High Iron Levels

[Wa_mo_jo_67]

Hi, new member. I’ve had hypothyroid for 9 years and my last two blood test show elevated ferritin (iron) levels. My GP doesn’t seem concerned. Should I be and is there a way of counteracting this?

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Can you add actual results and ranges

High ferritin common with inflammation of autoimmune thyroid disease (also called Hashimoto’s) .....especially after menopause

Have you had full iron panel test to see if iron is high, or only ferritin

How much levothyroxine 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)

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

[Wa_mo_jo_67 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for prompt reply. Unfortunately my GP doesn’t give me ranges just spouts the normal reply. “Your tests are within normal range”. I currently take 75mg Levo (I started on 125). I will speak to GP and ask for further clarification and if not happy will get private test. Many thanks again

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Wa_mo_jo_67]

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

75mcg is only one step up from starter dose

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

[Wa_mo_jo_67 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. Will do

[CatsofCatford]

I did an advanced thyroid panel with Medichecks recently, which showed my ferritin level was 230 (top of range 150). The accompanying drs report suggested this be investigated further. But when I spoke to my GP she said not to worry as my ferritin levels have risen on every test since 2015 .... but I don’t understand why that’s reassuring? ????

[grumpyold]

My GP dismissed my raised ferritin result of 379. I ordered a complete panel of iron tests privately (and a DNA test) and found out I had haemochromatosis.If I were you, I would ask your GP for further investigation.

[De8813]

Hi Wa_mo_jo_67 I would have this looked into as I have recently been diagnosed with haemochromatosis same as grumpyold. Doctors know very little about it. It is hereditary and runs in families so when diagnosed the family needs gene test too.