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Original poster

GP says my routine bloods are normal. Really?

134 replies

NotSoIronMan · 25/01/2024 06:39

Their guide was that Ferratin levels should be between 15 and 300. Mine were 36.
My serum folate was 3.3 (should range between 2 to 9000).
My b12 was 147 (should be between 120-900)
My vitamin D was 47 (should be 50+).

He said it was satisfactory with no further action, but I could take iron tablets if I wanted to.

I have felt very low in mood and with brain fog etc and he said this is unlikely to be why.
I’m 28.

Surely it’s a bit worrying still?

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reflecting2023 · 10/10/2024 20:49

Well it is black and white if the result falls in the normal for that lab / analyser actually

reflecting2023 · 10/10/2024 20:48

Oh zombie thread

reflecting2023 · 10/10/2024 20:47

I mean the GP said take iron if you want to. Folate range doesn't look right to me ?? They vary by lab and changed a little while back - Did you get that range from your own results??
But D is very slightly borderline
B12 normal
None of it is worrying

Aussieland · 10/10/2024 20:04

Vegetus · 25/01/2024 07:08

The NHS reference range for blood markers is so wide and in my opinion designed to put up the shutters to treatment for a lot of people.

Go and get private blood work done if you can afford to do so.

The results aren’t going to be different by going private. The intervention may be (whether it is warranted or not)

Gwenhwyfar · 10/10/2024 20:01

reflecting2023 · 27/01/2024 04:06

Right well that makes perfect sense !
Interesting perspectives on the thread.
Of the bloods are in range, they really are in range- can be rechecked after a few months but the range is there for a reason.
A private dermatologist who can't even prescribe- great.

Show quote history

Different places have different ranges though so it's not black and white.

Gwenhwyfar · 10/10/2024 19:43

AllFunAndGamesUntilYoureRunningForTheLastTrain · 25/01/2024 06:44

Did they do thyroid blood tests?
Are you vegetarian/vegan?
You probably would feel mikes better boosting everything tbh but GPs are very good at just sticking to the ‘normal/satisfactory’ line even if almost within labs reference ranges, rather than symptoms.
Vitamin D is ‘normal’ at 50 but needs to be 75 for bone protection.
I feel your frustration, nearly 20 years of battling with ‘satisfactory’ levels and feeling awful, taking high strength everything and just can’t get my numbers up and can’t get anyone to care!

I've just had mine tested and the lab range started at 30. I was 32 so don't count as low. I will take supplements anyway of course as we are all told to do in the winter.

ohno2024 · 23/07/2024 14:51

Suddha · 25/01/2024 06:42

The NHS is useless. Yes you need supplements. You’re low enough to feel shit.

I guess it's the difference between what's an actual medical issue and more borderline lifestyle choice

watermelonsugarmum · 22/07/2024 12:44

@NotSoIronMan Hi a bit late to the thread but where did you get your Reverse T3 tested ? Was it on the NHS ?

Itisnearlyspring · 28/01/2024 06:46

@lljkk these are the reference ranges in my latest nhs vit d test. There is no mention of optimum, over 50 is deemed sufficient and over 250 possible toxicity.

GP says my routine bloods are normal. Really?
lljkk · 27/01/2024 22:20

Are these the NHS guideline values for vit D?
Serum concentration of 25-OH D (total vitamin D)

  • <25 nmol/L – DEFICIENT
  • 25-50 nmol/L – INSUFFICIENT
  • 50-75 nmol/L – ADEQUATE
  • >75 nmol/L – OPTIMUM

Is Vit D recommended blood concentration from NHS really so different in 'many' other countries?

GP says my routine bloods are normal. Really?
RaccoonOnTheSofa · 27/01/2024 17:40

ChedderGorgeous · 27/01/2024 17:25

I would trust Dr Mumsnet much more than a qualified GP. Agree with you.

I don’t think that’s the situation, sometimes you’re so into it you need someone else to say - you’re not crazy, keep pushing to get the support you need or not.

ChedderGorgeous · 27/01/2024 17:25

I would trust Dr Mumsnet much more than a qualified GP. Agree with you.

Suddha · 27/01/2024 17:21

Yes exactly! Blood tests are clear so you get told to go away. So many other things your pain could be - Lyme disease, crumbling spine, MS, etc. But your bloods are clear so it must be anxiety, off you go without an MRI.

RaccoonOnTheSofa · 27/01/2024 15:25

reflecting2023 · 27/01/2024 10:29

I understand that, but that could be for a variety of reasons. Some might need further investigation and looking at other things abd taking the whole picture into consideration

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But the issue is many GPs don’t do further investigation. Mine haven’t. They said the blood tests show nothing so case closed and basically accused me of it all being in my head. It’s not, I have felt unwell for a long time. They don’t give a shit. I love the NHS and there are many hardworking and wonderful people within it, but the system is broken and there are a lot of unwell people who aren’t getting the support they need at all.

reflecting2023 · 27/01/2024 11:34

NotSoIronMan · 25/01/2024 06:39

Their guide was that Ferratin levels should be between 15 and 300. Mine were 36.
My serum folate was 3.3 (should range between 2 to 9000).
My b12 was 147 (should be between 120-900)
My vitamin D was 47 (should be 50+).

He said it was satisfactory with no further action, but I could take iron tablets if I wanted to.

I have felt very low in mood and with brain fog etc and he said this is unlikely to be why.
I’m 28.

Surely it’s a bit worrying still?

Folate normal. Are you sure upper limit is 9000? Not that it matters but usually people on supplements often have >2000 but it's usually due to poor diet so usually continue them lifelong esp on elderly or with background disease

  • think that B12 level might be an intermediate level but will have to check when back in work
reflecting2023 · 27/01/2024 11:01

Folate is largely diet related so easy to keep normal level

reflecting2023 · 27/01/2024 11:00

For me personally, if ferritin levels were lower normal and lower limit serum iron, and there had been previously abnormal low levels I wouldn't be against someone taking iron supplements at low level to keep it in normal range,in the context of a woman of child bearing age and no red flags. Maybe a low dose daily or a week a month.

Oblomov23 · 27/01/2024 10:59

Reminds self to chase GP about mine. Consultant said folate was low and I told GP this, but no action. Plus I wonder what else was low?

2Rebecca · 27/01/2024 10:53

If you want to take vit D iron and folate supplements just buy them or change your diet

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 27/01/2024 10:49

Are you currently taking any supplements at all?

Hiwhoeveryyouare · 27/01/2024 10:46

It is interesting to me that these do seem to be largely women who are struggling with low levels of iron/D, which is obviously because we menstruate. If half of the men you knew regularly had to buy supplements every month to stay awake and not get depressed, do we not think the NHS might consider doing something about it?

reflecting2023 · 27/01/2024 10:31

I agree I wouldn't want my B12 at lower limit if normal, or vit D I'd probably take supplements

reflecting2023 · 27/01/2024 10:29

Suddha · 27/01/2024 09:45

@reflecting2023 lots of people feel unwell at levels the NHS regards as “normal”, me included 🤷‍♀️

I understand that, but that could be for a variety of reasons. Some might need further investigation and looking at other things abd taking the whole picture into consideration

reflecting2023 · 27/01/2024 10:27

And vit D has a normal and a borderline range.
I just get fed up of people making such inaccurate statements because they've decided to have an opinion which isn't based on any reality.
Another thing to consider is

  • some ' abnormal' results are of no clinical significance ( some of the fbc results) and don't need to be acted on
Suddha · 27/01/2024 09:45

@reflecting2023 lots of people feel unwell at levels the NHS regards as “normal”, me included 🤷‍♀️