So I did have another thread but I was recommended to put a should out to anyone who knows more about Iron and low ferritin. I've had this since the covid booster which cause havor with my period and since then seen struggling with low Ferritin. I did read this can have a massive impact of throwing thyroid bloods off . I've only just found out I have hashimoto's but am confused by the low Ferritin as this started everything off.
Serum B12 440 range 180-900.
VIT D 115
Full iron Panel
Ferritin 13
Serum iron level 17 10-30
Serum transferrin 3 2-4
Transferrin saturation index 22.6 20.0-50.0
I have also attached my throid results since August last year.
June 2024 Tsh 3.9 (0.55-4.78)
t4 11.2 (11.50-22.70)
T3 4.4 (3.50- 6.50)
March 2024 Tsh 2.46 (0.55-4.78)
T4 11.6 (11.50-22.70)
Jan 2024 TSH 3.81 (0.55-4.78)
T4 10.5 (11.50- 22.70)
Dec only had TSH 2.87
October 2023 only TSH 2.66
August TSH 2.79
T4 11.1 SAME RANGE AS ABOVE
CORTISOL 500NMOL <450 RANGE
I had 2 anti body's tests TPO
1st results 28.5 private bloods
2nd result 1 week later 1260 NHS
Thanks so much
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Tinkerbell_84
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Not a direct answer but a link to some potentially helpful information.
helvella - Iron Document
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.
Please note that getting B12 levels up high isn't a problem. But other nutrients shouldn't be taken above range - optimal levels for nutrients aren't all the same.
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VIT D 115 - This is a good level. If you had to supplement vitamin D to get it to it's current level, you will probably have to supplement at a lower dose to maintain your current level.
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Ferritin 13 - This is deficient. It would be helpful if you had a reference range. But without one, a commonly quoted optimal level for ferritin (iron stores) is 90 - 110 ng/mL.
Normal ferritin levels for women are between 20 and 200 ng/mL. According to some experts, ferritin levels of at least 40 ng/ml are required to stop hair loss, while levels of at least 70 ng/ml are needed for hair regrowth. The optimal ferritin level for thyroid function is between 90-110 ng/ml.
Iron supplements of the type doctors prescribe (iron salts) can be bought without prescription in UK pharmacies with a pharmacist's permission. If they refuse to sell you any iron tablets just go to another pharmacy. Doses and other info can be found in the following links :
Your result is too low at 35% through the range suggesting that you need to take more iron to raise your serum iron.
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TIBC (total iron binding capacity) or Transferrin - 50% through the range
• Low in range indicates lack of capacity for additional iron
• High in range indicates body's need for supplemental iron
I think at mid-range your transferrin is fine. Please be aware that contradictory results in an iron panel are common.
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Transferrin saturation index 22.6 20.0-50.0
Saturation
• optimal is 35 to 45%
• higher end for men
Your saturation at 22.6% is too low suggesting that you need more iron.
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Once you start taking supplemental iron in any form it is important to re-test and do another iron panel after a couple of months. Depending on the speed at which your levels rise you might be able to reduce the frequency of testing. Iron is poisonous in overdose so regular testing while supplementing is essential.
Thanks so much for taking the time out to mesaage me 🥰
Yes so I followed the advice on this group and I have been taking the better for you b12 spray now for 8 weeks and also been taking a complete B complex tablet. Due to have blood test in a few weeks to see how this has changed. I was worried I may OD on the b12 so thanks so much for putting my mind at rest.
So my Vit D yes I have been supplementing for a year but the last 5 months started taking a higher dose to get to these numbers. I had stopped but when I spoke to thyroid specilist she said no start taking it again as it will go down I need to keep it there. I was taking 4000iug she said to keep it at that level take 2000iug in summer and 4000iug in winter. I Al blue eyes and pale so wear fake tan. Very sit in the sun with my pale complexion 🤣🤣.
So sorry so ferritin was 13 range was 15-300.
When I first had my really bad dizzy balance issue in 2022 my ferritin was actually 8 range 15-300.
So after I had covid booster this really effected my period. I was always 3 days 1st day light 2nd normal 3rd day light 4 day finished. After my booster I am extremely heavy and on for 5 day and at least 3/4days heavy.
Is it at all possible that all my symptoms I have are low Ferritin related? As I did read if ypu have low Ferritin this really can rek havoc with ypur thyroid numbers.
I've been taking iron supplements feom the Dr 210g 1 daily with vitamin c. I've also upped my read meat to twice a week. I have a female protein shake which contains Iron ans many vitamins key for women. It's called free soul and it dairy gluten basically everything free. And I have this with lactose free milk.
I didn't realise I could also but this from pharmacist as I also did read it needed to be at 90-100 for thyroid issues. And then to keep maintaining.
I know many people have said ypu need thyroid hormone but can the ferritin be causing me more issues.
I did read your profile and did see you had many issues with medications. I also really struggle with medications and side effects. And want to get everything up to optimal. Is there a way life style changes can help before having to take medications. As I am still confised as I don't seem to get the attacks looking at my results but always have symptoms this is why I ask coukd all my symptoms be Ferritin related.
Sorry you’re suffering from low ferritin. I don’t know the ins/ outs of what causes what, but do know I feel very unwell when it’s not a well over 50 & can understand how you must be feeling,
It’s so frustrating it seems to be deemed as so unimportant by so many Drs. I’ve learnt from the good folk on here to keep an eye, and keep it between 80-100. It’s been down to 11 over years at Drs, yet they barely battle an eyelid. I was diagnosed with ME nearly 25 yrs ago & after recently getting old notes from Drs, can see it was under 12 then. Grrrr! I was given antibiotic after antibiotic, counted 20 courses in a 2 yr period, for repeated infections, when it could’ve been something fairly simple to treat, raising iron, Also found b12, the same level then as what it was more recently when I paid and got a functional b12 deficiency diagnosis, so have definitely learnt to get printouts/App & check everything myself!
I find periods are far worse when ferritin is lower, odd in my simple way of looking at things, I’d tend to think if I’ve less iron, perhaps there would be less to lose, clearly not! Plus I don’t have the energy to do as much walking etc, which then makes periods worse. My heart pounds more & feel more faint during those times too, do you? Others will know if hashimotos can affect periods?
It’s hard to find patterns as there’s only so much testing you can do, isn’t there! My thyroid results vary, I’m now trying to ensure enough b12, get ferritin back up, then see if thyroid improves in the process. It seems to be the only way of trying to work it all out. It was excellent advice as above which has & continues to help me, certainly can’t rely on my Drs for it! If you follow that and keep a check on it, really hope you soon see and feel a difference! Take care…
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clearly not! Plus I don’t have the energy to do as much walking etc, which then makes periods worse. My heart pounds more & feel more faint during those times too, do you? Others will know if hashimotos can affect periods?
Please help me
getting it off my chest..another Dr.who says my high HR is too much levothyroxine! 
Hashi's swings? 
T3 fallen
