Advice please on blood results especially possible iron issues.

[Eton]

I would be very grateful for any advice on my recent blood results please. I am concerned that for first time ever MCH and MCHC are just over range. My serum B 12 has historically been at top of range without supplementing. This has now dropped lower although still high in range. Never feel well although I have hypothyroidism which is poorly regulated despite my best efforts. Awaiting endo review which was due in June.

Wondering about possible b12 deficiency and iron issues. I know iron is complicated and I can’t really understand the results.

Vitamin D -95.6 (50-125 nmol/L)

Plasma B 12 -685 (197-771)

Plasma folate -7.4 (3.0-26.80)

serum transferrin 2.46 (2-3.60)

Plasma ferritin 76 (13-300)

Plasma iron-16 (10-30)

Transferrin saturation 26% (20-55)

Haemocrit estimation-131 (120-150)

Haemocrit 0.377 -0.36-0.46

Platelets 113 (150-450) These have been low for many years.

Red blood count 4.08 (3.80-4.80)

MCV-92.4 (83-101)

MCH 32.1 (27-32) This has never been over range before

MCHC 347 (315-345) This has never been over range before.

White blood count 3.1 (4.0-10) This has been low for years.

I have hypothyroidism but as well as the usual hypo symptoms I have recently developed a red burning tongue. Seems to get worse as the day goes on.

I had an active b12 test a few months ago from Medichecks. 63.1. Can’t remember range but this was within normal range but low. Think range was 37.5-150.

Tsh 0.02 (0.27-4.20)

T4 18.8 (12-22)

T3 2.9 (3.10-6.80)

Awaiting endo appointment….again. Have tried t3 previously but without success. Never felt much better….always cold, constipated, tired, very low bp and pulse.

Thank you for any help.

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

I'll start the ball rolling as you seem to have slipped through the net...

Your folate levels are low so likely you would benefit from a good B complex and yes your iron is on the low end

But the big standout is your horribly low T3 which is going to make everything else struggle, hopefully your Endo will pay attention! Have they tested your cortisol levels? I expect your adrenals are exhausted

Burning tongue is linked into low B vits, autoimmune and most common in post meno women so sex hormones obviously come into it too

[Eton in reply to TiggerMe]

Thank you Tigger. I have just started on B complex after I got these results so hopefully that will help a little. I also still have some 3'arrows iron left as I had used it before when my iron was low. I will recommence with it a few times a week.As for my endo....I don't hold out much hope. He is NHS and has already told me he doesn't prescribe T3.

My morning cortisol has been tested and has always been ok although a saliva cortisol tear I did myself a few years ago showed below range throughout the day.

Believe it or not....my GP said all was normal witybmy blood except WBC and platelets which I have to repeat in 3 months!!

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Eton]

Have you looked at the Endo list to see if there is a better NHS one in your area or at least get a second opinion?

With results like these how can they not treat you with T3?? How does he justify his poor treatment!

Free T4 (fT4) 18.8 pmol/L (12 - 22) 68.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 2.9 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) -5.4%

GP's aren't the best for your health 🙄

Have you looked into supporting your adrenals? Vit C and salt essential for them an adrenal cortex could be worth a try as improving your cortisol will help with thyroid hormone uptake

[Eton in reply to TiggerMe]

Hi Tigger, I think I don't think I get to choose an endo when my treatment is NHS .Unfortunately I can't take vitamin c as I have gastritis and it really upsets my stomach, even the buffered variety. I do however take salt in an attempt to raise my blood pressure!

Thank you for taking time to reply.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Eton]

Yes, you are able to name the NHS Endo that you would like to see as long as they are in your area and you certainly have good reason to change

[Eton in reply to TiggerMe]

Thanks Tigger. I'm in Northern Ireland. So how would I go about changing? Would I go through GP?

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Eton]

Ah, I don't know if it's the same for you but here you get your GP to do the referral to named Endo, guessing that is how you got this chump?

[Eton]

GP just did a referral for endocrinology as she didn’t know what to make of my results which had below range t4 and t3 but low tsh also. So I had to take who I was given unfortunately!

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Eton]

If you request the list from thyroiduk.org/contact-us/ge...

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