MCV

[yewotc23]

Does anyone know what this means on NICE Guidelines"

An MCV less than 95 femtolitres has a sensitivity of 97.6% for iron deficiency anaemia.

In people with anaemia and an MCV of more than 95 femtolitres, there is a low probability of iron deficiency.

My MCV was 83.4 fL

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Suggests that you are significantly iron-deficient.

There is more information here:

labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...

Specifically, it says:

When the MCV is decreased, your RBCs are smaller than normal (microcytic), which may indicate iron deficiency anaemia, inflammation or occasionally thalassaemias.

I can't see any mention of thyroid issues or questions in your posts/replies. Do you have any thyroid issue? Or have I missed it?

[yewotc23 in reply to helvella]

Thanks. I am on Levothyroxine for an underactive thyroid.

My mean cell haemoglobin level was a bit on the low side too 27.7 [27 - 32] is the range. Although my Haemoglobin concentration wasn't too bad 140 [115 - 165]

Could I still be deficient in iron, even with normal Haemoglobin concentration?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to yewotc23]

My understanding of iron is pretty poor. However, I think it is possible.

For example, haemoglobin test results can rise due to dehydration.

It is something I think you need to follow up.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to yewotc23]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking When were levels last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

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 .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

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

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last third or quarter of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Is this how you do your tests?

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 antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

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 down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

[Bearo]

Interesting. I had very similar results to yours last time I had a full blood count

- MVC 83.8 (just above bottom of scale) and Haemoglobin estimation right on the bottom of the scale. MCH at bottom of scale,

Red cell distribution width just over the top of the scale.

Queried these with the GP who said they were all “fine” adding that the ranges are designed for men and that for a woman some of these results were quite good. So I’ve never had an iron panel or test for PA.

I explained the reason for the blood test had actually been for thyroid but she said, “actually I don’t know anything about thyroid, but your TSH looks a bit low (0.9) shall we decrease your Levo? “ . Fortunately I persuaded her not to as FT4 was only 22% through range at that time.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Bearo]

If the ranges are designed for men, they should state that.

There are many ranges which are divided by gender, age, or whatever.

Either the range setters or the GP is wrong.

[Bearo in reply to helvella]

Good point, Helvella, thanks for replying.