High Homocysteine, high iron, low B12

[Blue727]

I am a 28 year old male.  My Homocysteine was at 45.4, with the high "normal" level being 11.8 about 3 or 4 months ago. It was found my B12 was down to 253 so I started supplementing and getting B12 injections. With in a month my B12 was over 1,200 and the doctor said everything was fine. Last week my homocysteine level was checked again and it is now over 60.0.

I'm really confused as my iron and % of saturation is rather high.  The doctors said I don't have anemia or anything, so I'm not sure what to think.

Iron 215 H 25-156 ug/dL
IBCT 247 L 250-450 ug/dL
%SAT 87.0 H 13.0-45.0

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[Renee Radenberg]

Did your MD test your folate levels? With folate deficiency anemia the homocysteine and vitamin B12 are elevated too. Did you have other blood work done to check the rest of your body to make sure nothing was wrong there, such as kidney, thyroid? Are you taking Iron supplements along with Vitamin B12 shots? From the recommended levels, you may have Iron overload from the levels you stated. If all the other blood work (from what I mentioned above) are within normal limits, suggest stopping all supplements, wait a month and get retested again.

[Blue727]

Thanks for your reply.  I have listed 3 questions I was hoping you could answer for me and my other test results.

Can you have any type of anemia with high iron levels?  Can you please tell me a comprehensive list of symptoms come from iron overload?  Could a pituitary problem lead to or cause these types of levels?  The doctor thought it could be pituitary related or hormone related.  I have searched the internet and can only find a few sources, but they list different symptoms.  When I was initially tested, I was not taking any supplements, vitamins and I didn't have a diet of any sort.  I only took B12 injections 1 day a week for 1 month and when retested my levels were over 1,200, so the doctor had me stop the injections.  I have had my thyroid checked with these results and some other tests;

10/12/05:
TSH:   1.20                    Range:  0.40 - 5.5 MU/L

2/21/06:
Free T4:   0.91               Range: 0.59 - 1.17 ng/dL
TSH:        0.94               Range: 0.35 - 4.82 uIU/mL
T-4, Total:   6.4              Range: 4.5 - 12.0 MCG/DL
T-3 Uptake: 34.6            Range: 25.0 - 35.0% Uptake

8/15/06:
TSH:   1.11                    Range: .34 - 4.82 uIU/mL

10/12/06:
TSH:   1.20                    Range: 0.40 - 5.5 MU/L

6/21/07:
T-3, Free:    377               Range: 230 - 420 PG/DL
T3, Reverse:   0.19           Range: 0.11 - 0.32 ng/mL
Free T4:   0.73                 Range: 0.75-1.85 NG/DL
TSH: 1.39                        Range: 0.50 - 5.00 uIU/ML

Here are the saliva test results on 7/17/07;
fTSH:    57             Normal
fT4:       0.25          Normal: 0.17 - 0.42 ng/dl
fT3:       0.27          Borderline Low 0.21 - 0.27 ng/dl

TPO Positive in Saliva results

E2 (Estradiol): 9 Male (20-49 yrs, I'm 28 yrs old): 1-3 pg/ml, Male (50-85
yrs): 1-5 pg/ml

P1 (Progesterone): 30         28yr. old Male (adult): 5-95 pg/ml
TTF (Free Testosterone): 34 Male (20-30 yrs and I'm a 28 year old male):
60-110 pg/ml

Cortisol (By Saliva Testing @ CanaryClub);

Time:                      Outcome:       Normal Ranges for my age (28yr. old male):
7:00-8:00 a.m.    6  Depressed       Range:   13 - 24 nM
11:00-Noon       4    Depressed       Range:   5 - 10 nM
4:00-5:00 p.m.   3    Normal            Range:    3 - 8 nM
11:00-Midnight   5    Elevated          Range:    1 - 4 nM
Cortisol Burden:   18                       Range:     23-42

DHEA: 4            Range: Normal 3-10 ng/ml

My morning Cortisol blood test was 19.3 (Range: 4-22 MCG/DL).

Antibodies test was negative in blood.

8/7/07:
TSH: 1.80           Range:     0.50 - 5.00 uIU/mL

9/12/07:
Free T4:   0.75    Range:     0.71 - 1.85 NG/DL
TSH:   1.27         Range:     0.50 - 5.00 uIU/ML

1/19/08:
Free T4:   0.66    Range:     0.71 - 1.85 NG/DL
TSH:        0.17    Range:    0.50 - 5.00 uIU/mL

1/30/08:
TSH:   0.95         Range:    0.50 - 5.00 uIU/mL

Estradiol, Serum <32
Estradiol Reference Ranges:
Male: <=54   Not sure what the Estradiol tests mean.

It goes on to say no pediatric reference range established.

T-3 Uptake: 40.31 High Range: 25.0 - 35.0%
T-4, Total:     5.7         Range: 4.5 - 12.0 MCG/DL
Free Thyroxine Index:      2.30         Range: 1.12 - 4.20
T-3, Total:     93       Range 60 - 181 NG/DL
Testosterone, Total:         393             Range: 241 - 827 NG/DL

Here are my latest lab results, but I'm not sure they will help in figuring
me out.

Results:           Reference Range/Units:
Glucose 80
Bun 4 L                      6-24 mg/dL
Creatinine 0.8            .6-1.3 mg/dL
Sodium 138               136-145 mmol/L
Potassium 3.8            3.5-5.0 mmol/L
Chloride 105               98-107 mmol/L
CO2 30                      21-30 mmol/L (This test is either over the range or just right at it everytime I'm tested.)
Anion Gap 7               3-12
Calcium 9.3                8.4-10.3 mg/dL
Total Protein 6.8          6.1-8.1 g/dL
Albumin 4.3                 3.1-4.7 g/dL
Globulin 2.5 L              2.7-3.9
A/G Ratio 1.7             .8-1.8
Alkaline Phos 112       50-136
ALT/SGPT 52             30-65 U/L
AST/SGOT 23            15-40 U/L
Total BILI 1.2 H           .0-1.1 mg/dL
Iron 215 H                   25-156 ug/dL
IBCT 247 L                  250-450 ug/dL
%SAT 87.0 H              13.0-45.0

GLYCO 5.1
Est. Mean BLO 84
TSH: 0.86                      .34-4.82 uIU/mL
Ferritin 179                    5-244 ng/mL
Free T4: 0.75                 .59-1.31 ng/dL

[Blue727]

I have posted the tests you asked me about above with some other tests I thought might be relevant in figuring this out.  I hope it's not too much, but I justed wanted to make sure I had everything this last time.  Thanks Again for all your wonderful help and support.

[Blue727]

I posted the tests you wanted to look at.  Thanks!