Hi I’ve recently joined and wanted some guidance on blood tests that my doctors are saying need no action. I went struggling with neck pain and neurological symptoms and they ordered full bloods. In the last two years I’ve gained a huge amount of weight, my face is puffy, and I’ve struggled with running due to joint pain, constantly exhausted and dry skin, thinning hair and weak nails (amongst other symptoms)
key blood results are as follows:
Thyroid function test
Serum TSH level 4.61 mU/L [0.3 - 5.0]
Serum free T4 level 7.2 pmol/L [7.9 - 16.0]; Below low reference limit (no further action needed)
Serum vitamin B12 level 121 ng/L [120.0 - 900.0]; B12 low normal/borderline (No further action needed)
Serum total 25-hydroxy vitamin D level 47 nmol/L [75.0 - 250.0]; Between 25 and 50 nmol/L: Vitamin D insufficiency (Told to take supplements)
Also got a text message to lower my cholesterol
Do the thyroid results in particular need no action given T4 is below normal range? My sister also has an under active thyroid and is a nurse and she has told me to query these (I do have private insurance too). Would appreciate any advice thanks
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Bubblesgirl78
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If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.
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.
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
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
The need for B12 injections varies, sometimes it can be due to low dietary B12, or an issue with absorbing enough from diet, however they should have explored the reason why your B12 was low enough to warrant injections. Which aren't easy to get on NHS incidentally.
And if you have Pernicious Anemia, an autoimmune condition where the body doesnt produce the intrinsic factor necessary to absorb B12 from either diet or tablets, then you need regular injections for life.
Just giving a few injections and then saying job done is neglectful to say the least. You could very easily have PA and no amount of tablets will help with that. PA and hypothyroid often go together. Especially if hypothyroid is due to autoimmune issues, autoimmune conditions often hunt in packs.
thank you your advice has been great. My insurance said they’d cover the referral if I can get a letter from my gp so have an appointment tomorrow to persuade them, fingers crossed
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