I was fairly confident that I had thyroid issues as appear to have so many of the symptoms (ongoing for many years but significantly declining in the last year). However my GP is saying my thyroid is normal. They are prescribing iron tablets for the low ferritin. Would anyone be able to interpret these results and advise whether I should rule out thyroid as the issue?
TSH: 1.23 [0.35-5]
FreeT4 11.7 [9-21]
Thyroid antibodies: <3 [<6]
Ferritin: 17 [15-200]
Folate: 4.6 [3.1-20]
B12: 87 [>25]
welcome to the forum
Ferritin level is deficient as it’s below 30
Request GP do FULL iron panel for anaemia
Being anaemic will cause fatigue
l. They are prescribing iron tablets for the low ferritin.
how much and what exactly
It takes long time to improve low iron ferritin
GP should retest every 3-4 months
cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...
Serum ferritin level is the biochemical test, which 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
Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing.
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 3-5 days before testing
Are you in U.K.?
Medichecks iron panel test
medichecks.com/products/iro...
monitormyhealth.org.uk/anae...
10% off code here
thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...
Look at increasing iron rich foods in diet
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
List of iron rich foods
Links about iron and ferritin
irondisorders.org/too-littl...
davidg170.sg-host.com/wp-co...
Great in-depth article on low ferritin
oatext.com/iron-deficiency-...
Typically GP will stop prescribing iron as soon as ferritin gets over 30 ……but optimal ferritin is at least over 70
Folate: 4.6 [3.1-20]
B12: 87 [>25]
Odd range on B12
Are you in U.K.
is this an NHS test or private
Folate is low
No vitamin D result
That’s what they read out over the phone but they are printing me a copy. I am in the UK that’s an NHS test.
NHS test ……serum B12 typical range is 200-700
Looking for serum B12 at least over 500
See what printed results show
Do NOT start any folate supplements before correcting possible low B12
Any obvious reason for low iron/ferritin
Eg Heavy periods……Or vegetarian or vegan?
No, not really.
Would anyone be able to interpret these results and advise whether I should rule out thyroid as the issue?
Currently Ft4 is low. This may improve when vitamin levels are good
Work on improving iron and ferritin
Improve low folate and get vitamin D tested and improved if necessary
Then retest thyroid including TG thyroid antibodies in 3-6 months
NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £31 via
How much vitamin D are you currently taking
I am taking adcal D which is 10 micrograms vit d, prescribed as I am (well controlled) coeliac. It’s been low in the past but I don’t have the results. I believe they only test it once per year.
Test vitamin D at least annually
Please add that you’re coeliac on your profile
I will give my opinion. Iron supplements are not a good idea. It's better if you can eat food that will provide you this like liver once a week.
What other foods would you recommend people who don't eat meat, i eat fish but what food item is best for raising iron naturally?
Some seafood like prawns, squid have good minerals balance like copper. In terms of vegetables well cooked kale can be good as well.
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