Help with blood test results please?

[infomaniac]

My hair has been falling out lately so I'm just back from doc's where she pronounced everything as "normal" but said my Thyroid and Calcium were both low.

She didn't even test T3 so God only knows how she decided my Thyroid was low!

The rest of the results were:

Iron 116 (37 - 175)

Ferritin 157 (14 - 233)

Folic Acid 6.1 (2.2 - 15)

Vit D 68.5 (30-100)

Zinc 111 (60-150)

I think rather than being "normal" they could all do with being a bit higher?

My calcium was 8.4 (8.5 - 10.5), which is low. Does anyone know if any other supplements could cause calcium to be low? I supplement with D3 and Magnesium. What is the best way to improve levels?

Many thanks.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

previous post 12 months ago

T3 - 12.50mcg and T4 - 75mcg

TSH 0.16 (0.23 - 5.50)

FT3 2.66 (2.00 - 4.40)

F T4 1.16 (0.80 -1 80 )

I'm confused as my TSH is really low while neither T3/T4 is particularly high

Iron 81 (37 - 175)

Ferritin 226 (14-233) 

Calcium 9.4 (8.5 -10.5)

B12 778 (200 -850)

(I take supplements)

Folic Acid 5.3 (2.2 - 15.0) (I recently took a course of Folate but it doesn't seem to have made any difference)

Vitamin D 25 40.3 (Sufficient 30-100)

FT4: 1.16 pmol/l (Range 0.8 - 1.8)

Ft4 only 36.00% through range

FT3: 2.66 pmol/l (Range 2 - 4.4)

Ft3 only 27.50% through range

Most people when adequately treated will have both Ft4 and Ft3 at least 50% through range

Are you still on same dose levothyroxine and T3

You need to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together

Last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Last 1/4 tablet T3 approx 8-12 hours before test

[infomaniac in reply to SlowDragon]

Slowdragon, I don't really understand why you have posted my results from 12 months ago? I deliberately didn't post my latest Thyroid results as my T3 wasn't tested so that's on the back burner for now. I was really wanting help with the results I've posted, particularly Calcium.

Yes, I am still on the same dose. I took my T4 24 hours prior but took my T3 12 hours prior as that's what I thought was recommended?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Can you include the thyroid results (with ranges) too?

There's no B12 result, your folate could be improved a little.

[infomaniac in reply to Jaydee1507]

I didn't show my Thyroid results as my T3 wasn't tested. I am going to get it done in the next few days. My B12 was 808 ((200 - 850) which I didn't think was too bad?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to infomaniac]

B12 is fine, but to use B12 you need a good folate level. Your folate needs a small boost. You haven't said if and what you're supplementing with? Magnesium is also required. I use a topical spray to avoid thyroid hormone absorption issues.

Noone can comment on your thyroid levels without results. For your GP to say you are low must be something.

[infomaniac in reply to Jaydee1507]

I take a vitamin B complex but stopped this well over a week ago as I knew I was going to have a blood test so my Folate might well be low but maybe not as low as it seems? I take 600mg of Magnesium every night.

FT4 0.72 (0.80 - 1.80)

TSH 0.05 (0.23 - 5.50) (I take both T3 and T4)

[LindaC in reply to Jaydee1507]

Is there an issue taking folate OR is the problem = folic acid? Seen it somewhere on here... would appreciate info. if you can oblige.

[infomaniac in reply to LindaC]

No I don't have an issue. I took Folate a little while back when I noticed it was low, then it must have disappeared from my consciousness...as a lot of things do! I have just ordered some Methylfolate so hopefully it will sort things out.

[LindaC in reply to infomaniac]

Hi - sorry, my response was to JayDee150? about the apparent issue with one of them?? Oh, thanks for the reminder of Methylfolate. Take care and be well.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to LindaC]

Yes there's a difference between the folates. One is an inactive vitamin (folic acid), the other is preferable, and the active form - methylfolate. Look for the word active on packaging. Thorne Basic B contains all the B vits we need in their active form.

[LindaC in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you so much! Amidst so much to discover -bogged down with all manner of stuff - I've never quite stored this. Best to you and thanks again.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

infomaniac

I think rather than being "normal" they could all do with being a bit higher?

Iron 116 (37 - 175)

Your serum iron is 57% through range. According to rt3-adrenals.org/Iron_test_... the optimal level is 55-70% (higher end for males) so yours is good.

Ferritin 157 (14 - 233)

Ferritin is recommended to be half way through range, yours is 65.3% through range. If you have no inflammation (would show if CRP was tested) then this is a good result.

So your iron and ferritin results do not show any need to be any higher (as long as ferritin is not elevated due to inflammation, but your serum iron is fine).

Folic Acid 6.1 (2.2 - 15)

Folate should be at least half way through range, so about 8.5 or more with that range.

However, you left your B Complex off for "well over a week" which is unnecessary. Yes, we do need to leave it off because the biotin it contains can cause false results but 3-7 days is enough. 3 days for the small amount in a B Complex (often around 400mcg) and 7 days for the large amounts, eg 5mg or 10mg, in stand alone biotin supplements or hair/nail supplements.

So maybe next time don't leave it off for so long, or take a separate folate supplement in the days running up to your blood tet.

Vit D 68.5 (30-100)

With that range then the unit of measurement must be ng/ml. The Vit D Council, Vit D Society and Grassroots Health all recommend a level of 40-60ng/ml with a recent blog post on Grassroots Health recommending at least 50ng/ml.

You do not need this level to be any higher.

Zinc 111 (60-150)

I have read that zinc is recommended to be half way through range, and with that range that would be 105, so this level doesn't need to be any higher.

[infomaniac in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you so much Susie. That's exactly what I needed to know. I didn't intend to go so long without Vit B, I just kept putting off as I hate going to the doctor! Can you help with Calcium at all please? I have to go back in 4 weeks so need to get my levels up somehow.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to infomaniac]

Can you help with Calcium at all please?

It's not really my "thing", sorry, I've not had a problem in that department so not really looked too much into it.

Taking D3 aids absorption of calcium from food so as your Vit D level has improved so much with your supplement I don't think there's a problem there.

Do you get enough calcium from your diet?

I can't advise about calcium supplements so probably discussing with your GP is the way to go here. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

[Wua13262348 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Don't know if this is helpful or not, but chia seeds one of best sources of calcium. I am dairy free, so take 2 teaspoons per day in smoothies. Aldi sell them.

[infomaniac in reply to Wua13262348]

Yes I just read that today, thank you 😊

[Wua13262348 in reply to infomaniac]

Replied to Seaside Susie by mistake, instead of infomaniac.

[infomaniac]

That's fine Susie. My doctor (I'm in Spain) is about as much good as an ashtray on a motorbike so I'll give Dr Google a go! Thanks a lot.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

calcium is only tiny amount below range

usually low calcium is due to low vitamin D

But your vitamin D levels are good

Are you on dairy or lactose free diet

healthline.com/health/calci...

[infomaniac in reply to SlowDragon]

I supplement with D3. I am not great with Lactose so don't have a lot of dairy, but do have cheese probably once/twice a week.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to infomaniac]

so this probably accounts for lower calcium levels

List of calcium rich foods

healthline.com/nutrition/15...

Avoid soya on this list