Blood tests

[diagnosed2013]

Hi, new on here & just wandered what blood tests my doctor should do? Can I request them...I've had a fbc done, but that didn't include folate, ferritin, iron or vitamin D. These are the results below....is it possible can anyone see from these if I should be taking any supplements? My vitamin B12 level on that test on the 21st August was 385, but my diet isn't great & mainly veggie & don't think I get enough iron either & maybe should supplement...should I ask for iron etc to be tested? Thanks in advance for any help 🙏

[diagnosed2013]

The serum prolactin level looks low...can this affect our overall health/thyroid etc? Thanks in advance for any help as docs don't seem to look at any of this....

Just adding last part...magnesium level, b12 & serum prolactin level....tested June.

[Wua13262348 in reply to diagnosed2013]

When hypothyroid prolactin is usually over range. Mine was over range, but is 17.75% through the range now that I have been taking thyroid T4 and T3.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at your profile

You need TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 tested….plus vitamin D, folate and ferritin

Ideally test before starting on vitamin B complex

B12 is low

With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement

A week later add a separate vitamin B Complex 

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

Highly effective B12 drops

natureprovides.com/products...

Or

B12 sublingual lozenges

uk.iherb.com/pr/jarrow-form...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

In-depth article on different forms of B12

perniciousanemia.org/b12/fo...

B12 range in U.K. is too wide

Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

perniciousanemia.org/b12/le...

And why aiming to keep B12 over 500 recommended

perniciousanemia.org/b12/le...

Low folate

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

Difference between folate and folic acid

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid supplements

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Igennus B complex popular option. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose and may need separate methyl folate couple times a week

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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

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...

[diagnosed2013 in reply to SlowDragon]

Many thanks Slowdragon for your reply & all the info 🙏 ...will have a read of the articles & I've just ordered the b12 sublingual one you recommended as it looks like less in it for ne to be allergic to. As some others have mentioned allergies seem to be getting worse as I get older 😕 Will try & get other tests done too...I've just had a monitor my health thyroid one done with the tpo & t3/t4 also so waiting for those results to come back...will post them on here once I get them back.

Thanks again for all your help , everyone on here is so supportive 🙏

[diagnosed2013 in reply to diagnosed2013]

Sorry to post & ask again...but which iron/ferritin test would you recommend please? I'm thinking of getting a home test as sick of getting no where with the doctors....thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to diagnosed2013]

Never start iron supplements without getting full testing

retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing iron

It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron

Test early morning, only water to drink between waking and test. Avoid high iron rich dinner night before test

If taking any iron supplements stop 5-7 days before testing

Medichecks iron panel test

medichecks.com/products/iro...

[diagnosed2013 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I've ordered an iron panel test from monitor my health....silly I didn't realise that for the same price you can get the test that has the vitamin tests in too....will have to do that one separately for the other vitamins. Thanks for all your help 🙏

[diagnosed2013]

Just checked & the vitamin B12 was actually done back in June so might be less now, so definitely going to start taking B12 supplements....thanks again for all your help