to think doctor is wrong

[twentytwentyy1]

After a long period of feeling unwell, I had my bloods taken for test and after looking at the print out of results, i'm wondering if they really are 'Normal' as doctor insists.

So of course i'm no doctor, I don't know exactly how to read results, but i'm wondering if the following results are a bit off, despite being told they are 'normal'. I am in my early thirties.

This is the result and the printed text/range next to it.

'Ferritin serum: 7.1 ng/ml.

(Range for Pre-menopausal women 10-204 ng/ml.

The testosterone level IS within normal levels though.

0.6 is between 0.12 and 1.78, in fact its at the higher end!

But... but. 0.12 is much smaller than 0.6 so the testosterone level is well within normal range.

Your ferritin is a bit low.

The testosterone level is completely within the range. The ferritin I would maybe ask why they’ve said it’s normal when it’s outside of the range.

So the testosterone is within the normal range. 0.6 is between 0.12 and 1.78.

I don't know enough about iron deficiency to comment on the other test.

0.6 is five times 0.12. The testosterone level is well within normal range. The ferritin (marker for iron stores) is a bit low.

You're right. You're not a doctor and you don't know how to read the results.

Disclaimer, I'm not a medical professional. But the ferritin levels do seem to be below normal range based on the text you've pasted here. Speaking from experience, I feel pretty rubbish when my ferritin is just a little below normal range, so it would be worth calling back and querying/asking for iron supplements.

Your testosterone is in the normal range, but ferritin is low which I would discuss with your doctor or buy some iron tablets

Could you just start taking an OTC iron supplement?

Your testosterone is normal. Your ferritin is low.
Having a low ferritin can sometimes make you anaemic. Even if you're not anaemic it can indicate a lack of iron in your diet or blood loss from somewhere and can make you feel rubbish.
I 'm a Dr and would want a little further questioning around that ferritin if not already done.

zero point one two and zero point “twelve” are the same thing, and lower than 0.6

Your testosterone is normal, but your ferritin is low

Your ferritin is a bit low, but you're not understanding decimals correctly:

zero point twelve and zero point one two are exactly the same thing, just a reading out the number 12 as "one two" or "twelve" doesn't suddenly change the fact of the number.

0.12 is zero whole units, 1 tenth of a unit and 2 hundredths of a unit.
0.6 is zero whole units and 6 tenths of a unit, so considerably more.

If it makes it easier to understand, just whack a zero as a placeholder after the 6:

0.12 is smaller than 0.60

Testosterone normal.
Ferritin low, try taking an iron supplement or upping your spinach?

@calmearth

You're right. You're not a doctor and you don't know how to read the results.

This. You can’t even count, so are in no position to be questioning the doctor’s skills.

Ferritin is low however you can have low ferritin without being anaemic. Ferritin is like iron stores. However from personal experience (my ferritin was 4) it made me feel HORRIFIC. I was put on iron tablets

My ferritin went down to 2 a few years ago - still only treated with iron tablets; discuss it with your GP.

You don’t know that 0.12 is lower than 0.6? If you consider that 0.12 is zero point twelve then 0.6 is zero point sixty. I can’t believe an adult would need this explained.

the 0.6 comes after 0.12? But then again I don't know if it actually comes before, i'm wondering if the range starting at 0.12 is zero point twelve, or zero point ONE two. If that makes sense
Zero point 12 IS zero point one two. But the 2 it worth less than the one so it's 0.1, 0.11, 0.12... 0.19, 0.2, 0.21....0.29, 0.3. the added zeros are implied. So 0.1 is really 0.1000000000000000etc and 0.1200000000000000etc and 0.600000000000000etc.

So the range is from 0.12000000000000 but you got 0.6000000000000

Testosterone: 0.6 nmol/L.
Adult female: 0.12 - 1.78 nmol/L.'

Testosterone Is fine, but your iron levels are a bit low. Either ask for an iron prescription or pick some over the counter iron tablets up

@user1471442488

You don’t know that 0.12 is lower than 0.6? If you consider that 0.12 is zero point twelve then 0.6 is zero point sixty. I can’t believe an adult would need this explained.

No need to be a dick, some people do struggle with numbers.

🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

You don’t understand decimal places but think you can read the results better than the doctor? Ok then

YABU

Hahaha Numeracy was never my strongest point.
I think I get it now thanks to those of you who explained.

Good to know my Testosterone is in fact a fine level.

Interesting that the Ferritin is low. I will see that I speak to my GP further about this, I do have symptoms of low iron, tiredness etc.

No need to be a dick, some people do struggle with numbers

Maybe not doctors though.