Re: Mothers blood test results..thoughts please.

[Guest guest]

Hi..I've just received my mothers test results..I'd appreciate your thoughts...

She isn't taking any meds,has arthritis & numerous CFS/HypoT/low iron symptoms.

Okay..take a deep breath,here we go....

TSH 0.91 Range 0.3-5.6

Free T4 9.3 Range 7.8-14.4

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies <60 Range 0-60

Anti-tissue transglutaminase level <3 Range 0-3.0

Serum Ferritin 27 Range 12-195

Serum B12 516 Range 150-650

RBC Folate 471 Range 183-584

ELECTROLYTES

Serum Sodium 140 Range 133-145

Serum Potassium 4 Range 3.6-5.2

FBC

WBC 5.4 Range 4-11

RBC 4.24 Range 3.8-4.8

HB 12.7 Range 12-15

Haematocrit 0.370 Range 0.360-0.460

MCV 87 Range 78-101

MCH 30 Range 27-32

MCHC 34.4 Range 31.5-34.5

Platelet Count 279 Range 150-400

Neutrophil Count 3.57 Range 2-7

Lymphocyte Count 1.47 Range 1-3.5

mono 0.23 Range 0.2-1.0

Eos 0.10 Range 0.02-0.5

Baso 0.03 Range 0.02-0.1

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate 10 Range 1-20

Serum Creatinine 54 Range 45-84

Serum Calcium 2.39 Range 2.2-2.65

Plasma Glucose 6.5 Range 3.5-8

LIVER FUNCTION TEST

Bilirubin 7 Range 0-17

Alk Phos 111 Range 30-115

ALT/SGPT17 Range 5-55

Serum Albumin 46 Range 35-52

My mothers GP decided not to perform all the requested tests...GRRRRR!...so at

the moment there are a number of information blanks...She has an appointment

next week with her GP,I'll have her insist in writing that the omitted tests be

performed.

To me ferritin definitely jumps out as being too low..also T4 is at the lower

end of range,low enough to cause problems?

I'd really appreciate your assessment of these results...

Thanks for your time..your help is always very much appreciated:)

~Andy~

List all the blood tests she needs - ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin

D3,magnesium, folate, copper and zinc. Tell the doctor that you know if any of

these levels are low in the range, her thyroid hormone cannot be properl

utilised at cellular level until whatever is low has been treated with

supplements. Ask also for her levels of thyroid antibodies to be tested(this is

IMPORTANT). Thyroid antibodies see the thyroid gland as public enemy number one

and set about its gradual destruction.

I would definitely get the private testing to see how much T4 and T3 her body is

using by doing the 24 hour Genova urine test. Also, is it possible to get her

adrenal function tested at the same time with the 24 hour salivary profile by

Genova?

Luv - Sheila

[Guest guest]

Hi..thanks for your help...Could you possibly clarify a few of the following points.....Free T4 9.3 Range 7.8-14.4 (never seen this reference range before, usually it is around 9.0 to 22.0) but for anybody not taking any form of thyroid hormone replacement, their T4 should be above the middle of the reference range, and 9.3 is too low.Curious,why would free T4 show low in range while TSH at 0.91 is around optimal level..is this a result of her very low ferritin level of 27?..Am I right in thinking that as ferritin approaches optimal level thyroid function will improve? For a fuller picture of what's happening with her thyroid I'll try to convince her GP of the necessity of testing free T3.Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies <60 Range 0-60 (right at top of the range so needs watching. Are there other members of your family who have a thyroid or autoimmune disease Andy?Anti-tissue transglutaminase level <3 Range 0-3.0 (again, needs retesting as TPA does at some time shortly)Can you clarify your interpretation of the antibody tests..I thought the arrow pointing to the left of test range indicated that the lab considered the results in normal range & therefore they did not include the actual test result ...Wouldn't the antibody tests need to be over the top of range for the lab to consider it positive?The only family member I know of that has a thyroid problem is my mothers sister...goitre many years ago,Hypothyroid.Serum Ferritin 27 Range 12-195 - WOAH! This is FAR too low. For a woman, her ferritin level should be somewhere in the region of 70 to 90. She is in dire need of some form of elemental iron such as Ferrous sulphate, 200mgs twice daily, Spatone etc. Her doctor should have given a prescription for this,but you can buy it at a good health food store. Tell her to take with food and drink plenty of orange juice with it and take with high dose vitamin C.I strongly suspected low iron,after the blood tests I started her on 50mg Iron Bisglycinate 2x daily taken with with Vit C (magnesium ascorbate powder) & food...is 100mg Iron Bisglycinate enough?...I had considered adding Lactoferrin to increase iron absorption,any thoughts?I'll ask her doctor to perform a full Iron panel,I think with ferritin of 27 it's justified.Serum Potassium 4 Range 3.6-5.2 - this is on the low side, it should be around 4.5 so needs watching. I'll try & convince her to eat more potassium rich foods & ask GP to retest in a few months time.Plasma Glucose 6.5 Range 3.5-8 - too high, needs watching.I agree,too high..not yet pre diabetes but plasma glucose certainly doesn't want to go any higher...I'll add chromium polynicotinate to her supplements & retest in a few months time...She takes 5 grams D-Ribose daily in water with breakfast,I'm wondering if Ribose as a sugar is pushing her glucose levels up,any thoughts?I'll ask her GP in writing to perform all the tests he chose not to perform,full iron panel,D,magnesium,zinc copper..I'll also try to convince her GP of the necessity of testing free T3.My mothers present supplement regime includes..B Complex 1x daily (Jarrow B Right)200mcg Selenium 1x daily (Selenomethionine)25mg Zinc Gluconate 1x dailyIron Bisglycinate 50mg 2x daily with Vitamin C powder 3-4 grams (magnesium ascorbate)Magnesium Malate 2x daily 300mg magnesiumSub-lingual B12 Methyl-Cobalamin 1000mcg alternate days200mcg Chromium Polynicotinate 1x dailyD-Ribose 5 grams dailyAcetyl L-CarntineGlucosamine & ChondroitinAny supplements you'd consider adding,removing or increasing?Any further tests you'd advise performing?Thanks for your help & your valuable time..it's always very much appreciated.~Andy~

[Guest guest]

Could you possibly clarify a few of the following points.....

Free T4 9.3 Range 7.8-14.4 (never seen this

reference range before, usually it is around 9.0 to 22.0) but for anybody not

taking any form of thyroid hormone replacement, their T4 should be above the

middle of the reference range, and 9.3 is too low.

Curious,why would free T4 show low in range

while TSH at 0.91 is around optimal level..is this a result of her very low

ferritin level of 27?..Am I right in thinking that as ferritin approaches

optimal level thyroid function will improve?

When

the T4 level is low and TSH is not elevated, the pituitary gland is

likely to be the cause for the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Of course, this

would drastically effect treatment since the pituitary gland also regulates the

body's other glands (adrenals, ovaries etc) as well as controlling normal

kidney function. Pituitary gland failure means that the other glands may also fail

and other treatment than just thyroid hormone replacement may become necessary.

As far as ferritin and it's association with thyroid is concerned, read the

following   http://www.thewayup.com/newsletters/081504.htm

and http://www.ithyroid.com/iron.htm

.. Read alsohttp://www.femail.com.au/iron-levels-tony-pearce.htm

For a fuller picture of what's happening with

her thyroid I'll try to convince her GP of the necessity of testing free T3.

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies <60 Range 0-60 (right at top of the range so

needs watching. Are there other members of your family who have a thyroid or

autoimmune disease Andy?

Anti-tissue transglutaminase level <3 Range 0-3.0 (again, needs retesting as

TPA does at some time shortly)

Can you clarify your interpretation of the antibody tests..I thought the

arrow pointing to the left of test range indicated that the lab considered the

results in normal range & therefore they did not include the actual

test result ...Wouldn't the antibody tests need to be over the top of range for

the lab to consider it positive?

The only family member I know of that has a thyroid problem is my mothers

sister...goitre many years ago,Hypothyroid.

The arrow

pointing to the left means your result was greater than 60 showing she had more

antibodies than the normal reference range which is 0 to 60. This is the same

with tha Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase level, which showed a number 'greater'

than 3, where the normal reference range is 0 to 3.0.

Serum Ferritin 27 Range

12-195 - WOAH! This is FAR too low. For a woman, her ferritin level should be

somewhere in the region of 70 to 90. She is in dire need of some form of

elemental iron such as Ferrous sulphate, 200mgs twice daily, Spatone etc. Her

doctor should have given a prescription for this,but you can buy it at a good

health food store. Tell her to take with food and drink plenty of orange juice

with it and take with high dose vitamin C.

I strongly suspected low iron,after the blood tests I started her on 50mg Iron

Bisglycinate 2x daily taken with with Vit C (magnesium ascorbate powder)

& food...is 100mg Iron Bisglycinate enough?...I had considered adding

Lactoferrin to increase iron absorption,any thoughts?

I'll ask her doctor to perform a full Iron panel,I think with ferritin of 27

it's justified.

Lactoferrin

sounds amazing. I have found the following " The strong affinity for iron

is the key to understanding lactoferrins beneficial properties. Since it binds

readily with iron, it improves the body's uptake of iron (bioavailability of

iron) and so helps prevent iron deficiency and anaemia, which are nutritional

disorders affecting around 20 per cent of the world's population. In binding

with iron, it also deprives harmful bacteria of this essential resource and so

inhibits their chances of surviving and multiplying. Apart from this antibiotic

property, the binding with iron reduces the chances of the formation of

free-radicals and so helps prevent cell damage that is part of the aging

process " . http://www.worldwidehealth.com/health-article-Lactoferrin-Amazing-Health-Benefits.html

I would get your Mum's ferritin retested after being a month on

the 100mgs Iron bisglycinate and decide whether this dosage is OK for her. She

does, however, need to take at least 3/4000 mgs vitamin C (or even more if

possible) to help the iron absorb efficiently. She should also not take any

thyroid hormone replacement four hours either side of any thyroid hormone

replacement.

Serum Potassium 4 Range

3.6-5.2 - this is on the low side, it should be around 4.5 so needs watching.

I'll try & convince her to eat more potassium rich foods & ask GP to

retest in a few months time.

Plasma Glucose 6.5 Range 3.5-8 - too high, needs

watching.

I agree,too high..not yet pre diabetes but plasma glucose certainly doesn't

want to go any higher...I'll add chromium polynicotinate to her supplements

& retest in a few months time...She takes 100mg Iron Bisglycinate daily in

water with breakfast,I'm wondering if Ribose as a sugar is pushing her glucose

levels up,any thoughts?

Concerning

D-Ribose, I don't know much about this but you might want to read the

conversation here http://chronicallyme.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/d-ribose-action-plan-first-week/

I'll ask her GP in writing to perform all the

tests he chose not to perform,full iron panel,D,magnesium,zinc copper..I'll

also try to convince her GP of the necessity of testing free T3.

If

your GP won't test her free T3 you can get this tested privately for £17 at

Lab21 http://www.lab-21.com/healthcare/thyroid.php

My mothers present supplement regime includes..

B Complex 1x daily (Jarrow B Right)

200mcg Selenium 1x daily (Selenomethionine)

25mg Zinc Gluconate 1x daily

Iron Bisglycinate 50mg 2x daily with Vitamin C powder 3-4 grams (magnesium

ascorbate)

Magnesium Malate 2x daily 300mg magnesium

Sub-lingual B12 Methyl-Cobalamin 1000mcg alternate days (why alternate days -

if she has low B12, she should be taking 1000mgs daily)

200mcg Chromium Polynicotinate 1x daily (Have you read the

information here  http://www.oralchelation.com/ingred/chromium.htm

D-Ribose 5 grams daily

Acetyl L-Carntine  (Why is she taking this? Side effects can be that

she may be able to experience having too much energy when taking them, and if she

takes them later during the day, she might have difficulties falling asleep.

These side effects are not really reason for concern in many people, as they

are mostly mild to moderate, and easy to deal with. Some reported L-carnitine

side effects include vomiting, nausea, headache, diarrhoea, stuffy nose,

restlessness and sleeping difficulty. Some serious side effects may include

fast heartbeat rates, increase in your blood pressure and fever. However, if she

has low or border-line thyroid levels, she should not take L-carnitine as it

may impair the action of her thyroid hormone.  

As a dietary supplement for weight loss, the only danger that L-carnitine poses

is the risk for anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder marked by starvation).

Because L-carnitine can decrease your appetite, this desired effect can worsen

and you can end up starving yourself due to physiologically reasons or in hopes

of losing more and more weight. Read more about this here http://www.nutritional-supplements-health-guide.com/l-carnitine-side-effects.html

Glucosamine & Chondroitin

Any supplements you'd consider adding,removing or increasing?

It might be an idea to talk to a good nutritionist to see what

they think of this mix Andy.

Any further tests you'd advise

performing? See above - Free T3 at Lab21

Thanks for your help & your valuable time..it's always very much

appreciated.

Luv - Sheila

~Andy~

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila,thanks for your reply...A few more questions...When the T4 level is low and TSH is not elevated, the pituitary gland is likely to be the cause for the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Of course, this would drastically effect treatment since the pituitary gland also regulates the body's other glands (adrenals, ovaries etc) as well as controlling normal kidney function. Pituitary gland failure means that the other glands may also fail and other treatment than just thyroid hormone replacement may become necessary.As my mother had a complete hysterectomy over twenty years ago & with TSH & T4 suggesting the possibility of a pituitary issue would it be a good idea to have her sex hormones tested at this point in time..if so which tests are recommended?Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies <60 Range 0-60 (right at top of the range so needs watching.What level would Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies have to reach for a diagnosis of Hashimoto's?The arrow pointing to the left means your result was greater than 60 showing she had more antibodies than the normal reference range which is 0 to 60.This is the same with tha Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase level, which showed a number 'greater' than 3, where the normal reference range is 0 to 3.0.I hadn't seen the < symbol used in test results before so thanks for clarifying.I would get your Mum's ferritin retested after being a month on the 100mgs Iron bisglycinate and decide whether this dosage is OK for her. She does,however, need to take at least 3/4000 mgs vitamin C (or even more if possible) to help the iron absorb efficiently. She should also not take any thyroid hormone replacement four hours either side of any thyroid hormone replacement.With free T4 low in range (Free T4 9.3 Range 7.8-14.4 TSH 0.91 Range 0.3-5.6 ) when ferritin & all other factors are optimized would a trial of NDT be worthwhile?I'll try to get free T3 tested via her GP if he's not agreeable I'll use Lab21.Thanks for your time...always appreciated:)~Andy~

[Guest guest]

Hi Andy - I would read the following information which should

give you some of the answers you need http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Hypothalamic-pituitary+dysfunction.

As far as reaching a diagnosis of Hashimoto's is concerned, if

you have TPO antibodies outside the top of the reference range, then this

is Hashimoto's. Hashimoto's is a cause of hypothyroid symptoms, treatment is

the same as for any other cause, but getting such a diagnosis means that she will

probably get other a

Once any low level of minerals or supplements have been treated,

there is absolutely no doubt that anybody taking thyroid hormone replacement

would do very much better taking natural thyroid extract rather than synthetic

T4 only. T4 is a mainly inactive prohormone that must convert to the active T3.

T3 is needed by every cell in the body and brain to make them function. Our

body needs T3 - NOT T4. NDT contains T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin.

Now, I must go out!

Luv - Sheila

As my mother had a complete hysterectomy over twenty years ago & with TSH

& T4 suggesting the possibility of a pituitary issue would it be a good

idea to have her sex hormones tested at this point in time..if so which tests

are recommended?

With free T4 low in range (Free T4 9.3

Range 7.8-14.4 TSH 0.91

Range 0.3-5.6 ) when ferritin & all other

factors are optimized would a trial of NDT be worthwhile?

__

[Guest guest]

Hi andy, your mother has hashimoto`s, as the auto-antibodies are over 20. their is no such thing as a normal range as we all have a set point as to wherewe are in relation to our hormones. having said that she will nor get the correct treatment until they are much higher. I have TPOab at15.5 which was tested privately as doctors don`t test these usually until your TSH is over 5.0or even 6.0. my own TSH was at 3.85 so told normal. but anything over 2.0 should be treated . in America they treat when over 3.0. and sheila says in some country's it is much lower at 2.50. don`t take the first opinion as Gospel.always question everything. that's the best advice anyone can give you. anti meams against and auto means self.

[Guest guest]

>Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies <60 Range 0-60 (right at top of the range so

needs watching.

>>What level would Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies have to reach for a

diagnosis of Hashimoto's?

>The arrow pointing to the left means your result was greater than 60

showing she had more antibodies than the normal reference range which is 0 to

60.This is the same with tha Anti-Tissue Transglutaminase level, which showed a

number 'greater' than 3, where the normal reference range is 0 to 3.0.

>>I hadn't seen the < symbol used in test results before so thanks for

clarifying.

i'm querying the interpretation of the arrow pointing to the left meaning

*greater than* ....i have always interpreted it is *less than*???? on the

computer keyboard < = less than and > = greater than so it seems a bit odd and

confusing to have a reverse meaning on blood tests (but life is like that it

seems, why make it easy if there's the chance to make it hard!!)

http://www.grassrootsdesign.com/intro/char.php

trish

>

> Hi Sheila,thanks for your reply...

>

[Guest guest]

OooEr! Massive Apologies. Yes Trish, I got myself properly mixed

up there. Apologies to you too Andy. The top of the reference range was 60, and

now, with the correct interpretation, your Mum has less than 60 so she is

unlikely to be given a diagnosis of Hashimoto's. However, this does not mean

that she does not have antibodies, she should keep insisting these are tested

for. Quite often, they will show up if she goes on a gluten free diet for a

couple of weeks before the blood test.

See the crocodiles here. I will have to remember this - http://www.sparklebox2.co.uk/596-600/s2b596.html

Luv - Sheila

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies <60 Range 0-60 (right at top of the range so

needs watching.

i'm querying the interpretation of the arrow pointing to the left meaning

*greater than* ....i have always interpreted it is *less than*???? on the

computer keyboard < = less than and > = greater than so it seems a bit

odd and confusing to have a reverse meaning on blood tests (but life is like

that it seems, why make it easy if there's the chance to make it hard!!)

http://www.grassrootsdesign.com/intro/char.php

trish

.._,___

[Guest guest]

OooEr! Massive Apologies. Yes Trish, I got myself properly mixed up there.Apologies to you too Andy. The top of the reference range was 60, and now,with the correct interpretation, your Mum has less than 60 so she is unlikely to be given a diagnosis of Hashimoto's.Hmmmmmm..ok Sheila,one hundred lines on the blackboard...."Arrow left less than Arrow right greater than"..then straight to bed with no supper :PHowever, this does not mean that she does not have antibodies, she should keep insisting these are tested for. Quite often, they will show up if she goes on a gluten free diet for a couple of weeks before the blood test. I advised my mum to go completely gluten free a few days ago,next time she sees her GP I'll ask to have TPO retested.~Andy~PS. don't forget now..no supper!

[Guest guest]

OooEr! Massive Apologies. Yes Trish, I got myself properly mixed up there. Apologies to you too Andy. The top of the reference range was 60, and now, with the correct interpretation, your Mum has less than 60 so she is unlikely to be given a diagnosis of Hashimoto's. However, this does not mean that she does not have antibodies, she should keep insisting these are tested for. Quite often, they will show up if she goes on a gluten free diet for a couple of weeks before the blood test.

Oh no Sheila, more mix-up, LOL .... you meant to say that eating gluten - particularly for a few days before a blood test - might do the trick when you want to bring up the numbers of auto-antibodies, and Andy's mum just needs a few more to test positive, so definitely worth the effort .... . A gluten-free diet is supposed to reduce the number of the AA's. Dr. Kharrazian says that if symptoms suggest the disease, it is necessary to challenge the patient with gluten just before a blood test to bring up the numbers.

Love,

xx

[Guest guest]

Oh no Sheila, more mix-up, LOL .... you meant to say that eating gluten

- particularly for a few days before a blood test - might do the trick when you want to bring up the numbers of auto-antibodies, and Andy's mum

just needs a few more to test positive, so definitely worth the effort .... . A gluten-free diet is supposed to reduce the number of the AA's. Dr. Kharrazian says

that if symptoms suggest the disease, it is necessary to challenge the patient with gluten just before a blood test to bring up the numbers.

Love,

xx......ok who's got the keys to the doghouse..right then Sheila in you go,quick marchGood to know properly treated Hypothyroid improves cognitive function so dramaticallyJust informed my mum she can go back to a gluten containing diet until after her next TPO test,thanks Hugs going out to Sheila for having one of those days...~Andy~

[Guest guest]

Heck -now I'm getting worried about me - I think I need a

holiday - it was Dr Kharrazian's book I got that information from, yet I still

managed to write the wrong thing. I think I will write out that 100 l9ines on

the blackboard and go to bed without any supper. I think I am really in need of

some time off. Thanks for being there Chrstina and putting me right.

Luv - Sheila

OooEr! Massive Apologies. Yes Trish, I got myself

properly mixed up there. Apologies to you too Andy. The top of the reference

range was 60, and now, with the correct interpretation, your Mum has less than

60 so she is unlikely to be given a diagnosis of Hashimoto's. However, this

does not mean that she does not have antibodies, she should keep insisting

these are tested for. Quite often, they will show up if she goes on a gluten

free diet for a couple of weeks before the blood test.

Oh no Sheila, more mix-up, LOL ....

you meant to say that eating gluten - particularly for a few days before

a blood test - might do the trick when you want to bring up the numbers of

auto-antibodies, and Andy's mum just needs a few more to test positive, so

definitely worth the effort .... . A gluten-free diet is supposed to

reduce the number of the AA's. Dr. Kharrazian says that if symptoms

suggest the disease, it is necessary to challenge the patient with gluten just

before a blood test to bring up the numbers.

Love,

xx