Help understanding blood results please...B12, Folate, Ferritin etc.

[emma_marie]

I have just had my blood results back and have been told that I need to have a Parathyroid Hormone test and then begin taking Colecalciferol. I am currently on 100mcg Levo and am experiencing lots of symproms such as fatigue, extreme dry skin, mental 'fog' and irregular menstrual cycle.

My GP does not seem concerned about anything except the VitD but I'm not convinced...do these blood results suggest anything to you?

B12: 315 ng/L (187.0 - 883.0)

Folate: 5.7 ug/L (1.8 - 18.3)

Ferritin: 20.1 ug/L (10.0 - 204.0)

Vitamin D: 36 nmol/L (>75 nmol/L)

Calcium: 2.38 mmol/L

T3: 4.66 pmol/L (3.6 - 6.5)

T4: 18.1 pmol/L (9,0 - 19.1)

TSH: 0.29 mU/L (0.35 - 4.94)

[PinkNinja]

Although your B12 is within the normal range you would possibly benefit from a supplement of at least 1000mcg daily in the form of methylcobalamin which is easier for the body to absorb and use. I like the Jarrow lozenges as they dissolve in your mouth and taste quite nice. I'm currently taking the 5000mcg ones but the do a 1000mcg lozenge too. It seems that a B12 level above 500 is ideal.

Your folate is also on the low side and you may benefit from taking some of this, but not too much. Perhaps taking a good quality B complex might be the best idea for getting your folic acid. I take one of these that contains all the B vitamins.

Your ferritin, whilst in range, is rather low. Many people find they need their ferritin to be at least 70, and preferably above 90, to feel well. You would possibly benefit from an iron supplement along side some vitamin C. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is important for absorption and storage of iron and would most likely be contained in a vitamin B complex tablet.

Yes, your vitamin D is low. Have you been prescribed supplements?

I'm afraid I don't know about the calcium as there is no reference range.

Your thyroid results look pretty good but of course they only tell you what's in your blood and not what your cells are actually using. You may well find that as you get all the above sorted out that you start to feel much better. Deficiencies in the above all have symptoms similar to hypothyroidism but are also believed to be important in order for your cells to use the thyroid hormones.

Have a look at the main Thyroid UK website for more details of the role of vitamins and minerals. Thyroid UK is the charity that runs this forum. thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

I hope that helps

Carolyn x

[emma_marie in reply to PinkNinja]

Gosh thank you for all of the advice Carolyn. It's really really helpful. Unfortunately the calcium didn't have any reference ranges on my paperwork.

So from what you have said I should be taking B12, B complex, Ferratin, Iron and VitC? Seems a lot!

Thank you again. Emma x

[PinkNinja in reply to emma_marie]

Yep. Ferritin will go up with taking iron, vitamin C and B complex. People with thyroid disorders are often deficient in these as many have absorption problems. Sometimes these absorption problems are temporary and are rectified once you are well again

[helvella Administrator]

If/when you have the blood drawn for the parathyroid test, be aware that they probably need to rush it straight into the lab - don't assume the person doing the draw is aware! (I did, and my sample was spoiled. Huh!)

And ideally you would have calcium at the same time.

[emma_marie in reply to helvella]

Oh dear, I've just been and had this done before seeing your post. I hope I'm lucky and they knew!

Emma x

[helvella Administrator in reply to emma_marie]

Fingers crossed.