My brother's results -help with interpretation

[Dandelions]

It turns out that my brother has been having the exact same symptoms as I have been having: low energy, low mood, brain fog, lack of concentration. Except for he is not gaining any weight, but eating a lot, which I don't experience. (He's vegan.. not sure if that's relevent. )

I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's. My brother hasn't been, but he's now suspecting his issues might be thyroid related too. There seems to be a strong genetic link because our grandma has had thyroid surgery.

My brother has had bloodtests done: (I'm assuming the numbers on the right are the range.)

He's had ferritin, vitamin B12 and foliumzuur (=folic acid) tested (near top of list). And vitamin D (bottom of the list) Is there anything you could tell me from these results please?

My brother has been very low on Vitamin B12 before. And has been told by the doctor that his body is insufficiently ab

le to uptake the vitamin. He did get Vit. B12 injections for that in the past, but he has since stopped them. I've told him -from reading here- that he'll probably need to keep taking those and re-testing for optimal values. But his results here seem fine, right?

I've only recently been learning from this forum, but I've told him he'll need to have his FT3 en T4 tested too. Is there anything else you would recommend?

There's a test for TPO on there. Do the results on that mean, he doesn't have hashimoto's?

Many thanks for your help. Me and my brother are like the deaf leading the blind. And his GP is more than rubbish.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Is he vegetarian

How old?

For a bloke especially, he has very very low ferritin …..just 8% through range

B12 is on low side

Vitamin D low too

Likely to benefit from taking vitamin D, B12 and vitamin B complex

Plus significantly increasing iron rich foods in his diet

Likely to find he has high thyroid antibodies

[Dandelions in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you Slowdragon.

Yes, he's vegan. He's 35yrs old. Thank you. I'll let him know.

It's got results for thyroid peroxidase antibodies (<35mg ) on there, but I don't think they tested Tga.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Dandelions]

What vitamin supplements is he taking

A highly restrictive diet means it’s his responsibility to supplement to maintain optimal vitamin levels

B12 every day …plus daily vitamin B complex

Plus daily vitamin D

Highly likely to need iron supplements ongoing

After 6-12 months improving all these

He perhaps should consider As a vegan….this is rare instance where it’s important to test iodine levels

Vegan diet is very low in iodine…..but never supplement without testing and even then he would need an iodine specialist endocrinologist

Example of A non-loading urine test

Genova Diagnostics for iodine test

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

Click on "Read the list of available tests" and on page 3 of the pdf you'll see

Urine Iodine Test:

Specimen requirements: Urine

Cost: £71.00

Order Code: END25

Turnaround time: 5 - 10 days

Iodine is an essential trace element, vital for healthy thyroid function. Adequate levels are required to enable the production of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones, whilst also being required in other areas of health.

Deficiencies can lead to impaired heat and energy production, mental function and slow metabolism. Urine iodine is one of the best measures of iodine status. This test is not performed as a loading test, but can be used to establish existing levels or to monitor iodine supplementation.

[Dandelions in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks very much. Very helpful information my brother has said. He has never tested iodine as he lives in the Netherlands and they add iodione to things like bread which he eats. But he'll ask for a test now.

[Dandelions]

I only know he's lowered his B12 intake, as his doctor told him they were fine. I'm glad I can now tell him that you think it's actually rather low, because my guess was that he'd need to continue taking it. I'm not sure about other supplements. The iodine info is also very interesting. I'll pass it on.

I'm still confused about the antibodies. Does he need more tests for that?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Dandelions]

TPO antibodies test is negative

Thyroglobulin antibodies not tested