I recently had a blood test as my HRT meds haven't been addressing most of the symptoms I first presented with. To be honest I suspect perimenopause was the easy go to because of my age.
The results showed a TPO antibody level of 1137 but my thyroid hormones are within normal range so I have been advised to speak to thyroid specialist. I am frantically trying to learn all I can before my appointment on Wednesday but wondered if anyone can advise of things I really should ask? I want to make the most of the appointment.
My symptoms very much follow those expected with hypothyroidism, brain fog, extreme fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, joint pain, constipation etc.
any advice is very much appreciated
Thanks
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ChilliBangBang
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Blood test was done at 9am only had water before the test as I get morning sickness so cant stand anything in the morning (not pregnant, just have had morning sickness for 17 years!)
Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption
This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.
Thank you for your incredible patience while you have been awaiting the outcome of our ferritin reference range review. We conducted this with Inuvi lab, which has now changed the reference ranges to the following:
Females 18 ≤ age < 40. 30 to 180
Females 40 ≤ age < 50. 30 to 207
Females 50 ≤ age < 60. 30 to 264l
Females Age ≥ 60. 30 to 332
Males 18 ≤ age < 40 30 to 442
Males Age ≥ 40 30 to 518
The lower limits of 30 are by the NICE threshold of <30 for iron deficiency. Our review of Medichecks data has determined the upper limits. This retrospective study used a large dataset of blood test results from 25,425 healthy participants aged 18 to 97 over seven
Thank you so much for all of this and I will work my way through those links
Im not a vegetarian although I have never been a big meat eater, I suspect this may have to change to get my health where it needs to be. I have struggled with low iron and ferritin levels since my mid teens so over 35 years and have had many supplements prescribed which have made no difference other than discomfort and worsened constipation. Each time I have been told that there is little more they can do. I think its time I started pushing for why these numbers dont increase.
As yet my GP hasn't seen these results as they were obtained for a private HRT consultation. I will hopefully see my GP soon but not holding my breath at getting a quick appointment.
Ferritin - 12.2 (10 - 291)
Vitamin D - 65.6 no range given, just said sufficient if over 50
Serum Folate - 5.2 (3 - 17)
B12 - 171 (25.1 - 165) it says Active B12 not serum
T3 - 4.8 (2.6 - 7.1)
T4 - 11.9 (10.4-19.4
TSH - 3.58 (0.55 - 4.78)
Again, I am truly grateful for your assistance. I think you have given more help than the NHS in 35 years!
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 can be difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
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)
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
In response to your question about preparation for your Endo consultation what I did was to prepare a written history to hand over together with a table of blood test results. This was apparently much appreciated and also meant that I didn’t forget anything!
I had to go to a few doctors over a year because my blood tests were in the “normal” range. I put on so much weight in that year it was ridiculous. They just kept handing me diet sheets. The last test I asked my doctor to do (and he was quite reluctant) , was another standard Thyroid test. He called me at home. I barely had any Thyroid function. My point being, stand your ground. I had all your symptoms .
Thank you. I am finally starting to! I can forcibly advocate for any member of my family but have never done so for myself. I am determined to get things sorted now.
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