need help with labs-ferritin vs tibc and uicb

[Guest guest]

Hello

I would love an opinion on labs for anyone who is willing, especially an expert

in iron issues...

I have been having high heart rate, low temps and palps recently on 80 mcg of

cytomel, so I went to get my ferritin, iron panel and T3.

To give some background: Around a year ago when I started all of this my

ferritin was low at 21, so I started supplementing, but when I tested it next,

my ferritin was around 50 but my iron was too high, like I had iron overload. I

had to stop supplementing the iron, although I suspect I had not let enough time

go by off my supplements before the test, and the test results may have been

skewed high. I think I was off the iron for 4 days before I tested. I stopped

taking iron anyway to be safe, though.

Anyway, it looks like my ferritin is low again at 28, but my uicb and tibc are

also on the low side, (which suggests iron overload, right?), although my iron

is normal.

I am starting supplementation again, but should I just take a small amount

because my tibc and uicb are low? Does anyone know why this is happening?

Thanks

Liz W

ferritin 28 (10-291)

TIBC 272 (250-450)

UIBC 176 (150-375)

serum iron 96 (35-155)

iron saturation 35% (15-55)

Free T3 4.2 (2.0-4.4)

[Guest guest]

I realized that when I had a high iron level before in a blood test I had only

stopped my iron supplements 2 1/2 days before the test, not 4, so just a

correction... :-)

[Guest guest]

Are you also on the adrenal list? A few members are more well-versed on iron

than most of us. Did you have a higher iron level than the one posted? Have you

also checked aldosterone? And what are your potassium and sodium levels like?

Those can all contribute to a high pulse. Are your temps stable? I needed

aldosterone to bring down my pulse, FWTW. How high is your resting heart rate?

(Oh, and be sure to BUMP your WHOLE post, so Val and the others don't have to

search for your original post) --Irene

>

> Hello

> I would love an opinion on labs for anyone who is willing, especially an

expert in iron issues...

> I have been having high heart rate, low temps and palps recently on 80 mcg of

cytomel, so I went to get my ferritin, iron panel and T3.

> To give some background: Around a year ago when I started all of this my

ferritin was low at 21, so I started supplementing, but when I tested it next,

my ferritin was around 50 but my iron was too high, like I had iron overload. I

had to stop supplementing the iron, although I suspect I had not let enough time

go by off my supplements before the test, and the test results may have been

skewed high. I think I was off the iron for 4 days before I tested. I stopped

taking iron anyway to be safe, though.

>

> Anyway, it looks like my ferritin is low again at 28, but my uicb and tibc are

also on the low side, (which suggests iron overload, right?), although my iron

is normal.

> I am starting supplementation again, but should I just take a small amount

because my tibc and uicb are low? Does anyone know why this is happening?

> Thanks

> Liz W

>

> ferritin 28 (10-291)

> TIBC 272 (250-450)

> UIBC 176 (150-375)

> serum iron 96 (35-155)

> iron saturation 35% (15-55)

> Free T3 4.2 (2.0-4.4)

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the reply.

I will go ask on the adrenal board.

My sodium and potassium have always been okay. RHR varies but gets around 100 a

lot now. I have tried drinking salt water to bring it down but it doesn't help.

This happened to me before but at that time I had to take HC to bring the heart

rate down as I had increased cytomel. Now I suspect it is the ferritin instead

because the HC doesn't do the trick.I have noticed I can drop a little bit of HC

since I started the iron again, but maybe its in my head??

Liz W

> >

> > Hello

> > I would love an opinion on labs for anyone who is willing, especially an

expert in iron issues...

> > I have been having high heart rate, low temps and palps recently on 80 mcg

of cytomel, so I went to get my ferritin, iron panel and T3.

> > To give some background: Around a year ago when I started all of this my

ferritin was low at 21, so I started supplementing, but when I tested it next,

my ferritin was around 50 but my iron was too high, like I had iron overload. I

had to stop supplementing the iron, although I suspect I had not let enough time

go by off my supplements before the test, and the test results may have been

skewed high. I think I was off the iron for 4 days before I tested. I stopped

taking iron anyway to be safe, though.

> >

> > Anyway, it looks like my ferritin is low again at 28, but my uicb and tibc

are also on the low side, (which suggests iron overload, right?), although my

iron is normal.

> > I am starting supplementation again, but should I just take a small amount

because my tibc and uicb are low? Does anyone know why this is happening?

> > Thanks

> > Liz W

> >

> > ferritin 28 (10-291)

> > TIBC 272 (250-450)

> > UIBC 176 (150-375)

> > serum iron 96 (35-155)

> > iron saturation 35% (15-55)

> > Free T3 4.2 (2.0-4.4)

> >

>

[Guest guest]

My RHR was always around 100, too, and salt water never helped. I needed

aldosterone. Have you had that checked? My sodium and potassium levels were

okay, too. The iron IS a problem, but aldosterone is something worth checking

also if you haven't. --Irene

>

>

> Thanks for the reply.

> I will go ask on the adrenal board.

> My sodium and potassium have always been okay. RHR varies but gets around 100

a lot now. I have tried drinking salt water to bring it down but it doesn't

help.

> This happened to me before but at that time I had to take HC to bring the

heart rate down as I had increased cytomel. Now I suspect it is the ferritin

instead because the HC doesn't do the trick.I have noticed I can drop a little

bit of HC since I started the iron again, but maybe its in my head??

> Liz W

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

When aldosterone is low we just add Sodium. Right?

My RHR was always around 100, too, and salt water never helped. I needed aldosterone. Have you had that checked? My sodium and potassium levels were okay, too. The iron IS a problem, but aldosterone is something worth checking also if you haven't. --Irene

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Irene

I did have aldosterone checked in a urine test once and it actually came out

high. My doc said it was because I didn't have enough salt in my diet. I did a

subsequent blood test and it came back normal. I have in the past wondered if I

had low aldo because I used to get faint when I stood up, but since I upped my

HC that problem is gone now, thankfully. Are you on florinef?

Liz w

> >

> >

> > Thanks for the reply.

> > I will go ask on the adrenal board.

> > My sodium and potassium have always been okay. RHR varies but gets around

100 a lot now. I have tried drinking salt water to bring it down but it doesn't

help.

> > This happened to me before but at that time I had to take HC to bring the

heart rate down as I had increased cytomel. Now I suspect it is the ferritin

instead because the HC doesn't do the trick.I have noticed I can drop a little

bit of HC since I started the iron again, but maybe its in my head??

> > Liz W

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

>

> I did a subsequent blood test and it came back normal.

Mine fell in the normal range, too. 13, if I remember correctly, which Val said

was low enough to warrant a trial of Florinef.

> > I have in the past wondered if I had low aldo because I used to get faint

when I stood up, but since I upped my HC that problem is gone now, thankfully.

I've been able to drop my HC a little since getting on the aldosterone. Do you

flunk the flashlight test?

> > Are you on florinef?

I'm taking the bio-identical aldosterone. Couldn't tolerate Florinef.

I noticed your other post that said you just upped your cytomel. That will more

than likely stress your adrenals with your low ferritin and that high heart

rate. Are your averaged temps varying no more than .2 degrees from one day to

the next? And does your BP rise on standing?

Irene

[Guest guest]

Hi Irene

I am going to ask for another aldosterone test when I see my doc. Is serum

aldosterone a reliable test? Isn't bioidentical aldosterone super expensive? I

would rather try that than the florinef.

I don't know if my blood pressure rises upon standing, but it is always

low-normal. My temps are hard to track, I have to admit, but they were not

stable before I tried the iron supplements, although they were not totally off

the charts unstable either.

It was probably a bad idea to up the T3, but I kind of feel like I am in a weird

holding pattern and my temps are soooo low. Do you think I should go back down

on the T3?

When my naturopath doc saw me for the first time a year ago I did flunk the

flashlight test. At that time I got dizzy when I stood up. I don't have that

sympton anymore, though, luckily. I still want to get another test, though

Liz w

> >

> > I did a subsequent blood test and it came back normal.

>

> Mine fell in the normal range, too. 13, if I remember correctly, which Val

said was low enough to warrant a trial of Florinef.

>

> > > I have in the past wondered if I had low aldo because I used to get faint

when I stood up, but since I upped my HC that problem is gone now, thankfully.

>

> I've been able to drop my HC a little since getting on the aldosterone. Do you

flunk the flashlight test?

>

> > > Are you on florinef?

>

> I'm taking the bio-identical aldosterone. Couldn't tolerate Florinef.

>

> I noticed your other post that said you just upped your cytomel. That will

more than likely stress your adrenals with your low ferritin and that high heart

rate. Are your averaged temps varying no more than .2 degrees from one day to

the next? And does your BP rise on standing?

> Irene

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Irene

I am going to ask for another aldosterone test when I see my doc. Is serum

aldosterone a reliable test? Isn't bioidentical aldosterone super expensive? I

would rather try that than the florinef.

I don't know if my blood pressure rises upon standing, but it is always

low-normal. My temps are hard to track, I have to admit, but they were not

stable before I tried the iron supplements, although they were not totally off

the charts unstable either.

It was probably a bad idea to up the T3, but I kind of feel like I am in a weird

holding pattern and my temps are soooo low. Do you think I should go back down

on the T3?

When my naturopath doc saw me for the first time a year ago I did flunk the

flashlight test. At that time I got dizzy when I stood up. I don't have that

sympton anymore, though, luckily. I still want to get another test, though

Liz w

> >

> > I did a subsequent blood test and it came back normal.

>

> Mine fell in the normal range, too. 13, if I remember correctly, which Val

said was low enough to warrant a trial of Florinef.

>

> > > I have in the past wondered if I had low aldo because I used to get faint

when I stood up, but since I upped my HC that problem is gone now, thankfully.

>

> I've been able to drop my HC a little since getting on the aldosterone. Do you

flunk the flashlight test?

>

> > > Are you on florinef?

>

> I'm taking the bio-identical aldosterone. Couldn't tolerate Florinef.

>

> I noticed your other post that said you just upped your cytomel. That will

more than likely stress your adrenals with your low ferritin and that high heart

rate. Are your averaged temps varying no more than .2 degrees from one day to

the next? And does your BP rise on standing?

> Irene

>

[Guest guest]

>

> I am going to ask for another aldosterone test when I see my doc. Is serum

aldosterone a reliable test?

Yes, as long as it's done correctly. You need to be lying down for 30 mintues

before the draw, OR standing for 2 hours. My doc did both tests, which was no

fun, since I had to walk around for 2 hours and return for the second blood

draw.

> Isn't bioidentical aldosterone super expensive? I would rather try that than

the florinef.

Yes, it's a lot more expensive. Shipping from Canada alone is $25. I'd use

Florinef if I could. My husband does.

> I don't know if my blood pressure rises upon standing, but it is always

low-normal. My temps are hard to track, I have to admit, but they were not

stable before I tried the iron supplements, although they were not totally off

the charts unstable either.

You need to know if your BP rises on standing. And the low normal part points

towards needing aldosterone, or at least re-testing. Do you know what your level

was?

> It was probably a bad idea to up the T3, but I kind of feel like I am in a

weird holding pattern and my temps are soooo low. Do you think I should go back

down on the T3?

It WAS a bad idea to up T3 with high pulse and unstable temps. You can set

yourself back MONTHS by stressing your adrenals. You need that pulse normal and

your temps varying no more than .2 degrees from one day to the next to consider

an increase in T3.

> When my naturopath doc saw me for the first time a year ago I did flunk the

flashlight test. At that time I got dizzy when I stood up. I don't have that

sympton anymore, though, luckily. I still want to get another test, though

Glad you're getting another test. Any time your temps remain unstable on more

than 35-40 mgs HC, you should check aldosterone. I suspect you needed to DROP

your T3 dose before this last raise. Your HC dose is HIGH. Sounds like you were

already taking too much T3 and stressing your adrenal glands. You have to get

them well-supported first. Remember Val saying, " Slow and steady wins the race? "

I feel for you. I know TOO well it's no fun. --Irene

[Guest guest]

Thanks Irene,

This is all very frustrating. The strange thing is that since I upped the T3 my

pulse has gone down a little. This might be because of the iron supplementation,

I'm not sure.

I am one of these people that seems to need tons of HC for unknown reasons. I am

not sure if there is a virus going on, or what, but I just seem to need a lot. I

have checked my blood sugar and it is fine. I wish I could go down on it.

I might go down on the T3 today. Sigh.

I totally appreciate the advice. It is very helpful.

Thanks

Liz

> >

> > I am going to ask for another aldosterone test when I see my doc. Is serum

aldosterone a reliable test?

>

> Yes, as long as it's done correctly. You need to be lying down for 30 mintues

before the draw, OR standing for 2 hours. My doc did both tests, which was no

fun, since I had to walk around for 2 hours and return for the second blood

draw.

>

> > Isn't bioidentical aldosterone super expensive? I would rather try that than

the florinef.

> Yes, it's a lot more expensive. Shipping from Canada alone is $25. I'd use

Florinef if I could. My husband does.

>

> > I don't know if my blood pressure rises upon standing, but it is always

low-normal. My temps are hard to track, I have to admit, but they were not

stable before I tried the iron supplements, although they were not totally off

the charts unstable either.

>

> You need to know if your BP rises on standing. And the low normal part points

towards needing aldosterone, or at least re-testing. Do you know what your level

was?

>

> > It was probably a bad idea to up the T3, but I kind of feel like I am in a

weird holding pattern and my temps are soooo low. Do you think I should go back

down on the T3?

>

> It WAS a bad idea to up T3 with high pulse and unstable temps. You can set

yourself back MONTHS by stressing your adrenals. You need that pulse normal and

your temps varying no more than .2 degrees from one day to the next to consider

an increase in T3.

>

> > When my naturopath doc saw me for the first time a year ago I did flunk the

flashlight test. At that time I got dizzy when I stood up. I don't have that

sympton anymore, though, luckily. I still want to get another test, though

>

> Glad you're getting another test. Any time your temps remain unstable on more

than 35-40 mgs HC, you should check aldosterone. I suspect you needed to DROP

your T3 dose before this last raise. Your HC dose is HIGH. Sounds like you were

already taking too much T3 and stressing your adrenal glands. You have to get

them well-supported first. Remember Val saying, " Slow and steady wins the race? "

I feel for you. I know TOO well it's no fun. --Irene

>

[Guest guest]

>

>When aldosterone is low we just add Sodium. Right?

No, you have to add Florinef if it's too low

Nick

[Guest guest]

>This is all very frustrating. The strange thing is that since I upped the T3 my

pulse has gone down a little.

Often due to adrenal issues, hypo = more adrenaline = fast pulse.

Reduce the hypo and pulse reduces.

Nick

[Guest guest]

Wow, I didn't know we had to add Florinef! What is "too low" ? I ha an aldosterone in serum at 16 (range 5 - 77) in May, one month before I started taking HC and adding sea salt to my regime.What do you make out of that, Nick?

>

>When aldosterone is low we just add Sodium. Right?

No, you have to add Florinef if it's too low

[Guest guest]

Interesting. Thankyou. So then in my case is it better to stick with the higher

T3 and stress dose for a couple of days?

I actually do feel a little better since upping the dose.

Liz W

>

> >This is all very frustrating. The strange thing is that since I upped the T3

my pulse has gone down a little.

>

> Often due to adrenal issues, hypo = more adrenaline = fast pulse.

> Reduce the hypo and pulse reduces.

>

> Nick

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Irene

I actually convinced the nurse at my doc's office yesterday to take my bp

sitting, then standing. B.P. sitting was 100 over 70, standing it was 110 over

72. Is that normal?

My temp was 96.8! I haven't had that kind of temp in a long time!

Liz w

> >

> > I am going to ask for another aldosterone test when I see my doc. Is serum

aldosterone a reliable test?

>

> Yes, as long as it's done correctly. You need to be lying down for 30 mintues

before the draw, OR standing for 2 hours. My doc did both tests, which was no

fun, since I had to walk around for 2 hours and return for the second blood

draw.

>

> > Isn't bioidentical aldosterone super expensive? I would rather try that than

the florinef.

> Yes, it's a lot more expensive. Shipping from Canada alone is $25. I'd use

Florinef if I could. My husband does.

>

> > I don't know if my blood pressure rises upon standing, but it is always

low-normal. My temps are hard to track, I have to admit, but they were not

stable before I tried the iron supplements, although they were not totally off

the charts unstable either.

>

> You need to know if your BP rises on standing. And the low normal part points

towards needing aldosterone, or at least re-testing. Do you know what your level

was?

>

> > It was probably a bad idea to up the T3, but I kind of feel like I am in a

weird holding pattern and my temps are soooo low. Do you think I should go back

down on the T3?

>

> It WAS a bad idea to up T3 with high pulse and unstable temps. You can set

yourself back MONTHS by stressing your adrenals. You need that pulse normal and

your temps varying no more than .2 degrees from one day to the next to consider

an increase in T3.

>

> > When my naturopath doc saw me for the first time a year ago I did flunk the

flashlight test. At that time I got dizzy when I stood up. I don't have that

sympton anymore, though, luckily. I still want to get another test, though

>

> Glad you're getting another test. Any time your temps remain unstable on more

than 35-40 mgs HC, you should check aldosterone. I suspect you needed to DROP

your T3 dose before this last raise. Your HC dose is HIGH. Sounds like you were

already taking too much T3 and stressing your adrenal glands. You have to get

them well-supported first. Remember Val saying, " Slow and steady wins the race? "

I feel for you. I know TOO well it's no fun. --Irene

>

[Guest guest]

>Wow, I didn't know we had to add Florinef!

Only if there is a problem that needs it

>What is " too low " ? I ha an aldosterone in serum at 16 (range 5 - 77) in May,

one month before I started taking HC and adding sea salt to my regime.

>What do you make out of that, Nick?

Your sodium labs would be a problem if you needed it

Nick

[Guest guest]

My last sodium lab was almost at the bottom range for some reason. Should I worry?I am looking into taking RBC of all my electrolytes at the moment. I think it can be very important for an AF person on HC!

>Wow, I didn't know we had to add Florinef!

Only if there is a problem that needs it

>What is "too low" ? I ha an aldosterone in serum at 16 (range 5 - 77) in May, one month before I started taking HC and adding sea salt to my regime.

>What do you make out of that, Nick?

Your sodium labs would be a problem if you needed it

Nick

[Guest guest]

Irene,

I have a question for you,please.You said you could not tolerate the florinef

and started aldosterone.What were your problems with florinef,what symptoms you

got?

Also,can't you get bioidentical aldosterone from USA? I see many people get it

from Canada,why?

I read that your aldosterone level was 13 and Val said is worth taking

florinef,mine was 11 7 months ago. It's confusing because the result was shown

not with a low and high ranges but it showas is normal under 28.

Also,I have problem raising my T3 dose but still hypo.I can take the most 5omg

and I'm on 35mg nHC.What will the florinef will change for the adrenals to be

able to raise the T3?

Thanks

Milena

> >

> > I am going to ask for another aldosterone test when I see my doc. Is serum

aldosterone a reliable test?

>

> Yes, as long as it's done correctly. You need to be lying down for 30 mintues

before the draw, OR standing for 2 hours. My doc did both tests, which was no

fun, since I had to walk around for 2 hours and return for the second blood

draw.

>

> > Isn't bioidentical aldosterone super expensive? I would rather try that than

the florinef.

> Yes, it's a lot more expensive. Shipping from Canada alone is $25. I'd use

Florinef if I could. My husband does.

>

> > I don't know if my blood pressure rises upon standing, but it is always

low-normal. My temps are hard to track, I have to admit, but they were not

stable before I tried the iron supplements, although they were not totally off

the charts unstable either.

>

> You need to know if your BP rises on standing. And the low normal part points

towards needing aldosterone, or at least re-testing. Do you know what your level

was?

>

> > It was probably a bad idea to up the T3, but I kind of feel like I am in a

weird holding pattern and my temps are soooo low. Do you think I should go back

down on the T3?

>

> It WAS a bad idea to up T3 with high pulse and unstable temps. You can set

yourself back MONTHS by stressing your adrenals. You need that pulse normal and

your temps varying no more than .2 degrees from one day to the next to consider

an increase in T3.

>

> > When my naturopath doc saw me for the first time a year ago I did flunk the

flashlight test. At that time I got dizzy when I stood up. I don't have that

sympton anymore, though, luckily. I still want to get another test, though

>

> Glad you're getting another test. Any time your temps remain unstable on more

than 35-40 mgs HC, you should check aldosterone. I suspect you needed to DROP

your T3 dose before this last raise. Your HC dose is HIGH. Sounds like you were

already taking too much T3 and stressing your adrenal glands. You have to get

them well-supported first. Remember Val saying, " Slow and steady wins the race? "

I feel for you. I know TOO well it's no fun. --Irene

>