Blood test results - please help!

[Annieza]

So I had my bloods taken this week as I'm still struggling really bad with constipation and hair loss, as well as cold legs and feet. Here are my results. I think I need to up my iron, B12 and folate but if anyone can spot anything else that would be really helpful. My iron does look in range but i know it may not be optimal. These are not all of them but they are the ones that are either out of range or that i think is relevant. I am a bit concerned about the cholesterol as i eat healthy 99% of the time, but i know this can be linked to Thyroid issues.

Thanks!

Serum ferritin 51 (15.0 - 204.0)

Serum Iron 13.4 (9.0 0- 30.4)

Serum transferrin level 2.8 (1.8 -3.82)

TIBC 63.3 (45.0 - 72.0)

Percentage iron saturation 21.2%Serum alkaline phosphatase level 134 (30 - 130.0) - not sure what this is but its high

Red blood cell count 3.74 (3.9-5.1)

Haematocrit 0.328 (0.35-0.47)

Mean cell haemoglobin level 30.7 (27.0 - 30.0) not sure what this is either but its out of range.

mean cell haemoglobin concentration 351 (317-340)

TSH 4.2 (0.4-4.9)

Vitamin D 96.6 (should be greater than 50)

Haemoglobin A1c level- IFCC standardised 35 (20.0-41.0)

Serum B12 269 (187 - 883)

Serum folate 4.0 (3.1-20.5)

Serum Cholesterol 6.3 (should be less than 5)

Calculated LDL Cholesterol level 4.22 (should be less than 3.3)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

TSH 4.2 (0.4-4.9)

Vitamin D 96.6 (should be greater than 50)

Serum B12 269 (187 - 883)

Serum folate 4.0 (3.1-20.5)

No Ft4 and Ft3 results?

Was thyroid test done early morning, ideally before 9am.

This gives highest TSH

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH

Getting all four vitamins optimal may help increase TSH so you can get started on levothyroxine

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

If not vegetarian or vegan B12 is so low you really need testing for Pernicious Anaemia before starting on daily Vitamin B complex and separate B12

Once had testing for PA …

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B or Jarrow B Right are recommended options that contains folate, but both are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months, then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.

B12 sublingual lozenges

amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Methylc...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

[Annieza in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi

Thanks for your reply,

The earliest I could do my test was 9.20am. I'm sure if it was earlier my TSH would have been over range. No T3 or T4 as it was in range. When I last checked in November through Medichecks, my T4 was in range but on the low end but my T3 was in the middle,

I have managed to get Ferrous Sulfate 200mmg tablets over the counter as the doctor wont prescribe. I take a Vit D gel capsule and spray, I take Turmeric tablets too. I need a good B12 and Folate so I will follow your suggestions above.

You mentioned 4 vitamins, so Vit D, B12 and Folate, which is the 4th you are referring too?

Getting all four vitamins optimal may help increase TSH so you can get started on levothyroxine

Also wont these vitamins help to lower my TSH? I wont to try and avoid medication if I can so was hoping get my vitamins in range would improve my symptoms

Many thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Annieza]

If vitamins are low and thyroid is working ok, improving low vitamins will improve how thyroid works and better vitamin levels will reduce symptoms

If vitamins are low because thyroid is struggling, optimal vitamin levels will improve symptoms, but it won’t fix a dodgy thyroid

Retest thyroid and vitamin levels in 2-4 months after working on improving low B12, folate, iron and ferritin

[greygoose]

I would recommend you read this thread from earlier today. There are a lot of good explanations of high cholesterol.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Lovecake]

You need a lot of levels increased (as others have suggested).Are you on thyroid meds?

When I had those tests done, after my TSH had reached the magic 10, my cholesterol was 6.3

Once on thyroid meds it dropped to under 6.

Once I was REALLY optimal on thyroid meds (thyroxine and T3) it dropped to 5.3

It hovers between 5.3 and 5.7

Like many others, I won’t be taking statins if ever offered.

I’ve heard/read that they don’t actually add a day of extra life to women.

They made my mum very ill when she tried them. I don’t do well on tablets either.

You should find that when your iron/ferritin, B12 and folate levels have improved you will feel somewhat better.

If you are not on thyroid meds, then you may have to wait until your TSH is over 5 before they even give it 2 minutes of their time.

Or do your own home tests and get antibodies, FT4 and FT3 levels checked and post back on here.

🙂

[Annieza in reply to Lovecake]

Thanks Lovecake

I'm not on any medications, and I kind of want to avoid it if i can 'fix' it in other ways. This is the 1st time my cholesterol is high, I do light exercise and eat well 95% of the time so its a bit of a concerns as i never want to be on Statins.

I did private tests with medichecks in November and i have high antibodies, low T4 (but in range) and my T3 was in the middle. I hate that the NHS uses these values though as i come close to 5 but rarely over. When i am over, they retest it and i'm back under!

[Lovecake in reply to Annieza]

That’s fair enough. I hope you are able to keep your levels ok so that you don’t actually need thyroid hormone meds. I found that I just got worse and worse. But, I had no idea it was my thyroid that was the problem as the doctor didn’t mention those results. So I didn’t know any better and it was just assumed I had bad migraines back then.

They tested my folate, gave me tablets that didn’t suit me and assumed it was fixed.

At least you are armed with a lot more info these days.

Isabella Wentz is a big advocate of certain regimes that might help you fight off the reason your thyroid is being attacked.

I wish you well and hope that you are able to keep off thyroxine etc for a good while yet. 🙂🧁

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Annieza]

High cholesterol is linked to being hypothyroid

nhs.uk/conditions/statins/c...

If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.