Further Blood tests: Hi, I posted previously... - Thyroid UK

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Further Blood tests

KRex profile image
KRex
5 Replies

Hi,

I posted previously with blood results and my symptoms which are:

-painful neck and shoulder muscle

- feel so exhausted I could cry

- constant sore throats

- numbness in my hands and forearms

- really heavy and prolonged periods

- weight gain no matter how well I eat and a nice puffy face!

- headache

- dry itchy skin and eye

- cold all the time

- generally feel I am about 90 years old when I’m actually 37!

I had some bloods 6 weeks ago

TSH - 4.5 (0.2-4)

T4 - 13 (10-20)

This prompted my GP to do further bloods this week:

B12 - 218ng/l (211-911)

IgA - normal

Ferritin - 48ug/l (10-322)

TPCa - <28 iu/ml (<100)

Folate - 4.4ug/l (5.4-24)

I will need to speak to my GP again but it’s likely a 2 week wait. Any thoughts? I am guessing he may see my low folate, but I am likely to be fobbed off with everything else in range!

I like some other peoples experiences as it really helps when I speak to my GP!!

Thank you!

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KRex
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Are you vegetarian or vegan

Both B12 and folate are far too low

Folate deficient

B12 virtually deficient and likely to benefit from B12 injections

Request testing for pernicious anaemia before starting any replacement B vitamins

Would imagine you have some Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

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

if GP doesn’t prescribe B12 injections

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 folic acid prescription vis GP …….or start vitamin B Complex 

Highly effective 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

Once you finish GP prescription for folic acid

Look at starting 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

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

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

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

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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...

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

Post discussing start B12 injections

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

No vitamin D test result

NHS private test

vitamindtest.org.uk

Thyroid antibodies

TPCa - <28 iu/ml (<100)

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies

Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)

You will need to test privately as NHS won’t currently test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

KRex profile image
KRex in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you so so much again for your reply 😊 It’s really helpful.

I’m not a vegetarian and actually have an ok diet usually. Recently I have very very little appetite though but maybe only last few weeks.

I think the GP did request Vit D so not sure why no result. I was hoping to avoid private tests but I think I just need to do it!

The GP can’t see me til end Feb, but the receptionist muttered something about starting me on folic acid - so I do feel anxious they aren’t going to address bigger picture of what’s going on. I really want to know why I am feeling how I do and what might help but I really am awful at challenging GPs despite being a nurse myself!!

I will try and ask for a test for pernicious anaemia.

Do you think for know I should focus on my vitamins rather than fight about my tsh and t4? I feel the thyroid issue is going to be a huge battle as my tsh isn’t over 10.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to KRex

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH

Low thyroid levels results in low vitamin levels

It’s a vicious circle

So when TSH under 5 and struggling to get diagnosed first step if often to improve low vitamin levels

With such low B12 you should not start folic acid or vitamin B complex until been on B12 supplements a week or 48 hours after B12 injection

Work on increasing iron rich foods in your diet too

Test twice yearly when supplementing vitamin D

via NHS private testing service

vitamindtest.org.uk

ALWAYS test thyroid early morning to get highest TSH

Starting levothyroxine - flow chart

You need 2 separate tests with TSH over 5 …….

gps.northcentrallondonccg.n...

KRex profile image
KRex in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you.

I will get the full thyroid bloods and vit D done privately.

I’m not able to speak to me GP til end Feb as they are so busy but I will ask to be tested for pernicious anaemia and if I can have B12 injections. I did read that if you have any of the neurological symptoms you should get further investigations as to what’s causing it so 🤞🏻

Thank you for your help - I really appreciate it as I have felt really down about feeling so awful and not being the best mum due to it all. I’m really desperate to feel better!

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