Interpretation of blood test results please

[Bower123]

Hello all, I've just joined and am hoping that you can assist me with my results. I'm 66 years old, male, have felt tired for some years and frequently sleep in the afternoon. 2 years ago I had both wrists operated on for carpel tunnel. These are my results:

Thank you.

[HealthStarDust]

Just for clarity, it would be helpful for commenters to know if you have diagnosis for thyroid disease or if you take and treatment for it.

[Bower123 in reply to HealthStarDust]

Thanks, I have no diagnosis and take no treatment for it other than vitamins

[SlowDragon Administrator]

presumably you are supplementing vitamin D and magnesium

B12and folate levels could be better

Are you currently taking any B vitamins

Similarly ferritin is on lower side.

Do you eat red meat

Look at increasing iron rich foods in your diet

Retest again in 3-6 months after improving vitamin levels.

Perhaps try increasing exercise and fitness to see if it helps

What are your cholesterol and HBA1C results

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

methyl-life.com/blogs/defic...

With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement and a week later add a separate vitamin B Complex 

Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.

If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week

B12 drops

natureprovides.com/products...

Or

B12 sublingual lozenges

uk.iherb.com/pr/jarrow-form...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

B12 range in U.K. is too wide

Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Low folate

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)

Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

Other options

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

Igennus B complex popular option too. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Bower123 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your comprehensive reply..... I do supplement vitamin D and magnesium and occasionally eat red meat although not a great deal. I don't supplement B12, iron or folate so thanks for your suggestions. Do you think I could be hypothyroid as my results are low in range? Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Bower123]

Well ….negative antibodies, TSH below 3 ,……you would be unlikely to get diagnosed

Next steps

Improving vitamin levels

Get cholesterol, kidney function and HBA1c tested

Ultrasound scan of thyroid might be helpful

[Bower123]

Many thanks SlowDragon!

[Decant]

Others are experts with interpreting the blood results but I thought I'd say "hi" as another man (56): thyroid issues affect fewer men than women. There are other causes you might look at including your testosterone (possibly low level to look at). I'm afraid all of this is a rabbit warren and it's easy to get lost (keep notes!). Your GP is likely to be useless and palm you off as "it's normal; you're just getting older - have some anti-depressants". Been there, done that.

Regular exercise is important if you can. Even regular walking counts as good exercise. Even better if you can do it outside in the sun and fresh air!

It *might* be psychological too, I think it is for me now, accepting that I am physically aging. My son has just left home for uni leaving an "empty nest", for example. Have their been big life changes in the last few years?

I recently started testosterone treatment, though I'm really not sure it's made a difference.

I'm happy to chat if you like. Good luck and welcome!

[Bower123]

Many thanks for your reply Decant, much appreciated. There haven't been any big changes just recently, though retirement several years ago changed my life a great deal (mainly for the better!). Wishing you all the very best!