Hi, new here. I recently had full blood tests done due to a range of symptoms including tiredness, lethargy, brain fog, aches and pains. I've now had the results back and an concerned about some of them that the doctor has dismissed as normal. The results I've had are:
Vit D 39 nmol/L (normal range 51 to 374)
Serum ferritin 21gl (normal range 11 to 307)
Serum free T4 level 8.3 pmol/l (7.7 to 15.1)
Vit B12 162ng/l (161 to 600)
The doctor has told me to just take Vitamin D supplements. I'm concerned my iron and b12 are at the low end of the normal range. And my T4 seems borderline to me. Should I be requesting further thyroid tests and will they do them?
Written by
Loulabelle78
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I would look to improve key vitamins as a first step. Do ask for a full iron panel in the first instance from your GP, to understand why ferritin is low in the range. Please don’t supplement ferritin without having this (as you can have low ferritin but high iron stores). You can help improve ferritin by eating more iron rich foods (see dailyiron.net for further information).
I would take a good B Complex to improve B12 (Eg Thorne Basic B or Ingennus) which keeps all B vitamins in check, and Vit D2/ K3 to improve vit D.
Clinical Knowledge Summary > Anaemia - iron deficiency
Last revised in September 2023
Serum ferritin level is the biochemical test that most reliably correlates with relative total body iron stores. In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency.
This is a summary of what I have read up and found out about iron supplements over the past few years. I am not in any way medically trained. You are strongly encouraged to check every detail before making any decisions for yourself.
I will have to do a new econsult and see who I get! I've recently changed doctors as my previous surgery was so poor so I don't know it too well at the moment
it is usual for TSH to be tested. If your GP is willing, also ask for FT3 to be tested, so you have a complete picture of your thyroid health. Meanwhile, work on improving key thyroid vitamins. Take vit D with fattiest meal of the day, as it is fat soluble- however, many (myself included) prefer a Vit D spray that you can use at any time, as its sublingual
T4 only 8% through range so T3 likely at rock bottom also which is the cause of your fatigue, brain fog and aches and pains.Shocking that GP hasn't flagged low B12.Bottom of range is 161 and your at 162 so it's inside range and must be ok.Clueless.
You don't say if these are your only thyroid blood tests you have had done in your life-time or not. If you were suspected of having Central Hypothyroidism, the NHS would see FT4 as the most important thyroid result, but would still usually do a TSH. They would not do FT3. In Central Hypothyroidism an under-range FT4 would alert them to possible Central Hypothyroidism. Your FT4 ,as Soviet Song points out, is only 8.11% through the range . It looks like a very unusual range for the UK.
Have you had previous FT4 tests which have been under range?
As has been pointed out already, your vit D, vit B12 and ferritin are awful and you have every right to feel dreadful. Your folate will probably also be dire, and you need it tested.
Universally, all G.P. s think as long as inside a vitamin range, even by 1, it is a sign to them that this is fine. Under range , they commonly dismiss as border-line. It is the cause of much debilitating ill-health . You desperately need to follow the advice already offered , which Slow Dragon might also comment on.
Ask your G.P. reception for a copy of any previous thyroid test results you have had done in the past in your life-time. Previous VitD, VITB12, ferritin and folate results, you should also request a copy of to see when your levels got so bad.Some members can access via an app.
Your G.P. is hopeless and is not worthy of your time. He cannot help you as your results are dire. He does not recognise this. This is , unfortunately , typical.
I think higher than this would be better. Don't supplement any folate until VitB 12 is at a decent level, as this would be dangerous. GreyGoose advised you to go on the Pernicious Anaemia forum for good reason. I think you should be checked for Pernicious Anaemia before supplementing Vit B12 or B vitamins, of which folate is one. The trouble is that your G.P. sees your B12 as normal, even though only into the bottom of the range by 1. He will likely refuse to test. If your B12 being so low is actually from Pernicious Anaemia, this is treated by regular B12 injections. G.P.s are dreadful where anything B12 is concerned.
Hence, GreyGoose's suggestion to read on the Pernicious Anaemia forum.
Folate and B12 work together, and need the other B vitamins to work properly. Have a look at previous posts from other members where Slow Dragon often goes into great detail re. vitamins when she answers their posts.
You have every right to feel horrendous with the results you have, despite what your G.P. says.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Still undiagnosed thyroid issues!
Do I have a thyroid issue?
Is thyroid my main issue?
Full panel Thyroid results. Mental health issues and thyroid?
Thyroid issues
