couple of years now (tests all done privately) but NHS haven't ever tested for it. Is it worth pursuing with the GP or just leave it alone. I don't take any iron supplements so I don't really know what to do.

UIBC 16.2 (24.2 - 70.1)

Iron 34.9 (5.8 - 34.5)

Transferrin Saturation 68% (20-50)

Ferritin 106 (44-150)

Many thanks

Jo

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Sorry this post was missed

Iron and ferritin are complex

Will flag up for humanbean or SeasideSusie to hopefully comment

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

jostafford0

Optimal levels according to rt3-adrenals.org/Iron_test_... are:

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 over range

Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) or Transferrin: Low in range indicates lack of capacity for additional iron, High in range indicates body's need for supplemental iron - you don't seem to have had this test done.

Ferritin: Low level virtually always indicates need for iron supplementation; High level with low serum iron/low saturation indicates inflammation or infection; High level with high serum iron and low TIBC indicates excess iron; Over range with saturation above 45% suggests hemochromatosis - yours is a good level.

Unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC): This test measures how much transferrin isn’t attached to iron. I don't have a recommendation for optimal level but I imagine half way would be quite good. Yours is below range.

Iron is complicated, I don't have any explanation for your results, they are beyond what I know about an iron panel.

I don't think abnormal iron results are necessarily a Hashi's thing otherwise I think we'd see a lot more of them on the forum as Hashi's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.

[jostafford0 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi SeasideSusie,

Thank you for your reply.

My TIBC was normal at 52.38 (45-72)

I have other abnormal blood results too:

CREATININE 95 (45-84) - this has been high for a couple of years.

EGFR 54.47 (>60)

UREA 3.3 (2.5 - 7.8)

TOTAL Cholesterol 6.85 (0-5)

LDL CHOLESTEROL 4.26 (0-3)

NON HDL CHOLESTEROL 4.59 (0-4)

All other cholesterol markers were normal

Liver status was normal

My TSH is 0.29 and my free T4 is 19. My T3 has always been a bit rubbish 4.7 never been above 5. I'm on 100 / 112 mg of levo. I exercise regularly and I am gluten & dairy free.

I drank loads of water before the fasting blood test as I know dehydration can affect cholesterol and kidney status.

I spoke with my GP yesterday and she has agreed to do all the blood tests plus extra ones so hopefully I'll get to the bottom of it soon.

Jo xx