I’ve asked a lot of questions on here lately and have received some really helpful and sound advice. This time I hope you can help with my dad’s reasonably comprehensive results.
His thyroid hormones have been going awry for a couple of years and GP has just been monitoring. He takes no thyroid replacement at all but discovering things were going a bit wrong my mum got him supplementing and some levels have improved but everything seems inconsistent, which, thinking about it, might actually reflect his haphazard method of taking them though to be fair, these last few months he takes them regularly. His TFTs have also improved (or have they really) with the exception of TSH which is consistently over range except for once in Oct 21 when it was well below range.
All tests were carried out between 8.15 and 8.45 on an empty stomach (though jimh111 says this is unnecessary) and with having stopped all supplements about 10 days before - although again, as I understand it, only iron and biotin need be stopped.
March 21
TFTs
TSH 5.65* (0.35 - 5.5)
Ft4 10.2* (10.5 - 21.0)
No Ft3
NUTRIENTS
B12 510 (211 - 911) 43%
Folate 4.6* (>5.38)
Vit d 95 (50 is sufficient for most)
IRON STUDIES
Ferritin 34.1 (22.0 - 322) 4%
Serum iron 23.5 (14 - 31.3) 55%
Transferrin 3.07 (2.15 - 3.65) 61%
% iron saturation 34 (16.0 - 50.0)
April 21
TFTs
TPO Ab <28 (0.0 - 60.0)
TSH 5.65* (0.35 - 5.5)
Ft4 12.3 (10.5 -21.0) 17.14%
Ft3 5.2 (3.6 - 6.5) 56.67%
NUTRIENTS
B12 540 (211 - 911) 47%
Folate 5.92 (> 5.38) unhepfully there’s no range
No Vit d
IRON STUDIES
Ferritin 23.3 (22.0 - 322) 0.43%
Serum iron 18.5 (14 - 31.3) 26.01%
Transferrin 2.73 (2.15 - 3.65) 38.67%
% iron saturation 30% (16.0 - 50.0)
Aug 21
TFTs
TPOab < 28 (0.0 - 60.0)
TSH 6.11* (0.35 - 5.5)
Ft4 13.5 (10.5 - 21.0) 28.5%
Ft3 4.4 (3.5 - 6.5) 30%
NUTRIENTS
B12 701 (211 - 911) 74.47%
Folate 7.45 (>5.38)
Ferritin 26.7 ((22.0 - 322.0) 1.57%
No iron studies
Oct 21
TFTs
TSH 0.03* (0.35 - 5.5)
Ft4 12.8 (10.5 - 21.0) 21.9%
No Ft3
NUTRIENTS
B12 661 (211.0 - 911.0) 64.29%
Folate 9.91 (>5.38)
IRON STUDIES
Ferritin 73 (10.0 -291.0) 22.42%
Serum iron 23.6 (10.0 - 30.4) 66.67%
Transferrin 2.84 (2.5 - 3.8) 26.15%
% iron saturation 37% (16.0 - 50.0)
Dec 21
TFTs
No antibody test
TSH 6.68* (0.35 - 5.5)
Ft4 14 (10.0 - 21.0) 33.33%
Ft3 4.5 (3.5 - 6.5) 33.33%
NUTRIENTS
B12 733 (211 - 911) 74.71%
Folate 8.09 (>5.38)
IRON STUDIES
Ferritin 34.5 (22.0 - 322.0) 4.17%
Serum iron 20.2 (14.0 - 31.3) 35.84%
Transferrin 2.68 (2.15 - 3.65) 35.33%
% iron saturation 33% (16 - 50)
Perhaps I’ve provided too much information because when trying to study these numbers to glean some clues, my eyes start twitching, so maybe ignore October’s as it doesn’t include Ft3.
I would also like some help with the iron studies please if you can. What on earth do they mean?
When I posted my mum’s a couple of weeks ago a member commented that mum’s were pretty good and that only ferritin could maybe do with some help and from what I understood, transferrin indicates whether iron needs improving. In other words, if ferritin is low in range, this indicates lack of capacity for additional iron but if so, are we talking about lack of capacity for % iron or serum iron. It seems very complex but it would be useful to know because as well as supplementing with iron he also eats liver once a week and other red meats and like my mum, he’s doing this without really understanding the iron studies. No, I’ll re-phrase that, he’s clueless about iron studies and everything else regarding his labs!
I do appreciate there’s a lot of information to digest so I’m not expecting too much from you and especially as it’s the weekend but whatever you can offer, I’ll be very grateful for.
I should add that overall he feels and looks well but his enthusiasm for the gym is non-existent now and he never runs anymore and he does a lot of sitting around doing as little as possible.
Thank you.
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musicaljune
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When I posted my mum’s a couple of weeks ago a member commented that mum’s were pretty good and that only ferritin could maybe do with some help and from what I understood, transferrin indicates whether iron needs improving. In other words, if ferritin is low in range, this indicates lack of capacity for additional iron but if so, are we talking about lack of capacity for % iron or serum iron.
Here is the post I wrote about your mum's iron panel:
If serum iron and saturation are good then that means there is no iron deficiency and that's when taking iron wouldn't be recommended.
Low ferritin needs addressing.
IRON STUDIES
Ferritin 34.5 (22.0 - 322.0) 4.17%
Serum iron 20.2 (14.0 - 31.3) 35.84%
Transferrin 2.68 (2.15 - 3.65) 35.33%
% iron saturation 33% (16 - 50)
Is this the latest test, the December one?
If so then Ferritin is very low.
Serum iron is lower than the "55 to 70% of the range, higher end for men" that is said to be the optimal level.
Transferrin is less than half way through range and "Low in range indicates lack of capacity for additional iron, High in range indicates body's need for supplemental iron".
Saturation % is on the lowish side as "35 to 45%, higher end for men" is optimal.
His results have been a mixed bag over time and ferritin has always been very low. The October one where it was 73 could well have been raised due to infection or inflammation, if CRP was done at the same time this is also an inflammation marker so could give a clue.
Due to his history of low ferritin maybe a discussion with his GP pointing this out, but because it's in range and GPs' lack of knowledge of nutrients he may not get anywhere.
Sorry, I have to leave it at that for now, I may be able to come back later and look at the rest of the results.
Thank you SeasideSusie for the clarification. Yes, the latest test is Dec 21
If serum iron and saturation are good then that means there is no iron deficiency and that's when taking iron wouldn't be recommended.
His serum iron is quite a bit lower than the recommended level and % saturation for a man isn’t good either and although ferritin is very low, transferrin seems not to be able to make up its mind and is rather in the fence. A good enough case to continue with iron supplementation? He will however ask for a more up-to-date test before making that decision.
CRP is always <4 (0.0 - 6.0)
His levels in all areas have certainly been a mixed bag and if you can spare the time, any comments on TFTs would be appreciated very much, although I can see they’ll take some looking at as they’re all over the place.
Thank you again for your time and helpful insight.
The above is the link to my reply on your thread about your mum's results. In that reply you will see the link I gave to where that information came from - rT3adrenals.org website.
Thank you SlowDragon and for the helpful link which was read with interest.
The only investigation he’s had is the stool test we all get at over 60. He’s had his second now which were both fine. His gums have always bled despite good dental hygiene and regular dental checks but this could be I suppose, a possible cause of his poor iron studies … what are your thoughts?
He’s 65 and historically his diet has been very good but since his blood test it now includes meat and fish of some sort every day, including liver and steak and accompanied by lots of veg, especially green. Breakfast is eggs or porridge and once a week a full English that includes black pudding. We’re hoping/expecting his next test to show an iron study improvement and especially as he’s been taking elemental liquid iron with acerola since December along with:
Metabolics B complex
Pure encapsulations Mag citrate and glycinate
Nature provides Vit D+K2
Viridian selenium
Knowing his TPO and TG would give a diagnosis but would it make any difference to how his hypothyroidism is treated and can you explain why he needs both please, so that when GP calls my dad can state his case?
Yes, all his tests have been before 9am. I notice you haven’t said: on an empty stomach. Has that advice now been dropped?
Thank you very much for your support and suggestions.
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Could somebody take a look at my blood results
I have been summoned to see the local Endo at Addenbrooke's as I take T3!!!
Do I need T3 or increase of levo?
Can anyone help me interpret my results so I can articulate myself better with my GP?
