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Newbie with Thyroid & Iron Issue.. HELP :)
I am new here but have a question. I just got my results back and It seems that I am all out of whack:
Ferritin = 176 normal is 13 - 126
FT4 = 0.8 which is as low as the chart goes 0.8 - 1.5
T3 = 98 range 58-159
TPO AB = 47.0 which seemed really high? standard range <=5.5
TSH = 3.51 range 0.35 to 4.0
B-12 = 288 which seems low too? normal is 200 - 910
IRON is 252 and normal range is 37-145 :(
I had to fight with Kaiser to get these done because I have had sudden weight gain, hair loss, and feel like POOP! Thoughts?
Ferritin = 176 normal is 13 - 126
FT4 = 0.8 which is as low as the chart goes 0.8 - 1.5
T3 = 98 range 58-159
TPO AB = 47.0 which seemed really high? standard range <=5.5
TSH = 3.51 range 0.35 to 4.0
B-12 = 288 which seems low too? normal is 200 - 910
IRON is 252 and normal range is 37-145 :(
I had to fight with Kaiser to get these done because I have had sudden weight gain, hair loss, and feel like POOP! Thoughts?
Thank you!! Yes still menstruating like clockwork, that is the one test that she said came out like a 30 yo lol Said I was NO where near even peri menopause. :) Not sure if I should be happy about that lol
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yes, of course, go through the testing and everything, because you don't want to leave something to chance.
I'm not real sure how long it would take iron levels to return to normal, but your levels weren't horribly high, so if you stop the supplements and assuming that you're still menstruating, it shouldn't take more than a couple months or so. Do be sure to tell your doctor all of this, though.
I'm not real sure how long it would take iron levels to return to normal, but your levels weren't horribly high, so if you stop the supplements and assuming that you're still menstruating, it shouldn't take more than a couple months or so. Do be sure to tell your doctor all of this, though.
Thank you!!! I am not sure how long it takes for Iron to get normal, or if I have the gene, but I will be tested. :)
COMMUNITY LEADER
I found that, too, but I'm not sure ALL biotin supplements have iron and you do have to stay within reasonable dosages... i.e. the dosage stated on the bottle. A little is good, doesn't mean a lot is better... lol
There are other things that can help with hair loss, such as Vitamin E and fish oil, but again, you have to be careful, because vitamin E is oil soluble and is toxic if you take too much.
Dry, scaly skin often goes with hypothyroidism, as well as hair loss, so if your skin isn't dry, possibly your hair loss isn't due to being hypo. Hair and skin are mostly protein, so you have to make sure you're getting adequate amounts of ALL nutrients, not just a few, in order to healthy hair and skin.
The good news is that it's beginning to look like you might not have hemochromatosis. You just need to have time to get all the vitamins out of your system, then retest your blood. I'm not sure how long all that iron would be stored and if your body can use it, without it having to have it withdrawn. I've read that with hemochromatosis, iron levels are often over 1000 and yours are a long way from that.
One other thing I must point out is that all vitamins/minerals must be taken at least 4 hours from your thyroid medication, as they can inhibit absorption of the med. Be sure you're taking it first thing in the morning with water, then wait 30-60 minutes before eating/drinking anything. Typically, you can take the thyroid med in the morning, then take vitamins/minerals around noon, or at bedtime.
There are other things that can help with hair loss, such as Vitamin E and fish oil, but again, you have to be careful, because vitamin E is oil soluble and is toxic if you take too much.
Dry, scaly skin often goes with hypothyroidism, as well as hair loss, so if your skin isn't dry, possibly your hair loss isn't due to being hypo. Hair and skin are mostly protein, so you have to make sure you're getting adequate amounts of ALL nutrients, not just a few, in order to healthy hair and skin.
The good news is that it's beginning to look like you might not have hemochromatosis. You just need to have time to get all the vitamins out of your system, then retest your blood. I'm not sure how long all that iron would be stored and if your body can use it, without it having to have it withdrawn. I've read that with hemochromatosis, iron levels are often over 1000 and yours are a long way from that.
One other thing I must point out is that all vitamins/minerals must be taken at least 4 hours from your thyroid medication, as they can inhibit absorption of the med. Be sure you're taking it first thing in the morning with water, then wait 30-60 minutes before eating/drinking anything. Typically, you can take the thyroid med in the morning, then take vitamins/minerals around noon, or at bedtime.
Oh geez... thank you.. I will be stopping right away! I had no idea.. and I was taking 10000 per day..... Oh gosh!
I did find this online: "Biotin supplements contain iron, because the two are closely linked." I don't know if this is true or not lol but it's worth stopping the biotin supplement to see if your iron levels go down.
It was an early morning fasting blood test. It didn't give me a range, just the actual number.
COMMUNITY LEADER
What was the reference range for the cortisol? Was it just a single fasting? That's usually not very accurate. You really need a 24 hr saliva test to find out what's going on over the course, of the day.
Cortisol should be highest in the morning, as we're preparing to start the day, then dwindle off as the day goes on and be lowest in the evening as we prepare to sleep.
Cortisol should be highest in the morning, as we're preparing to start the day, then dwindle off as the day goes on and be lowest in the evening as we prepare to sleep.
Thank you so much!!! I am taking biotin 5000 per day as well. I got my cortisol Back and it was 23.6? Is that normal?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Have you told your doctor? Your levels aren't so "horribly" high and that could be a reason for the too high iron. Once some of that iron gets out of your system, your levels may fall back into normal ranges and you may find that you don't have hemochromatosis after all.
You might look into Biotin for hair loss, and make sure you get enough protein in your diet, since hair is mostly protein. In addition, the thyroid hormone should help, as long as the doctor is willing to increase dosage, as needed.
You might look into Biotin for hair loss, and make sure you get enough protein in your diet, since hair is mostly protein. In addition, the thyroid hormone should help, as long as the doctor is willing to increase dosage, as needed.
I was taking a prenatal vitamin recently for a few months because I was freaking out about my hair loss and thought I needed a good vitamin. I stopped taking it about 2 weeks ago. I am glad I did because it has extra iron
COMMUNITY LEADER
Inflammation is the body's attempt to protect itself from harmful stimuli. Hashimoto's can produce inflammation and it's quite normal. You don't necessarily need an endocrinologist. Not all endos are good thyroid doctors and not all good thyroid doctors are endos.
Hemochromatosis will have to be confirmed and treated before a whole lot more can be done, as that can mimic symptoms of other conditions. Primary hemochromatosis is inherited, secondary hemochromatosis isn't.
I guess it's safe to assume you don't take iron supplements?
Hemochromatosis will have to be confirmed and treated before a whole lot more can be done, as that can mimic symptoms of other conditions. Primary hemochromatosis is inherited, secondary hemochromatosis isn't.
I guess it's safe to assume you don't take iron supplements?
Inflammation? What can that be? My doctor is not the best with this, I need to see an Endocrinologist. asap... my current doctor ordered more tests, not sure what, but said she definitely believes I have hemochromatosis which is an inherited gene :( To control it, I will have to have phlebotomy treatments weekly to begin with and then depending, can be just a few times a year. ***** :(
COMMUNITY LEADER
Oral supplements don't work as well for all of us. They do nothing for me, including the sublingual (the ones that melt under your tongue). I have to inject on a weekly basis in order to keep my levels up near the top of the range. Some also do well with sprays, which also do not work well for me.
High ferritin levels can also be a sign of inflammation in the body, so you might want to check that out, but since you have the high iron level, you'll have that to contend with. Did they give a plan of action on that?
High ferritin levels can also be a sign of inflammation in the body, so you might want to check that out, but since you have the high iron level, you'll have that to contend with. Did they give a plan of action on that?
COMMUNITY LEADER
There's more information at the bottom of this thread:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/Is-TSH-a-reliable-test-or-is-there-another-test-that-is-more-reliable/show/1988446#post_11657643
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/Is-TSH-a-reliable-test-or-is-there-another-test-that-is-more-reliable/show/1988446#post_11657643
Yes WAY too low... I asked about b-12 shots, but apparently the suppliments should work just as good? I am not sure if that is true or not.
Yes I started taking b-12 supplements and I also got my Vitamin D levels and they were only 25!! I am taking 1000 Vitamin D but I am going to up that to 2000 for a bit, also I got put on 25 mg of the thyroid meds. Really low but hopefully she will continue to bump it up as time goes on. I am not taking IRON supps because I found out that on top of everything my body is IN MAJOR overload with IRON.. It is probably homochromotosis. SUCKY, but can be definitely managed with no issues. Between being so B-12 deficient and Vitamin D deficient, and the Hashimoto's and the Hypo thyroid, **** it is a wonder I even get out of bed lol... Thank GOD I pushed my Dr. My original testing she did came back "great" according to her.. .I was like YOU DID not order anything to do with thyroid except a TSH which is crap... Goes to show you that every person needs to be in control of their health and not just take what a Dr. says. :)
Also agree Hshimotos and your B-12 is not only low it is WAAAAAAY too low.
Most countries outside the USA don't even start the lower level of B-12 "normal" range until 500. Many people do not feel well until thier B-12 is towards the very upper part of the range, like 900 or so.
Most countries outside the USA don't even start the lower level of B-12 "normal" range until 500. Many people do not feel well until thier B-12 is towards the very upper part of the range, like 900 or so.
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