Reduced iron stores but no iron panel

[VitaminB12]

Today the doctor said an iron panel isn't necessary because although my iron stores are "reduced" my hemoglobin is OK. He doesn't think an iron supplement is needed. I read that iron is important to thyroid function. I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian.

I have to wait until January, 2015 for bloodwork regarding my hypothyroidism.

[gimel]

Since you are dealing with the National Health Service, or whatever it is called in Canada, perhaps you will need to follow the advice of a UK member who finally was successful in getting the necessary testing and treatment.  This is how she finally broke through the barriers.  

"What I have learned from my experience is that you have to go to the Dr's office and TELL THEM WHAT YOU WANT and to go backed up with knowledge.  You have to tell them that you have done your reading and looked into your condition and care about the long-term treatment of your health and thyroid.  If you fight for what you want, you will eventually find someone that is happy to go along with your wishes.  But we all have to take charge of our own health, right?"

And maybe you might give a copy of this link to your doctor.

http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

[VitaminB12]

I feel that my doctor doesn't consider the big picture. I'm disappointed that he won't do an iron panel so I can try to figure out whether I should try an iron supplement (liquid). As a vegetarian getting enough through my diet is a challenge.

[VitaminB12]

Thanks for the post. So in this case I should think the doctor ought to be concerned with my ferretin and its impact on my hypothyroidism. However he doesn't seem to be. He only pays attention to TSH level even though I have asked for Free T4 and Free T3 levels.

[gimel]

This might help clear up the info on ferritin and iron.  It came from this link.

http://www.australianprescriber.com/magazine/20/3/74/6

"Subnormal levels of ferritin can be detected when iron stores are exhausted, but before the serum iron level has become affected. Ferritin thus represents the most sensitive index of early iron deficiency."

Since hypo patients are frequently low in stomach acid, they do not absorb vitamins/nutrients very well.  So, that would account for hypothyroidism causing low ferritin and reduced serum iron levels (although likely still within range, but suboptimal).  And of course low ferritin has been identified as one of the causes for poor conversion of T4 to T3, which will reduce Free T3 and make hypothyroidism worse.  Seems like a vicious circle.  LOL

[VitaminB12]

Thanks for your post.

You wrote, "I've also read that hypothyroidism can cause low ferritin without low iron levels."

OK, but how does one know without bloodwork?

[Barb135]

Yes, optimizing your iron level will be helpful to your overall health; I just didn't want you to think that it would actually prompt your thyroid to produce more hormones, when it won't.

I'd also like to point out that ferritin levels can be deceiving.  My ferritin level was very high, indicating that my iron stores are very high, when, in fact, an iron panel shows my iron stores to be perfectly normal. High ferritin levels indicate inflammation in the body.  

I've also read that hypothyroidism can cause low ferritin without low iron levels.  We already know you have hypothyroidism.