Arsed off with doctors ignoring blood results

[Outsidetheclickclack]

…because they are “just out of range” - therefore don’t need actioning

At some point, I presume some very clever people got in a room and decided the “normal” range for every blood test conceivable. So why is it ok for a doctor to look at results outside of the range and say “don’t worry about it”, “it’s only just outside”, Presumably the clever people have already agreed what is normal and what isn’t? So why does Dr Smith get to decide it’s actually ok and doesn’t need any follow up or treatment because it’s “nearly there”

Yeah it's a big problem. What blood test is it?

If it fits with the symptoms, such as if white blood count is raised when you have been prescribed abs for an infection then, there is probably little to investigate until that period has passed.

I have a disease that can be diagnosed on blood tests alone. However different trusts are increasing the ranges for these blood tests which means some people will never be diagnosed now and will suffer heart attacks, kidney failure or strokes as a consequence😢

Ferritin 17 (should be 30-200)

Transferrin saturation 14% (should be 20 - 40)

Phosphate 0.7 (should be 0.8 - 1.5)

Haematocrit 0.35 (should be 0.37 - 0.47)

But “because Haemoglobin is 121 all of the above can be ignored” / “not clinically significant”

Your ferritin is very low.

Sorry, stating the obvious.

This the tests were only undertaken to investigate any metabolic/bone issues after multiple unprovoked stress fractures

But they aren’t important !

Not stating the obvious at all, exactly what I said to the GP.

”well that’s very common in menstruating women”

Oh well if it’s common let’s just fucking ignore it then ?!

I take ferrous fumerate that I buy online (from a chemist!) with vitamin C. Would start on that definitely every other day
it’s got my ferritin up but not my iron saturation yet

I agree, what's the bloody point of having ranges if they just ignore them! I've been monitored for years for thyroid function (I have another condition which makes me more likely to develop Hashimoto's), with my TSH getting steadily higher and higher. When it got out of range, I thought they'd finally do something about it - nope, not out of range 'enough'! bangs head
You need to be working on getting your ferritin up for sure, my DDs GP told her to aim for 50 to feel 'well' even though 30 is in range (hers was <5 - 'a bit low'!)

I had very similar results. Put myself on ferrous fumerate and feeling much better, granted, it's take about 3 years... If you're a women of below about 50,low ferritin is completely ignored,but can be so debilitating. My hair was falling out my skins was terrible and my nails were like paper. Guess what? All gone away!

Same, it was only when my T4 dropped low that something happened
I actually changed doctors and previously my TSH has been 4+ (on meds) and my old GP said fine. New GP rang me and wanted to increase my levo and my TSH is now 1.2

My Ferritin is 12, despite taking iron supplements for the last 6 years.

GP isn’t bothered though as “menstruating women tend to have lower ferritin levels and everything else appears to be ok and just within range.”

Apparently the fact that I am totally exhausted and feel like death every day isn’t relevant.

You need to be referred for a dexa scan in my wholly unclinical opinion.

Said simply as someone who has rank osteoporosis.

If you have any money ask for a referral to physician with an interest in endocrine/auto-immune. Worth every penny. They can review and write to GP with a treatment/management plan.

Your ferritin is significantly low. Correct that with iron and it is highly likely that the transferrin saturation and haematocrit will move into the normal range. The phosphate is slightly low. One of the commonest reasons for that in northern Europe is low vitamin D levels. Do you take a vitamin D supplement? Because frankly everyone in the UK should.

Oh god this is bittersweet, I'm glad I'm not alone but also furious there are so many others going through this too. I have to badger my GP (different one every time) to please look at the latest result in context with all the other results. Apparently the fact I have microcytic anemia isn't a problem because they've tested for and ruled out celiac. Had to research myself and buy iron supplements (ferrous fumerate) to treat my anemia to stop the heart palpitations. Knackered all the time. But that's just life as a woman I guess? 😬

Well, your ferritin certainly shouldn't be ignored, it's far too low (should be at the very least 70 but better at around 100). Honestly GPs drive me nuts on these types of issues. You can tell I'm a thyroid patient!

Op the disease I have also causes osteoporosis. Severe in my case. It also causes low phosphate and my ferritin has been low at times too. Please look up Primary Hyperparathyroidism and ask for a bone profile blood test especially in light of your fractures and ask for magnesium and parathyroid hormone to be checked too from the one blood draw.

Mine is 10, but as I have fibroids they say that's ok, despite exhaustion and other symptoms.
I once read an article saying it would be better if docs looked at an individual's results regularly, and then reacted if something changed significantly for that individual (just as if you have an athlete who suddenly can't jog down the street, that's more significant than for someone who never runs), but I guess with the NHS as it is, that won't happen.

If I makes anyone feel less discriminated against my DH has ferritin of 18 as well as fatigue, dizziness, anxiety etc and they just told him to go away and come back in a month if he still felt bad. He’s had to go off sick from work because he’s so unwell… so it’s not just women being fobbed off

My surgery's range for "perfectly fine" ferritin is 15 and above! Mine was 11, I felt horrendous and my hair was coming out. It rose to 21 and apparently that's perfectly fine. I take my own tablets now. My phosphate is also 0.7, that's also fine apparently.

Think what he probably meant was it naturally briefly dips depending where you are in your cycle

Has he started on iron tablets? Make sure to take them with vitamin C for absorption

I shouldn't say this but I'm relieved to see I'm not the only one being ignored. DH is fed up of finding clumps of my hair on the carpet, I'm exhausted all the time - my ferritin level is 7, I've been taking iron tablets for over 6 months and it's not changed. My g.p says it's fine because my haemoglobin is just about in ok range. It's so frustrating. I hope you can get it sorted OP.

Well I had a TAH 10 years ago so that wouldn’t be why my ferritin was low!!

OP and most PPs, same experience here stretching back over 15+ years and probably more than 20. Continually dismissed with levels just within ranges set very low. It's shocking.

@rwalker low ferritin isn't a problem caused by a brief dip during the menstrual cycle. It is far too easily dismissed as a problem caused by periods.