New bloods - confused about iron study outcomes

[AtemiM]

Good afternoon Fabulous people – hoping for your wisdom again.

I had new bloods on 10th June (8 week check on levo dosage). I knew that the NHS bloods wouldn’t test FT3 and FT4 (even though they were specifically requested on the form by the GP). I ordered a medichecks test to test these privately. Both tests done before 7.30am, fasted (just water) with 24 hours since last levo dose (62.5 mcg).

Results as follows:

NHS TSH (10th June): 4.45 miu/L (0.49-5.23) – 83.54% (was 4.77 in March).

Medichecks (sample 8th June):

TSH: 4.66 miu/L (0.27-4.2) – 111.70%

FT4: 17 pmol/L (12-22) – 50% (was at 19% in January)

FT3: 5.62 pmol/L (3.18-6.8) – 68.11% (was at 55.95% in January)

These are definitely moving in the right direction. I will ask for another dose uplift to 75mcg and an 8-week retest.

What has me somewhat confused are my iron studies (results that were flagged as abnormal in bold):

Serum iron level 27.0 umopl/L (9 – 30.4)

Serum ferritin 42ug/L (10-291) (was 10ug/L in March)

Unsat Iron binding capacity 57 umol/L (45-81)

Serum transferrin 2.26 g/L (2.5 – 3.8)

Transferrin Saturation index – 48% (15-40%)

Serum folate – 3.1 ug/L (3.9 - ) (was 5.8 in March)

Other tests for info:

Serum adjusted calcium conc 2.15nmol/L (2.2 – 2.6) (previously 2.29 in January)

Vit D 64 nmol/L (50-250) (previously 18 nmol/L in January)

Vit B12 363ng/L (211-911) (previously 361ng/L in January)

(I have been using D3/K2 spray and Farrow B12 (stopped the B12 a week before bloods were done).

From some google investigation a high transferrin saturation would indicate iron-loading, but this doesn’t seem to fit with the iron levels. I took (prescribed) ferrous fumarate tablets from 21st April to 18th May due to low ferritin (in March) but had long finished them before these bloods on 10th June.

The only other difference is I have been strictly gluten-free since receiving my coeliac diagnosis on 7th May.

Any advice appreciated as always.

Thanks

Mx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So B12 and folate are far too low

Rather than just taking separate B12, you also need a good quality daily vitamin B complex, as well

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...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate methyl folate supplement and separate B12 (eg Jarrow)

You don’t need to stop B12

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.

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...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

How other member saw how effective improving low B vitamins has been

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Vitamin D is coming up nicely

Will leave iron results for SeasideSusie or humanbean to comment on

which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Avoid getting different brand when dose is increased to 75mcg per day

[AtemiM in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon .

It was the Farrow B right complex that I was taking (and have restarted). I believe that has folate? I stopped taking it because of the advice here re: biotin. I also have a separate (sublingual) B12 and take magnesium, in addition to the D3/K3 spray.

I have Teva brand levo but don't feel like it disagrees with me particularly (thyroid side of things seems to be on the right path - slow and steady as it is with the incremental uplifts (which I know are necessary)).

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to AtemiM]

Ok …..you said it was B12

Jarrow B right is vitamin B complex

Stop this a week before blood test

In that week before test, instead take a separate methyl folate and continue with separate B12

Have you only ever been on Teva?

Teva is only brand that makes 75mcg

See how you get on on 75mcg

[AtemiM in reply to SlowDragon]

I had mercury 50mcg for the first month then the pharmacy have me Teva for the next repeat. I thought I would try it and didn't notice any difference. I've been taking a 50mcg and 12.5mcg Teva to make my current dose.