Advice needed please

[Nackapan]

Hello.I'm a regular user of the PA forum.

I'm on regular b12 injections making slow but steady progress over 4 years .

On my last blood test ;

My plasma TSH level was 4.04mu/L(0.3-5.6)

Ferritin 52ug/L(11-307)

Haemoglobin 135g/L(120-150)

Neutrophil count 6.5(2-7)

Plasma iron level 10.2umol/l(10.7-32)

Vit D 67nmol/l(40.0-250)

Does state insuffirnt 50-75

I take 3000 ug vit D

Ferrous fumarate 210 x 3 times a week

Solgar gentle iron and spartone alterating .

Multivit alternating with one for vision and one for 50+

Vit c snd zinc

Stopped b6 as the bottle finished snd noticed no difference after I thought a shift I energy at the start ???

Magnesium bought but decided not needed as blood level fine and in multivit

My TSH was 2.29

To 3.3 ovef 4 years .

I've increased my vit D from 21

" " " ferritin from 29

I've lowered my cholesterol to what is wax 5 years ago

B12 was 106 now over 2000

My latest symptoms;

Weight gain

Fatigue hard to measure as continuous

Dry itchy scalp for ovef a year now.

Hair thinned but hairless regrown.

I'm due a blood test next month.

My Gp puts TSH on every time.

What else can j ask for??

When j asked about TSH level up.

She said it varies and to see what the next blood test says .

Seems I've sorted othef things for the better thfn this happens. ??

Any help / guidance appreciated

[Imaaan]

Since your TSH is inching towards the top of the range you should ask for a free t3 and free t4 along with antibodies.

Regarding your vit d, you might want to bump up your vit d3 intake to 8000 to 10 000 and add in 100mcg of vit k2.

As for the iron, why do you take the higher dose only 3 times a week? Is it because of digestive issues or is it regarding hepacidin and iron absorption ?

Have you ever tried heme iron? On the days you're alternating, I'd be more inclined to take 3 tablets of Opitfera with the solgar instead of Spatone since it has a measly amount of iron. Adding lamb/chicken liver to the mix is beneficial as well.

This may or may not be applicable to you but whenever my ferratin is not optimal I slightly struggle with higher doses of d3 and taking a k2.

[Nackapan in reply to Imaaan]

Thank you I do take vitamin D with K2 I a a spray.

I eat meat snd don't exclude anything

I will look into further testing

[greygoose]

Very, very bad idea to take any sort of multi-vit, for multiple reasons, not least being that it will contain things that you probably don't need and might do you harm, like calcium and iodine. Also poor quality, less-absorbable ingredients. And, if it contains iron, that will block the absorption of all vitamins. Iron should be taken at least two hours away from everything else, except vit C. You might just as well pour your money down the drain.

Your TSH is saying you're hypo - a euthyroid TSH is around 1, never over 2 - but doctors think it has to be over 10 before they will diagnose. That said, the TSH is a very poor indicator of thyroid status. What you need is the actual thyroid hormones tested: FT4 and FT3. But, very unlikely the lab would do them because your TSH is in-range, even if the doctor requests them. Which is why so many people get private testing. Details of private testing here:

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

Welcome to the forum.

[Nackapan in reply to greygoose]

Thank you

[greygoose in reply to Nackapan]

You're welcome.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

No result for folate? Its also a B12 cofactor.

Multivits not recommended for many reasons. Often contain things that prevent you absorbing others, low % and poor quality, not enough to raise levels when deficient. You'd be better off with an active/methyl B complex to keep all your B's in balance.

For thyroid blood tests, recommended to book blood test for 9am or as close as possible as this is when TSH is highest. Do the test fasting for consistency.

Ask GP for thyroid antibody tests as another indicator if they are positive.

[Nackapan in reply to Jaydee1507]

Folate level is fine .A multivit works for me. Going by bloods.

I will ask for an antibody thyroid test .

Will also book an early blood test

Thank you for your reply

[Cornwaller]

It sounds like you may have hypothyroidism. B12 deficiency and hypothyroidism are common co morbidities additionally your tsh is high and heading the wrong way. You could ask the GP to trial thyroid medication to see if it helps. Probably a more fruitful way forward than endless blood tests and prevarication.

[Libuse]

Morning Nackapan. I thought I was on the wrong forum when I saw your name! I can’t advise you but I can empathise. I was diagnosed with B12 deficiency 2 years ago for dietary reason (for 15 years I have been fed intravenously following cancer treatment resulting in poor absorption of B12). I was offered the usual standard treatment despite numbness in hands and feet. I joined PA forum and as a result of support from many kind contributors including yourself and Wedgwood, I took the plunge and now self inject EOD. I November I suffered an awful attack of vertigo, collapsed and couldn’t stand for 12 hours let alone walk in a straight line. With support from husband staggered to surgery and following blood test TSH of 67 revealed (B12- 2000!). Now on 25 mgm of thyroxine daily, fighting to get this increased to 50mgm. Sound familiar? I feel like yourself, hair thinned, dry flaky skin, thought I was on the up……….

[Nackapan in reply to Libuse]

Oh dear.Hope it works.

[KBird01]

Hi  Nackapan - fancy seeing you over here! I joined the Thyroid forum for advice on my search for a diagnosis. I saw this post this morning, which might be of interest re: ferritin.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

It's interesting to read that even ferritin levels of 50 or more, can still be considered inadequate in the presence of other issues. (mine have currently fallen to 26, but my GP says no prob as in range... 😑).

Good luck on your journey too... 🤗

[Nackapan in reply to KBird01]

Help I dong understand your result different measurement ?The range the TSh was 0.3 mu/l-5.6 on my blood form

Thanks for the link

[KBird01]

Sorry Nackapan ! My comment was in reference to ferritin levels not TSH. Think you'd be in trouble with a TSH of 50+! (although you might actually get a diagnosis! 😉) I've amended my post to avoid confusing anyone else.

[Nackapan]

Arrh ferritin level.Yes dropped to 29

Slowly raised it to45-58 over a yesr or more.

Low ferritin levels I've read fo mimic hypothyroidism.

Will try and up iron.

Gp asked several times about this.

Ijusti firm her what I'm doing .

Then ask after a blood test.

Get noncommittal or help.

On one booked telephone appointment.

To discuss blood results and ask about what iron to take.

No answers.

Critised the mess of my medical notes ???

Cancelled my ongoing b1w prescription.

Had to sort that out.

So much for getting any answers???

We are told to be careful with iron supplements after all.

[Imaaan in reply to Nackapan]

To give some perspective, the midway point of your ferratin range is 159. You're nowhere near it and would probably benefit from increasing your iron supplementation.