Help with Iron test results please

[BiscuitBaby]

Inflammation

CRP HS 0.46 mg/L ( 0 - 5)

Iron Status

Iron 22.2 umol/L (5.8 - 34.5)

TIBC 58.0 umol/L (45 - 81)

UIBC 35.8 umol/L (24.2 - 70.1)

Transferrin Saturation 38.3 % (20 - 50)

Ferritin 53.4 ug/L (13 - 150)

These are my results from medichecks iron test. This was a retest and Interestingly my ferritin the week before was 46. I was just finished my period. In October my ferritin was 64.

My other vitamins are fine. I take 100 t4 and 15 t3. I don't have results from this dose yet.

Should I look to supplement iron before ferritin gets even lower?

Thanks as always for all your advice.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

BiscuitBaby

Iron 22.2 umol/L (5.8 - 34.5)

TIBC 58.0 umol/L (45 - 81)

UIBC 35.8 umol/L (24.2 - 70.1)

Transferrin Saturation 38.3 % (20 - 50)

Ferritin 53.4 ug/L (13 - 150)

Should I look to supplement iron before ferritin gets even lower?

Those results do not suggest that you should supplement with iron. Your Ferritin level is on the low side but serum iron and saturation are not.

Optimal iron panel levels according to rt3-adrenals.org/Iron_test_... are:

Serum iron: 55 to 70% of the range, higher end for men - yours is 57.15% so is good.

Saturation: optimal is 35 to 45%, higher end for men - yours is 38.3% so is good.

Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC): Low in range indicates lack of capacity for additional iron, High in range indicates body's need for supplemental iron - yours is 36.11% through range so is at the lower end suggesting no supplement is needed.

Ferritin is on the low side and some experts say that the optimal level for thyroid function is 90-110ug/L.

If you start taking iron tablets you risk your serum iron and saturation going too high and too much iron is as bad as too little. You need to try and improve your ferritin level without raising your iron and saturation levels and it's suggested to try and do this through diet. You can help raise your level by eating liver regularly, maximum 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content, also liver pate, black pudding, and including lots of iron rich foods in your diet

bda.uk.com/resource/iron-ri...

everydayhealth.com/pictures...

[BiscuitBaby in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi SeasideSusieThank you. That's really useful. I've had a look at the links above. I was thinking my lingering symptoms wete due to low iron but they are maybe still linked to low t3? They certainly seem to fit on the chart in the link. I'm due a test soon.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to BiscuitBaby]

Ferritin needs to be at a good level, along with other nutrients, for good conversion to take place.

[BiscuitBaby]

Hopefully I can raise it a bit more through diet but it's really difficult! Thanks.