Ferritin

[dottyb09]

I have just had an Advanced Thyroid Test from Medichecks. My Free T4 and Free T3 may look good but I have been getting a return of my symptoms so have upped my NDT from 2.5 grains to 3. It is my ferritin which I am not happy about. Is it too low? I eat very little red meat which is probably why it is low. I have been breathless when walking for years but have had a chest x-ray, an ECG, blood tests and an Echocardiogram which have all been normal.

[humanbean]

You haven't told us the result of your ferritin test with its range.

[dottyb09 in reply to humanbean]

Brain fog!

Iron Status

Ferritin 132.00 ug/L (Range: 30 - 650)

Vitamins

Folate - Serum 37.0 nmol/L (Range: > 7)

Vitamin B12 - Active >150 pmol/L

Please note change of reference range 23 Oct 2022

(Range: 37.5 - 188)

Vitamin D 97.3 nmol/L

Total 25(OH) vitamin D < 25 nmol/L is deficient.

Total 25(OH)D of 25-50 nmol/L may be inadequate in some people.

Total 25(OH)D > 50 nmol/L is sufficient in most individuals.

Total Vitamin D level >250 nmol/L - indicates potential for toxiPlease note change of reference range 23 Oct 2022

(Range: 50 - 250)

Thyroid Hormones

TSH X <0.005 mIU/L (Range: 0.27 - 4.2)

Free T3 5.4 pmol/L (Range: 3.1 - 6.8)

Free Thyroxine 17.5 pmol/L (Range: 12 - 22)

Autoimmunity

Thyroglobulin Antibodies 17.60 kIU/L (Range: 0 - 115)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies X 37.8 kIU/L (Range: 0 - 34)

[humanbean in reply to dottyb09]

I'm assuming that the actual lab that did your test from Medichecks was Inuvi. Medichecks often use them. There has been a lot of discussion in the last few months about that ridiculous reference range for Ferritin. (30 - 650)

There was a post about this very recently and Inuvi should be changing their reference ranges very soon :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

That thread suggests that the new range for someone in their 80s should be 30 - 332.

With your result of 132 I think your result is not too bad. I wouldn't be worried about it in your shoes, although taking it up to mid-range (181) would probably be safe - but only if you wanted to.

Note that if you have high levels of inflammation (CRP or CRP-hs) this can increase your ferritin level, and fixing inflammation would make your ferritin drop, suggesting that your ferritin is less good than your result would suggest.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

please add actual results and ranges

Was test done early morning, and day before test did you split NDT as 2 or 3 doses with last dose 8-12 hours before test

What vitamin supplements are you taking

[dottyb09 in reply to SlowDragon]

Test was done at 8.30am. I have never split my NDT before a test in 20 years.

I take Igennus B Complex, CoQ10, Magnesium, Omega 3, and vitamin D.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dottyb09]

Stop vitamin B complex 5-7 days before test

[dottyb09 in reply to SlowDragon]

I stopped the B Complex a week before the test.

[Brightness14]

I also take NDT and I would suggest that your FT4 and FT3 are a little on the low side. Perhaps another 1/4 grain increase may help. I am always at my best when FT4 and TF3 are a little higher than yours.

[dottyb09 in reply to Brightness14]

Yes, they are lower than I like them to be and I was getting some symptoms return so I have added another 1/2 grain. It is odd that I have taken 3 grains and more in recent years and the last time I was on 3 grains I got regular palpitations, which is why I reduced. So far, I have had no palpitations since I increased and I am feeling the benefit after only 8 days.

[Brightness14]

Good that sounds great I am pleased for you. The only time I had palpitations was when my FT3 was much too low. My old body was just trying to keep me going, somehow.