Query re iron deficiency blood tests when hypothyroid and low B12

[smilingjane]

Hello Thyroid people

I have just posted below in the pernicious anemia forum and realised that there are links with Thyroid issues.

I posted a while ago with queries re a low B12 count. I have that sorted and SI daily now.

My complexion until 2 years ago was a farmer giles type red/pink ☺

Over the last year I turned very pale. Now the paleness has gone but I'm very slightly a bit yellowish.

I was told 2 years ago that I dont have PA. I just had bog standard FBC at the time though so maybe that didnt show? I also have hypothyroidism.

My query is what do you think are the blood tests that I should be ordering? If I want to test for every kind of anemia?

I am not confident that my GP will request all that's really needed. So I am thinking I may do the tests with one of the online test companies.

Thank you in advance for all of your advice and shared situations.

Jane 😊

[Jazzw]

Well. First of all, welcome.

I bet you already know that there isn’t a definitive way of diagnosing pernicious anaemia. The test for PA very often comes back negative in people who are then eventually tested again and found to be positive. So whoever told you it isn’t could easily be wrong.

Being slightly yellow-tinged can indicate liver problems. Has your doctor done any liver function tests?

How are you feeling? Do you feel unwell?

[smilingjane in reply to Jazzw]

Hello Jazzw and thank you for my welcome 🌝

Yes I am aware it's a tricky one to determine.

Ah now I think you may have hit the nail on the head.

I had elevated liver enzymes and scans over a year ago. It was discovered that I have a very slightly dilated Pancreatic duct.

The last letter from the hospital stated that I have stable structures. I need to seek the letter out but as I remember they were going to recall me annually for a scan to monitor.

As to how I feel, my appetite disappeared months ago. I am always tired and mostly in bed.

I just eat ice cream and yogurt.

And boiled sweets for energy.

I put it down to a side effect of the Oxycodone that I take for restless legs but now I am not so sure.

I need to research stable strictures!!

Thank you so much for pointing the liver aspect out.

Jane 🤔

[smilingjane in reply to Jazzw]

Hi JazzwTo let you know I called the hept team I'm attached to at the hosp today and blood tests, LST and U&A along with Thyroid and FBC have been arranged for Monday.

Thanks again for your thoughts 😊

[humanbean]

Have you had some iron deficiency tests? I'm not clear on whether you've already had them or if they are coming up.

Have you got any iron results to share?

[smilingjane in reply to humanbean]

Hello HB Thanks for getting back 😊

I have an online FBC test done around 6 months ago.

I will try and copy and paste if it let's me.

[humanbean in reply to humanbean]

Sorry, just re-read your post.

For an iron deficiency test I always do this one :

medichecks.com/products/iro...

An iron deficiency test will tell you if you are low or deficient in iron. But it is possible to be iron deficient without being anaemic.

You should find these links of interest :

irondisorders.org/wp-conten...

restartmed.com/hypothyroidi...

who.int/vmnis/indicators/ha...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

[smilingjane in reply to humanbean]

Thankyou so much .As always, reliable and informative and most importantly... there 🤗

[Noelnoel in reply to humanbean]

Hi humanbean

Your links look interesting so I’ve tried to open them but can’t. It just says: bad request 400 on all of them. Not sure whether it’s my phone or the links because I notice no one else has mentioned a problem but if you have any suggestions I’d be grateful

Thanks

[Stourie in reply to Noelnoel]

Hi Noel I’ve just tried the first link and it worked for me. Just letting you know. Jo xx

[Noelnoel in reply to Stourie]

Stourie

Thank you for letting me know. Must be my phone then. Will try on my iPad later

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Noelnoel]

Just tried all of the links - and all worked for me without any issues at all.

[Noelnoel in reply to helvella]

hellvella.

Thank you for letting me know. Must be my phone then. Will try on my iPad later

[smilingjane in reply to humanbean]

That first link is particularly helpfull and makes the iron test easier to understand. Going to print at east that one out 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You need FULL thyroid and vitamin testing

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

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 .

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

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

[smilingjane in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you Slowdragon Information spot on as always.

🤗🤗

I have booked NHS bloods for Monday and will follow with more privately if some missing.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to smilingjane]

Hopefully it’s an early morning appointment

[smilingjane in reply to SlowDragon]

Of course my friend 😊