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Original poster

When Blood tests come back normal and you still feel ill

30 replies

witch000 · 19/04/2012 10:56

What's next ?

Have been feeling tired,exhausted,my joints ache all the time and feeling sick.

But just got my blood tests back and there's nothing wrong.

OP posts:

magso · 19/04/2012 11:22

That seems a common tale! Its so frustrating isn't it? What to do next? -It depends what tests were done and what has now been ruled out. I suppose you and the GP go on looking. It may mean more specialised blood tests or referring on. In the mean time try to do what your body is telling you to do ( rest).It could be all sorts of things and really your Dr is the one to speak to - again. Could you be Vit D deficient ( many of us are by the end of winter in the UK)? GP can test blood to check but it is not a standard test. Hope you feel better soon.

Original poster

witch000 · 19/04/2012 11:30

Thanks magso.

They did a full blood count, tests for diabetes,uric test ?,Rheumatoid arthritis and a test for viruses.

I was so hoping I just needed a boost of iron or something.

OP posts:

AttilaTheMeerkat · 19/04/2012 13:51

Did they test your thyroid levels?.

RockinD · 19/04/2012 19:59

Be aware of the difference between 'normal' ie within the lab's reference range and 'optimal' ie at the right point in the range.

For example the range for ferritin in women is something like 15-150. I was told my level was 'normal' when it was 16 ie just inside the reference range. Thank God for the consultant who said 'You must be feeling awful' (I was) and immediately referred me for treatment.

You can ask the surgery for a copy of the results, with the reference ranges, and do your own research. A lot of us have had to do this, which says something about the state of the NHS.

Original poster

witch000 · 19/04/2012 20:12

Yes they did my thyroid AttilaTheMeercat.

Interesting RockinD,I will ask for the results tomorrow so i can have a closer look.Thank you. :)

OP posts:

lovechoc · 20/04/2012 15:39

I could have started the same thread, OP. I got my blood results back yesterday - 'normal'. But I'm not feeling well, haven't for months now. I sympathise with you. Similar symptoms to yourself...

I've booked another GP appointment for next week and will keep going back until I get answers...

lovechoc · 20/04/2012 15:40

Ha, my ferratin level I was told over the phone (I had to ask) was 9!!! I am very pissed off, because I went online to do some research of the reference range and apparently it falls somewhere between 18 and 160 for women. Surely this cannot be right??

Original poster

witch000 · 20/04/2012 19:40

Hello lovechoc ,

Sorry you feel ill too.I haven't got ferratin on my blood results,
what that test for ?

I now have anti inflammatory tablets to take for a month ,then have too go back if no better.

OP posts:

RockinD · 21/04/2012 16:32

So, if your ferritin level is 9, your iron stores are very very low. If there is a call on the iron that is going round in your blood for any reasons, then your iron stores will be needed and you will then be extremely anaemic. This is a bad thing.

If your GP is not going to play ball, you need to find yourself an iron supplement. Of the tablets, ferrous fumarate is probably the easiest to stomach. It's available over the counter - start with one a day and gradually work up to three. Other supplements may not be as effective - it basically depends how good you are at absorbing through the gut.

After trying most of the oral supplements, I am now on transdermal iron which I spray on and rub into my leg. It's incredibly messy, but at last my levels are above 70, where they should be.

IDismyname · 21/04/2012 16:37

Witch - its not an allergy to something, is it? Those symptoms are very similar to the ones I had a few months ago. I had an allergy test done, and now have to avoid eggs and dairy products (and a few other things like brazil nuts and peppers)
I feel much better, now...

If the blood tests don't show anything, maybe worth a try?

mercibucket · 21/04/2012 19:43

Did you check all the results against the reference ranges? Does it have tsh and t4? What was the tsh?
If you still feel rubbish, go back and ask for further investigations and write down all your symptoms before you go
Do you take supplements already? Agree that vit d could be low, also iron, b12, magnesium, could all be worth supplementing
Don't be fobbed off
Really interested to know the tsh though + t4 if you have it

lovechoc · 22/04/2012 09:15

My TSH was 5.39 (so I'm just 'borderline'). I've accepted that as it's always been the case and they are reluctant to up my dose of thyroxine. It's been at 25mcg for as long now...

Yes, I'm going back to GP to explain my symptoms (yet again). I am sure I'll sound like a broken down record player but I don't care. I'm needing help here, not feeling well at all. have been really shaky and losing my temper easily. It's not normal to behave this way.

lovechoc · 22/04/2012 09:16

AFAIK ferritin acts as a 'buffer' if you like, so it releases small amounts of iron at a time when the levels of iron are running low. My 'buffer' needs to be 'rebuffed' I think...

mercibucket · 22/04/2012 09:51

Lovechoc, have you ever looked into tsh levels? So you are already being treated with levo? At 25 mg (which is the starting dose for the elderly or those with heart probs btw)? Why on earth hasn't your gp increased your levo til your symptoms disappear, which will probably be when your tsh is around 1
You are, on the face of it, chronically undermedicated and hypothyroid. Your body is low in ferritin because you are hypothyroid. You are tired and feel awful because you are hypothyroid
What is your doctor playing at?
Sorry - perhaps there is a reason why you arer only on 25, do you know your t4 levels?
Oh this makes me so cross!!!

mercibucket · 22/04/2012 09:55

Sorry - forgot - get vt d, b1e, folates tested too.w when hypo, your body doesn't work properly and you can end up with lots of deficiencies

lovechoc · 22/04/2012 12:01

no idea what my T4 levels are, it's funny because when I enquired about my 'thyroid levels' they only give TSH level over the phone. Strange that...

I personally don't believe it's just my thyroid causing me all this grief though. I've been on a higher dose (when I was originally diagnosed in '05 I started on 75mcg/daily, but since then it dropped to 50 mcg/daily and for the past 3 or 4 years it's been 25mcg/daily). Ah you see, when you have an autoimmune disorder, like Hashimoto's, you sometimes are referred to as 'subclinical hypothyroid'. And so, because of this, I have the symptoms but my TSH levels don't reflect that so I'm told it's not the full blown illness (but unfortunately I do have all the symptoms and they won't do anything about it by increasing my dose).

lovechoc · 22/04/2012 12:02

I started on levothyroxine in June 2005.

lovechoc · 22/04/2012 12:04

I'm in a bit of a sticky wicket to be honest, because they only look at the blood results and they want hard evidence. It's not stacking up for medical staff because they see 'normal' blood results yet I have all the symptoms. Who would you believe?!

mercibucket · 22/04/2012 12:14

I would never ever ever believe my gp unless I had proof they knew what they were talking about!
Is your tsh now over 5?
Are you on 25mg?
Have they even tested your t4 or t3?
Your gp doesn't understand! They are not supposed to get your tsh within 'normal range' ie anything between 0.5 and 5 (ish depends on lab)!!! They are supposed to get your tsh to a level where your symptoms go away!!!
Sorry for all the ! But this makes me cross. When you are adequately treated, you will be furious when you see how long you have suffered unnecessarily
Have you been referred to a consultant or is this just your gp? Do not suffer another day unnecessarily. Please see your gp and insist thery get your tsh down to under 2 at least. If they won't, change gp
You can get a lot of info online eg thyroid uk

Groovee · 22/04/2012 12:16

I felt like this for years. Bloods were always fine. In the end it was fibromyalgia which was diagnosed. Patient.co.uk is good for advice

mercibucket · 22/04/2012 12:18

Btw why don't you think itks your thyroid? I didn't feel well til mine was 0.5. This is quite normal

dreamingbohemian · 22/04/2012 12:21

OP, I had symptoms like yours for a long time and it turned out it was low blood pressure. I didn't find out until I went to a new doctor -- he took my blood pressure while lying down and then immediately when I stood up (do you get dizzy?) and there was a really sharp fall. He put me on meds and within an hour it was like I'd gotten my life back.

This may not be what's causing your problems, but just to show that blood tests don't show everything. And you need a GP who is willing to really investigate everything, not just rely on blood tests.

Hope you feel better soon!

mercibucket · 22/04/2012 12:38

Sorry, op, to crash your thread!
And sorry, lovechoc, if I seem tetchy :-) think I am projecting my anger with my gp at your gp! Lol will go lie down and take a chill pill now

mercibucket · 22/04/2012 12:38

Sorry, op, to crash your thread!
And sorry, lovechoc, if I seem tetchy :-) think I am projecting my anger with my gp at your gp! Lol will go lie down and take a chill pill now

lovechoc · 22/04/2012 14:16

Groovee I'm sorry you've hit that road :( I worry that this is what I may have.

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