Good afternoon all!Haven't posted in awhile, still going for my monthly blood tests without diagnosis. The doctors are now asking me what I would like to be tested for... all results are coming back 'satisfactory ' or 'within range'. My symptoms are still the same - hair loss, weight gain, brain fog, fatigue and have no stamina or endurance if I go walking, a gym class or even preparing dinner.
My Ferritin (to me) seems low, tested with Medicheck in Oct 22 was 72 (range 30-650). My visit to my GP in March I asked if my Ferritin was low (they never tested) so she gave me a 28 day course of Ferritin but never retested my levels. I mentioned this in my last bloods on 11 May and tested for Ferritin and results were 63 (range 15-300).
I knowing of you have had similar issues with diagnosis. Am I correct that Ferritin should be optimal for the thyroid to work properly?
I am not on any meds, just supplement D3/K2, Folate and a B Complex.
I have made an appointment with a private naturopathic doctor to see what alternatives there are...
I do appreciate all your help and knowledge 🙂
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Dgordon4
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There are a few variations of ranges for ferritin. From the Medichecks range that you have given it would appear that you are over 60, that is the range that the lab INUVI that they use for some of their tests has given for that age range.
If it was sent to County Pathology, also used by Medichecks, the range would be 13-150 (my Medichecks iron test was done with CP and I am over 60 so I know that's the range for them).
My GP's surgery uses the range 15-300 for everyone, male, female and over 60s of both sexes.
So would your ferritin level of 72 (30-650) measure the same if it was sent to County Pathology? I don't know but personally I can't take the 30-650 range seriously.
Some experts say that the optimal ferritin level for thyroid function is 90-110ug/L.
When you posted in February SlowDragon suggested that you request a full iron panel? Did you get this done? A full iron panel tests
Serum iron
Saturation percentage
Total Iron Binding Capacity (or Transferrin)
Ferritin
This test would show if you have iron deficiency. You can have iron deficiency with what appears to be a decent ferritin level.
If you haven't had a full iron panel done you could ask your GP but make sure that all 4 of those tests are included, not just ferritin. Alternatively Medichecks does an Iron Blood Test which is the full iron panel here:
and you should fast for 12 hours before an iron test (water allowed) and leave off B Complex for 3-7 days before any blood test as it contains biotin which skews results.
As you're taking D3/K2 and folate, have you tested lately to ensure you're taking the right doses? Depending on your folate result you may be getting enough from just your B Complex and may be able to drop the folate supplement. Key nutrients should be tested at least once a year and Vit D twice a year to see if we need seasonal changes in dose.
Thank you for your speedy reply! Yes did have iron panel done 11 May 2023:Iron 15 range 10-30
Transferrin 2.3 range 2.0-4.0
Transferrin saturation 26.0 range 20.0-50.0
My test with Medicheck was with Inuvi Diagnostic and my recent test was with the local health board.
I did fast for 12 hours + before hand and just recently started taking the B Complex.
I haven't tried GF yet as I don't eat bread or Gluten based products. I did try dairy free but saw no benefits.
I have been procrastinating getting vitamin testing (been busy at work). But plan on it. My hairless noticeably slowed after taking vitamin D or coincidence perhaps?
Serum iron: 55 to 70% of the range, higher end for men - yours is 15 (10-30) which is 25% which is rather low.
Saturation: optimal is 35 to 45%, higher end for men - yours is 26% which again is on the low side.
Transferrin: Low in range indicates lack of capacity for additional iron, High in range indicates body's need for supplemental iron - yours is 2.3 (2.0-4.0) which is 15% through range and we can see it's low in range.
So your serum iron and saturation are on the low side which might suggest iron supplements may help, but your transferrin is low in it's range which suggests you don't need to supplement iron. This is not uncommon, iron panels can be confusing.
If you wanted to supplement with iron tablets then I'd go carefully and regularly test every couple of months with a full iron panel to check your levels.
You have previously had raised antibodies so do have Hashi's but so far it appears to be in the early stages. It can take quite some years before blood results fall out of range for some people unfortunately.
Have you tried the strictly gluten free diet yet?
As SeasideSusie has recommended, definitely worth retesting vitamin levels to ensure you are taking enough.
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Low vitamin D and Low red blood cells
High Ferritin levels 
ferritin worse than ever
Very worried about undiagnosed autoimmune disorders.
TSH levels all over the place!
