Ferritin research and 3yo's low-normal thyroid

[UpThatHill]

I am not anemic, but my ferritin level was 21 (normal ref. range 10-154). I was very sick after I began thyroid therapy, until I started taking iron, now I feel much better thanks to you! In a November 2005 post  called "Can't bring up my FT3 levels", you said there were a few studies that found ferritin levels above 70 were optimal for thyroid patients.

1) Can you please share the names of these studies and where I might find them? Are there different optimal ranges for children?

I am hypothyroid w/o hashi's antibodies or scan damage. My 3 yo daughter is small and hasn't grown in 15 months, is constipated, very dark-hair low on her forehead and all over her back, extended stomach, high cholesterol (despite chol-conscious diet) and labial adhesions. Her labs are
Total cholesterol 217
TSH 2.249  (ref .46-8.1)
FT4 1.02 (ref 1.02-1.72)
FT3 3.1 (ref 3-6)
Ferritin 17 (ref 10-291)
TIBC 354 (ref 250-450)
UIBC 274 (ref 150-375)
Iron, Serum 80 (ref 11-130)
Iron Saturation 23 (ref 15-55)
Her ped. endo. is not concerned with her thyroid or iron attributing to lack of growth.

2)What do you think? I disagree with the lack of concern over her low-normal thyroid results, especially with familial link to hypoT and her symptoms. Endo is now testing prolactin, IGF1 and IGFBP3. Am I over concerned about her thyroid?

3) What about ferritin/iron? Is ferritin low? She takes a vitamin with 15 mg of iron per day ... is that enough? Could low ferritin be the culprit?

Thank you for your reply.
Beck in N.C.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Low ferritin is unlikely to be the culprit -- I am not a pediatrician and cannot speak towards your daughter's case specifically, however the thyroid does not look to be abnormal.

Ferritin>70 is more an opinion of some -- don't have the references but try a google search particulary relating to hair loss and ferritin.

I apologize for not being more specific about your daughter, but I do not see patients her age....

[UpThatHill]

Thanks for your input. I have another question for you: After taking your advice and googling hair loss and ferritin I read a lot about anemia specifically causing hair loss. Can anemia cause the thyroid to swell and cause hypothyroid symptoms? I am a runner and have not been fully evaluated for anemia, other than a CBC and ferritin. I was DXed hypoT last year b/c I had massive hair loss, swolen thyroid, and galactorrhea. I don't have hashi's antibodies, and no scan damage: Could runner's anemia have caused all my hypoT problems? I just cannot get over how much better I felt after I started iron. If so, once I get my ferritin replenished, is it possible that I won't need thyroid meds anymore? I am on 45 mg Armour thyroid.