my granddaughter 19 a first year student in mental health nursing, normally full of life but recently had bloods done with gp due to feeling, her words run down, constantly tired, cold hands and feet, pins and needles etc generally feeling rotten!! I would really appreciate if you could please look at them and give the advice I no I can only get from here, lost faith in the system I’ve been let so badly over the years and it continues but I can’t let it happen to her, I’m sure you’ll understand exactly where I’m coming from, B12. 227ng/l { 11.0-307.0 }. Folate 3.1 {3.1-19.9 } Tsh 2.98. {0.38-5.35}. Ferritin 12ug/l {11.0-307}. Cholesterol 5.1mmol/L. all marked as normal!! But clearly far from normal!! These were done on 5th march 25, Any advice would be greatly appreciated
help with granddaughters blood results please - Thyroid UK
help with granddaughters blood results please
B12. 227ng/l { 11.0-307.0 }.
Folate 3.1 {3.1-19.9 }
Tsh 2.98. {0.38-5.35}.
Ferritin 12ug/l {11.0-307}.
Cholesterol 5.1mmol/L. all marked as normal
I think you've given the wrong reference range for the B12. I've never seen a range for B12 that starts at 11 and stops at 307. If the actual result (227 ng/L) is correct then your granddaughter (GD) desperately needs more B12. She might even need injections to get her level off the ground. With a result that low she will be suffering symptoms. Pins and needles is a classic symptom of B12 deficiency. GD probably needs testing for Pernicious Anaemia. That isn't something I know much about but I suspect testing might be refused in anyone with a level over 200. If your GD is forced to supplement with tablets then the best option for many people is methylcobalamin, which is available online without prescription.
See this symptoms list :
b12deficiency.info/signs-an...
And some other useful info on B12 :
perniciousanemia.org/b12/fo...
perniciousanemia.org/b12/le...
perniciousanemia.org/b12/le...
perniciousanemia.org/b12/to...
For more info on Pernicious Anaemia join this HealthUnlocked forum :
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Folate is extremely low. Ideally GD's level should be near the top of the range. Personal anecdote - I try to get mine up to about 20, and I supplement with methylfolate which is available without prescription on the internet.
Don't supplement folate until your GD has had a B12 injection or at least a couple of weeks worth of supplements.
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GD's ferritin (iron stores) is dreadfully low. It is possible to get ferritin raised quickly with iron injections, but NHS doctors refuse to do that until the patient is nearly dead (in my opinion) with haemoglobin under 100. So unless the patient pays to get private infusions the treatment is iron tablets. Note that liquid iron preparations are available, but they taste vile and stain the teeth black. The iron tablets that doctors usually prescribe are ferrous sulfate (the cheapest). Very few people tolerate them, but there are other options.
Prescribed iron supplements (iron salts), available without prescription from UK pharmacies, so your GD is not completely at the mercy of doctors saving pennies :
*** Avoid bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/ferro...
bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/ferro...
bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/ferro...
bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-s...
Having said all that, I would avoid iron salts like the ones I linked above (at least to start with) and buy heme/haem supplements instead - they are usually far better tolerated than iron salts. They can only be bought online, they aren't available on prescription. The most popular ones on the forum are by Three Arrows :
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
How to calculate dose with Three Arrows :
threearrowsnutra.com/en-uk/...
Tolerance of iron supplements can be improved by taking them with a meal - but this will reduce absorption so only do this if absolutely necessary.
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It is a good idea to get an iron panel done before taking iron supplements of any kind. A doctor might do one if asked, but if they won't :
medichecks.com/products/iro...
Discount code for Medichecks :
thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...
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The body needs nutrients to make TSH. Some low levels of nutrients can reduce TSH production.
Doctors think that a TSH of 2.98 is absolutely fine and there are only problems if TSH is greater than 10, but patients would probably disagree. I think that your GD should improve her nutrient levels for 3 - 6 months before even considering thyroid problems. Regular testing of nutrients is definitely worth doing. Once they are optimised they will need to be maintained at optimal, usually by taking supplements at a lower dose than previously.
She also needs her vitamin D to be tested.
Note that cholesterol of 5.1 is not a problem. Don't let anyone tell her she needs statins. If your GD optimises her nutrients it will have an effect on all the other tests she has. So, fix the nutrients first and then re-test.
The levels that I personally consider optimal for me are :
Serum Vitamin B12 : 1000 nanograms/L
Active B12 : 150 pmol/L
Folate : 20 micrograms/L
Ferritin : 90 - 110 micrograms/L
Vitamin D : 125 nmol/L
thank you so much for your reply humanbean it’s very much appreciated, sorry yes I did make a mistake with the range on b12 results but not the reading, range should have been {180-914} sorry about that, I’ll certainly get her to get back in touch for appointment with gp to discuss further tests but don’t hold out much hope but already have some b12 drops and complex here anyway if she gets no joy, bought the ones that slow dragon often refers too, also have red arrow in too, they also done a full blood count but if I’m right that’s not the same as a full iron panel? I’ll get her to ask about that also her heamoglobin result was 144g/L. {115.0-160.0} far as I’m aware that may be her first thyriod test, and she not on any treatment, think it may have been done among other tests as routine? Or maybe they checking because of my history ? Thank you again
An iron panel, a thyroid function test, and a full blood count all test different things.
labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...
labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...
labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...
In all the above links, press the + signs for more info, apart from the first plus sign on each link which isn't for more info.
Please note that people can be iron deficient without being anaemic, and with a haemoglobin result of 144 your GD isn't anaemic. The same is true for B12 and folate deficiency - people can be deficient without being anaemic. However, once doctors find out that iron/folate/B12 are deficient but the patient isn't officially anaemic, then doctors don't consider the problem to be urgent. But, as a patient, I think deficiencies should be treated appropriately even when someone isn't anaemic because low levels have such a lot of unpleasant symptoms.
Some links that might be helpful :
cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...
cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...
Haemoglobin levels which define anaemia :
From a full blood count the test results I pay attention to myself are :
MCV - Mean Cell Volume.
Low in range or below range results are normally a sign that red blood cells (RBCs) are too small and the patient has low iron and/or low ferritin.
High in range or above range results are normally a sign that RBCs are too large and the patient has low in range B12 and/or folate.
Haemoglobin is used to determine whether or not the patient is anaemic.
just want to say a massive thank you for the time you gave to me, this site is wonderful with kind and helpful people giving their time and support to everyone who reaches out, the information you and slowdragon provided will enable me to ensure my GD will quickly be on the right path to better health, thanks again 😺
Is she vegetarian or vegan
Clearly ferritin, B12 and folate are all terrible
See GP for testing for pernicious anaemia for low B12
Full iron panel test for anaemia
Coeliac blood test too
Thyroid- just testing TSH is totally inadequate
Was this test done early morning?
Next step get BOTH TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested plus Ft4 and Ft3
And vitamin D tested too
hi slowdragon than you for reply, she's neither but probably just doesn’t eat enough red meat, and certainly wouldn’t get any liver in her but I’ll give it my best shot, her results are terrible, she’s rang doctors since coming in from placement but no joy for appointment with gp but she’ll try again tomorrow, I’ve mentioned to her to ask for the things you’ve suggested but honestly don’t hold out much hope, I’m wondering about bloods would they do that as routine or because of my history with thyriod ? She’s not diagnosed with anything thyriod . not sure timing of blood test but I’ll certainly ask and ensure all future tests are early morning, thanks again, truly appreciated
Help with results please!
Blood results in - help please!
Please could someone help with my blood results? 
Help with Blood Tests Please
Help with blood results 
