other words for ferritin, folate, b12, vit d - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,825 members161,649 posts

other words for ferritin, folate, b12, vit d

Beads73 profile image
14 Replies

Looking for ferritin , folate, vit b12 and d in the doctor test results, there using other medical term words, so not sure what I’m looking for, can some advise please

Also when testing TSH, will f3 and f4 be tested at the same time? Can’t seem to find them will they have another medical name too? Thanks

Written by
Beads73 profile image
Beads73
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
14 Replies
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator

If you’re looking at a tick box type of form it’s hard to say if the items are abbreviated or coded. 

With TFT “ Thyroid function test”. Its often the case that lab machines are automatically set up to test TSH & then FT4 *only* if TSH abnormal.

In most cases blood test forms are printed by doctor & you can’t add additional items.  

I’ve always seen folate, ferritin & B12 to be obvious but vitamin D can sometimes be shown as “Serum total 25-hydroxy”

Beads73 profile image
Beads73 in reply to PurpleNails

one form say serum electrolytes, serum c reactive protein, serum ferritin, serum total protein , ths, so not sure what’s what?

PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator in reply to Beads73

This is good site to learn about test- what they are & how they are used labtestsonline.org.uk

With Electrolytes the commonly tested ones are  sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, and chloride. Calcium, magnesium, phosphate - Often tested with urea.

C-Reactive Protein is an inflammation marker, will tell you if you have inflammation but won’t tell you where & why. 

Total protein is usually tested as part of liver function test. 

TSH (thyroid function, often reflex to FT4 if abnormal) 

Beads73 profile image
Beads73 in reply to PurpleNails

so none of those I showed you were any of the vitamin tests I asked about then?

Beads73 profile image
Beads73 in reply to PurpleNails

so folate is b12

Thanks for that link

in reply to Beads73

folate is B9, B12 is a different B vitamin.

PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator in reply to Beads73

ferritin is on the list you gave for form.

No - Folate is B9 & B12 are separate test - both are B vitamins but doctors rarely test all B vitamins. B9 & B12 are the most commonly tested & often looked at together - but they are requested separately.

Info on B vitamins

nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-...

Beads73 profile image
Beads73 in reply to PurpleNails

thanks , I’m trying to look for thyroid test from September last year and February this year. Notice TSH was 1.75 in sept and 2.33 in feb , had f3/fe tested in feb, but neither in September. I’m feeling a lot worse in the winter months, and wondering if that because it was higher in feb, thanks for your help

Beads73 profile image
Beads73 in reply to PurpleNails

this was my levels in feb

White
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator

Are these NHS tests you are looking through? They are often limited. 

Did you ever arrange thyroid antibody tests? Would likely have to be private test.

Doctors don’t look to treat until TSH over range 2 separate times, 3 months apart - or the is TSH 10 (overt hypothyroidism) or FT4 & FT3 under range.

If tests are limited there isn’t always a full picture.  

If nutrient are low the TSH can lack the reflective response to low thyroid levels - which means low levels are missed.  

Thyroid levels & nutrients can alter considerably so test results have to be recent.  

It can be interesting to track historic reading as a comparison but you can’t rely on a test result from months ago.   

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested? Your February thyroid function test showed level in lower half of range.

It would be helpful to add a history to your bio/profile so members can account for your journey.  

Many could assume you have a diagnosis and currently on replacement & the advice is different for someone seeking a diagnosis.

It can be a summary or more detailed as you wish but having some information will save you having to repeat it with each post. 

Beads73 profile image
Beads73 in reply to PurpleNails

was the feb one was private ( the labs the nhs use) and the sept was was private to for my m.e consultant.

Beads73 profile image
Beads73 in reply to PurpleNails

what does that mean, showing levels of lower half range? Could this be why I have no energy?

PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator in reply to Beads73

Some people naturally have levels which are lower in range.  The range itself is a representation of 95% of the population - there will still be some where their norm will be below or above the “normal range” 

Unfortunately the sept results is TSH only when FT4 & FT3 might have been lower.  You also have no way to compare levels as you have no base line.

Was nutrient tested with February with thyroid function?

 Might be good step to arrange repeat thyroid, function antibodies & nutrients in 1 test.  Eg medicheck advance.

Often it’s quickest way to make progress.  

Beads73 profile image
Beads73 in reply to PurpleNails

feb one had f3/f4 but not the sept one.

No vitamins were tested in feb only ferritin it looks like.

So by these results u know know reason why I feel so bad

Dr my hill recommends metavive, so I might try that

You may also like...

Ferritin and Vit D Improved but Folate and Vit B12 Worse

Vitamin B12 levels are now worse. April Ferritin 52.5ug/L (13-150) Folate 14.12ug/L (>3.89) Vit...

Supplementing vit d, b12, folate and ferritin

I need to take for vit d, b12, folate and ferritin. I am hypothyroid, with results for all of these...

Antibodies, folate, ferritin, B12 and vit D

this illness at times. Ferritin 45 (30 - 400) Folate 1.9 (2.5 - 19.5) Vitamin B12 227 (190 - 900)...

Desirable levels of vit B12, folate, ferritin etc

blood tests anyway. I'm waiting for the results, but want to be know what I should be looking for....

Ferritin, folate, vit D and vit B12 help please

I have the results below for ferritin, folate, vitamin D and B12 below. I take 800iu vitamin D and I