Help with results please!

[BETD20]

Can anyone help me read my recent blood results from the doctor please? I had a private test and you kindly told me I was low in different areas. These are the results from the doctors which they have said are normal. I can't find my original post.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Click on your name to go to your profile page, then you can see previous posts

Last post 4 months ago

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

Vitamin D insufficient

How much vitamin D have you been taking.

You need to retest vitamin D levels

Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing 

vitamindtest.org.uk

Ferritin was deficient four months ago at 20 and advised you see GP for full iron panel test

Now ferritin is even lower at 11

Likely to need iron transfusion or at very least iron supplements 3 times per day

Will alert humanbean and SeasideSusie to comment on extremely low iron and ferritin

B12 and folate were also terrible too and need retesting

Folate - Serum 9.90 ug/L (8.83 - 60.8) 

Just 2.1% through range 

Vitamin B12  219 nmol/L (145 - 569) 

Just 17.5% through range

Did you get tested for pernicious anaemia

Have you been taking daily separate B12 supplement and vitamin B complex since ?

[BETD20 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you very much. I did start taking B12 with dinner (a red packet, can't remember brand) but my stomach was unsettled around the same time so I was worried I was getting too much. Though feel a bit silly thinking that now. I was also using vitamin D oral spray but have stopped that too. I think I have just been waiting on these results and thought I'll start it all up again properly afterwards. Hard to explain but I am a good at looking after everyone else but not so much myself.

[BETD20 in reply to SlowDragon]

I did ask for full iron count and pernicious anaemia. I emailed the doctor with everything you told me to request and she agreed.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to BETD20]

So have you had testing for Pernicious Anaemia yet

B12 was so low you may need B12 injections

Please add most recent B12, folate and vitamin D results

[BETD20 in reply to SlowDragon]

I only had 1 bloodtest and these are the only results I was sent. I did request full iron count and pernicious anaemia test and the doctor agreed. These are the only results though so that can't have been done then? I will go back to them and double check there are no other results to send.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Unbelievable that dire iron, ferritin and below range transferrin …….and yet no action

Request referral to haematology to investigation into anaemia

[BETD20 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much. I definitely will.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to BETD20]

Are you vegetarian or vegan?

You will see on here thousands upon thousands of U.K. patients are not correctly treated on NHS for vitamin deficiencies

Likely to have to manage improving B12, folate and vitamin D yourself

But insist on retesting B12, folate and test for Pernicious Anaemia BEFORE starting any B vitamins

GP/NHS should be treating your anaemia.

And investigating the cause of multiple vitamin deficiencies

[BETD20 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you very much. No, not vegetarian or vegan. I have messaged the doctor back asking for further tests for suspected anaemia. Happy to treat whatever I need to myself. I do worry about levels and taking too much though.

[BETD20 in reply to SlowDragon]

I am exhausted by the end of the day, after working and sorting my children - I keep wanting to exercise then just don't as feel too tired. I always scold myself as think it's because I am too overweight and lazy but perhaps there is more to it and this will help me to feel more energised to do things like exercising.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to BETD20]

Would suspect that low vitamin levels are due to under performing thyroid

But thyroid needs optimal vitamin levels to work well

First step is to get all four vitamins improved to optimal levels

If thyroid is the culprit TSH should rise and you can get started on levothyroxine

If poor vitamin levels are the cause then thyroxine levels should improve

[BETD20 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much. I will reply again tomorrow to make sure I am straight on what I can take myself before being tested again. If you don't mind me doing that. Very grateful for your help. I find it all quite confusing as you can probably tell!!

[BETD20 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you again.So I should start on vitamin D immediately but wait for further tests before I begin anything else?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to BETD20]

Yes correct

Have you not been taking any vitamin D since previous post

Suggest you reread all replies from that post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

Get yourself some vitamin D mouth spray

betteryou.com/collections/v...

One spray = 1000iu

Start with 3 sprays per day

After 2-3 weeks add a separate magnesium supplement in evening

Eg Natural calm magnesium

uk.iherb.com/pr/natural-vit...

Meanwhile for low B12 and low folate…..get tested via GP for pernicious anaemia BEFORE starting any B12 or vitamin B complex

[BETD20]

Yes, I will go back and read all. Thank you. I started on vit D spray but stopped. I have 2 bottles so will continue from today. Just on phone to docs to push for further tests.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

BETD20

Your full blood count is good, you do not have anaemia.

Your iron panel is dire and suggests iron deficiency. You can have iron deficiency with or without anaemia. An iron panel does not show anaemia, it's the full blood count which show anaemia.

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 12.4 (11-30) which is just 7.37% through it's range.

Saturation: optimal is 35 to 45%, higher end for men - you do not appear to have had this tested which is a pity.

Transferrin: Low in range indicates lack of capacity for additional iron, High in range indicates body's need for supplemental iron - yours is 3.32 (1.80-3.60) which is 84.44% through range which would be classed as high in range so suggests the need to supplement with iron.

Ferritin: Low level virtually always indicates need for iron supplementation - yours is 12 (10-200) which is just 1.05% through range which is absolutely dire.

When you see results like this and they have been ignored by doctors, it makes you wonder what they have instead of a brain, surely something must tell them that the results are poor, especially your ferritin and serum iron. They even have a very big clue with the NICE guidelines which say

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...

In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency.

If I were you I'd print off the guideline and show it to your GP, politely request something is done about your iron panel results and don't take no for an answer. If he says all normal because they are in range then point out the percentage through range and say someone with their levels at the top of the range would also be classed as normal. (If you take someone into the consultation with your, preferably a male, you are less likely to be dismissed.)

Here is a list of symptoms of iron deficiency, list any you are experiencing to support your request for further action from your GP:

Symptoms of iron deficiency include:

◾Persistent fatigue

◾Pale skin

◾Shortness of breath

◾Headaches

◾Dizziness

◾Heart palpitations

◾Dry skin

◾Brittle hair and hair loss

◾Swelling or soreness of the tongue or mouth

◾Restless legs

◾Brittle or ridged nails

and symptoms of low ferritin include:

◾Weakness

◾Fatigue

◾Difficulty concentrating

◾Poor work productivity

◾Cold hands and feet

◾Poor short-term memory

◾Difficulty remembering names

◾Dizziness

◾Pounding in the ears

◾Shortness of breath

◾Brittle nails

◾Headaches

◾Restless legs

[Miffie]

I agree you would benefit from an iron infusion. I sincerely hope your GP will refer you asap. You can also ask about iron injections to maintain. Regrettably these seemto be another postcode lottery treatment.

WhereI live ferritin must drop to under 10 to have any treatment other than tablets. Then it’s an infusion and if a follow up blood test shows over 10 it’s no further action. I cannot tolerate oral iron to just so just have to wait to drop sufficiently to be treated. I am currently on 12 and have been for a couple of months. Feritin over 30 once in nearly 3 years. I hope you have better luck as even an iron panel is refused at my surgery. Take care