Opinions on my Blood Results

[LouiseMack]

I've had various health issues over the last few years and am also a cancer survivor having had pelvic radiotherapy. I been experiencing some bowel issues and am being investigated by Gastroenterology. To be honest I've had enough of feeling like a bag of shit and feel like I go round in circles trying to work out stuff on my own. I wondered whether you wise mumsnetters might be able to give me your opinion on some of my recent blood results. (I know I should speak to qualified medics but they are hard to come by!)

Vitamin D 52 (range 50-350)
B12 234 (range 180-640)
Serum Folate 4.7 (range 3-20)
Ferritin 8 (range 15-200)
Iron 11 (range 8.8-27)
Transferrin 3 (range 1.9-3.8)
Transferrin Saturation 15%
(range 16%-45%)
TIBC 75.3 (range 45-70)
UIBC 63.8 (range 20-62)
Gastro consultant has said no supplements are required.
I don't really understand all the iron results. Can anyone explain? For info, my Haemoglobin was in range nicely. I do have coeliac disease which is well controlled on a GF diet.

Thank you all.

Your ferratin is low. That is absolute iron deficiency.
Your vit D is also on the low side. Onl just inside that now normal range. Due to my own health issue I've come to learn that in range does not mean optimal. In ur case they are in range but you would benefit from some.iron supplements and vit D. Especially iron because of your ferratin.

Lots of those results are far too low.

Ferritin is the iron storage protein, so you don't have much in storage.

The Iron reading isn't too important as that can vary all the time, it's the iron present in Haemoglobin. It will alter if you eat meat at your next meal, for example.

Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) is a measure of the ability of your body to efficiently carry iron through the blood - yours is high which can indicate iron deficiency. With such a low ferritin, I'd say that's spot on.

Transferrin saturation - transferrin is made in the liver and is the major protein in the blood which binds to iron and transports it round the body. Again that's low due to iron deficiency.

Unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC) represents the portion of iron binding sites on transferrin that are not occupied by iron. Yours is just over the top of the range, again due to iron deficiency.

Your folate is very low, largely because your B12 is rather low too.

Overall those results are shouting deficiency, maybe as you are celiac it's because you aren't absorbing your nutrients very well.

Thank you will give Spatone a go as can't tolerate the ferrous????, whatever it's called that GP's give out. Unless anyone has any other recommendations for iron that doesn't cause stomach cramping.

Try Three Arrows Iron Repair, it's easier to digest.

Thank you crunchy carrot. It's difficult as I've been diagnosed with microscopic colitis and I have a very restricted diet to try and control diarrhea. I just don't understand why the Gastro Consultant has written to me saying I don't need any supplements when I feel unwell. I thought maybe it was because my iron was in range. They seem very dismissive of iron deficiency.

I'll look into Three Arrows

Many doctors don't put much or any importance on nutrients, they simply don't cover them in much detail during their studies.

'You are what you eat' should really be 'You are what you digest'.

Sorry you are suffering with that complaint. I myself am having a long bout of diarrhoea and am hoping to get to the bottom of it, excuse the pun! My GP wonders if I may have IBD, am awaiting a scan. I am also on a very bland diet, self-imposed. No-one has told me it might help but I figure I need to help myself at this point. I do know constant diarrhoea means your food is going right through you. The proof is your blood tests.

There's a big difference between the normal range and optimal results. Yours are certainly not optimal. Sadly many of us with chronic disease have to figure out a lot for ourselves, and all whilst we are feeling unwell!

Hang in there, do you have any online communities you can join to get support and share tips? It can be very helpful.

You can also try an iron spray - I think Better You do one. I would definitely try the vitD spray as that worked wonders for me (get the one with vitk combined) and the vitB spray as you have more chance of absorbing it.

I also have absorption issues.

www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/betteryou-vitamin-d-k2-spray-12ml-60017826 this is the one that I found worked best

Thanks Crunchy and ToughTitty. I did type something long out but lost it! I will try that Vitamin D spray you suggested and hopefully with the iron things will improve and I'll feel like new again! OK slight exaggeration but actually have some energy would be good.

I honestly do better on x2 Spatone with vit c than 3 arrows. Only one that doesn't upset my stomach. If I follow the instructions on the box it raises ferritin v quickly