I would appreciate any advice on my iron panel results
Blue Horizon
CRP. < 0.6
Iron 32.30. (5.8-34.5)
Ferritin 150 ( 13-150)
Transferrin saturation 55.6. ( 20-50)
TIBC. 58.1. (45-81
Cortisol 404. (166-507)
NHS results
Haemoglobin concentration 145. (120-250
Red blood cell count 4.80 (3.8-4.80)
Haematocrit 0.44 (0.36-0.46)
Mean cell volume 92. (83-101)
Mean cell Haemoglobin level 30.2. ( 27-32)
Mean cell Haemoglobin concentration 327 (315-345)
Bean101,
Transferrin saturation is only a calculation of the other results. It demonstrates through this calculation how much transferrin (transporter) is saturated and in transit around the body. This also gives an idea how much capacity is left to bind iron and move to appropriate sites (such as ferritin).
It is calculated by dividing the S/I by TIBC, x 100, and rounding to nearest tenth of a decimal place. S/I/TIBC) x 100=TS%
For example - your S/I is 32.30 & TIBC is 58.1 so (32.50 divided by 58.1) x 100 = 55.59
T/S ranges vary slightly but usually anything over 45% -50% is considered high. This has happened because all your numbers are on the high side. If you are supplementing iron you need to slow down and if you aren’t, you need to check in a few months that iron hasn’t crept any higher.
Your RBC is good and representative of all that iron you have that is working so well.
No I don’t take any iron and only have red meat once a week, so I am concerned about the results
Bean101,
When we are hypothyroid, iron metabolism can slow down. Equally if thyroid meds have suddenly started working better they can up-regulate iron metabolism and the whole erythropoiesis process.
I wouldn't worry at this stage as things may even out. (I have genetic iron overload and my T/S has been 99% and is usually always over range). However, I would make your GP aware and ask that iron levels be monitored, say every 4 months just to know what is happening as excess unbound iron is toxic. .
Thank you Radd, I have just received thyroid results
TSH. 0.01. (0.27-4.20)
T4 86.7 (66-181)
FT4 14.9. (12-22)
FT3 5.76 (3-1-6.8)
Bean101
CRP. < 0.6
I believe the BH range for CRP is <5. Your result is nice and low and doesn't suggest any inflammation, this tells us that your ferritin result will be a true measure (ferritin rises with inflammation).
Iron 32.30. (5.8-34.5)
Ferritin 150 ( 13-150)
Transferrin saturation 55.6. ( 20-50)
TIBC. 58.1. (45-81)
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 92.33% so is almost top of range.
Saturation: optimal is 35 to 45%, higher end for men - yours is 55.6% so again is high
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 36.39% so towards the lower end suggesting no need for supplements.
Ferritin: some experts say the optimal level for thyroid function is 90-110ug/L.
Your iron panel shows high for everything with TIBC showing no need for supplements.
Do you take any iron supplements at all?
Haemoglobin concentration 145. (120-250
Red blood cell count 4.80 (3.8-4.80)
Haematocrit 0.44 (0.36-0.46)
Mean cell volume 92. (83-101)
Mean cell Haemoglobin level 30.2. ( 27-32)
Mean cell Haemoglobin concentration 327 (315-345)
These results don't suggest anaemia, they all sit nicely within their ranges except red blood cell count which is top of range but I don't know if this is significant, maybe ask your GP to keep an eye on it if you're concerned.
Thank you for your reply, no I don’t take any iron
So you seem to be making a very good amount of iron naturally. Your results are within range, apart from saturation which is over range.
Do you have a previous iron panel that you can compare these results to, just wondering if your level is increasing which would suggest that maybe you should discuss with your GP and suggest monitoring.
November 2022
CRP. 0.3
Iron. 26.5. (5.8-34.5)
TIBC. 60.7 (45-82)
UIBC 34.2 (24.2-70)
Trans 43.7 (20-50)
Ferritin 122 (13-150))
Both results I was on 62.5T4 & 15T3
Should I stop vitamin C?
Is there anything I can do to get it down?
Should I stop vitamin C?
Taking Vit C with iron tablets aids absorption of iron so I wouldn't have thought that was anything to do with your current iron levels considering that you don't take iron tablets.
Your levels seem to have risen quite a lot since last time so I would discuss with your GP.
Is there anything I can do to get it down?
I think that's a question for your GP but as the levels are within range, albeit close to the top and rising, I wouldn't be surprised if GP says they're fine.
Bean101,
You can inhibit absorption of iron by not supplementing Vit C close to meals, especially those foods high in iron, and replace accompanying drinks with milk or water. Drinks that aid iron absorption are orange and juice and alcohol so need to avoided near foods.
Also watch out for iron in supplements (that you didn't realise was there) and fortified cereals, etc.
The body can't excrete iron so has lots of safety mechanisms to only allow absorbtion of what can be stored or utilised. Sometimes these mechanisms can go askew or genetic impairments are slowly disclosed after periods stop. Are you (peri) menopausal?
I am menopause
Bean101,
My haemochramaotosis was diagnosed when my periods stopped. The biggest clue is the T/S starts rising alongside or even ahead of ferritin levels. Just ask your GP to monitor your iron levels via an iron panel. As I said it might be blip that evens out.
'TSH. 0.01. (0.27-4.20)
T4 86.7 (66-181)
FT4 14.9. (12-22)
FT3 5.76 (3-1-6.8)
I’m on 62.5T4 ( mercury pharma) 15T3. I’m feeling awful'
If you feel awful, it definitely isn't a lack of iron thats prohibiting meds from working! 62.4mcg of Levo isn't much. If this were me I would try raising FT4 levels by increasing T4 meds and reduce T3 by 5mcg to prevent levels going over range.
When we medicate T3 we only get T3, but when we medicate T4 along side T3, we get that T4 and T3 but also an extra amount of T3 by its presence inducing a positive effect on the deiodinases (converting enzymes of T4).
It is important not to take thyroid hormones levels higher than your body needs or it will start turning the excess to inactive metabolites (more safety mechanisms). This is why I would reduce T3 levels to maintain an equal ratio between FT4 and FT3.
I have D101 +|+
D102 +~
Bean101,
Yes, many(most) of us on the forum have deiodinase impairments (me too) and why the addition of T3 is essential. However, the individual ratio of T4/T3 becomes even more important as these impairments not only allow less conversion of T3 but less wiggle room if levels are little too high or a little too low.
eg the amount of T3 we medicate must allow for the conversion not matter how small you think it may be. And remember an impairment is only an indication of poor function (not a guarantee) because other genes will be helping and compensating for that impairments loss.
Many on T4/T3 combo requires T4 levels higher than your in relation to T3 to achieve well being. Therefore, if this were me I would stick by what I originally suggested.
Sometimes ferritin is high when B12 is too low. You should double check that since you are not taking iron supplements.
Jumping in here as I'm also high-ish on all the iron studies without supplementing and have low b12 - could you say a bit more about how it works?I've been putting my iron results down to menstruation having finished about 10 months ago.
😊
Your body needs both B12 and iron to make blood cells (and for other things as well). If there isn't enough B12, fewer blood cells get made, and so the ferritin may look high because your body can't use it. This may not necessarily show in your bloodwork, meaning you may not show as having anemia. I think it is relatively common that ferritin levels drop after supplementing with B12.
My serum B12 has just come back very high!
B 12. 2952. (145-589)
I supplement B complex ( transdermal for children as I struggle to tolerate supplements)
Hi this happened to me when I got a full hysterectomy and stopped bleeding, mine went to 870. I found out am a carrier of haemochromatosis but load iron I had to get blood taken by the half pint 3 times weekly to get this down to 50 took about 6 weeks I had to do this via private health care as it was around Covid I now donate blood 3 times yearly
you should discuss your TSH with your doc. It is v low.
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Transferrin saturation iron results query please?
