Is anyone able to help with blood results?

[wineosaurus4]

Hello, I’ve recently had a fair amount of blood tests done along with an ECG due to weight loss and potential eating disorder. I did have a thread recently that goes into more detail but I’m unsure how to link it here - sorry.

I have a telephone appointment with the GP tomorrow to go over the results, but honestly I’m unsure what I should be asking or looking out for. Fatigue and hair loss are my main symptoms which from what I understand could be linked to low iron, is that right? And if so I believe there is quite a range of ‘normal’ for this but what is the ideal number I should be looking for here? I don’t want the GP to simply say results are all within normal range (even if less than ideal) and that be that. I will definitely request a copy of the blood results but I’m not sure the protocol around that. I’m in Scotland so we don’t have the NHS app that is available in England unfortunately.

If anyone is kindly able to advise I would really appreciate it, thank you in advance

I had these symptoms and eventually was diagnosed with vitamin B12 deficiency. I had 6 x B12 injections in 2 weeks and felt amazing but the standard treatment is then one injection every 12 weeks and I felt back to square one so pushed for more regular jabs and now get them every 4 weeks. My level at diagnosis was 109.
Good luck, I hope you get to the bottom of what is causing your symptoms and it is easily treated.

Agree with pp. Ask about B12.
I would just make sure you explain that you want a detailed analysis of your bloods, not just "it's within normal range". My iron was within normal range, but it was literally 1 above the cut off 🙄
If anything is flagged ask her what the normal levels are vs what yours are. This will give you the answers you're looking for.
Sounds like either B12, iron, or some other deficiency. It would be impossible to guess. My wife was struggling a few months ago with various symptoms and turns out she is potassium deficient, not very common at all.

ask for your ferritin number
it needs to be up over 70 for hair growth but you’ll be told it’s fine at 15-20

Thanks so much for the replies, all really helpful! I want to feel confident asking the right questions as I have a tendency to just nod and say thank you then come away wondering what it all means

You can get the NHS app and ask for a
copy of your results on that - they show them with the normal
ranges and highlight those that are out of the normal range - good luck!

OP has explained that they are in Scotland and do not have NHS app.

I second the closer look at the ferritin number. Anything under 40/50 could leave you feeling crappy, and like PP said, 70 is the ideal level gor new hair growth.

I’d also ask for your HB/haemoglobin level. You can be iron anemic and still have a good red blood cell count, so it’s good to have the distinction.

I have fatigue and hair loss OP and my ferritin came back at 12. All other bloods generally fine. My GP said they were fine because over 12 is ‘normal’, but everything I read online suggested otherwise and I asked for a second opinion. Surprise surprise it’s definitely low and I’m now on iron tablets.
It takes a long time to build back up again so the sooner you know and can start dealing with it the better!

@CdocSorry to hear you feel similar. That’s what I want to avoid happening as I’ve heard a few stories like this! Did you just ask the GP if they could get a second opinion? I feel like mine are so blunt and unwilling to do anymore than they have to, especially the reception staff don’t get me started on them! Make you feel like such a nuisance.

@MissKittyFantastico84 Thank you - I’ll ask re haemoglobin level too.

So my ferritin level is 27 - not great right? I am able to pick up a copy of my blood results from the surgery this afternoon so I will definitely do that.

She said my haemoglobin levels weren’t tested, apparently it was a trainee doctor I saw initially so apologised as this test should’ve been ordered. She has ordered further blood tests as there were a few things not tested that should have been. She was very kind and supportive. She wanted to send a referral to the eating disorder clinic and psychologist so I have agreed to that, feeling pretty scared at the prospect but I guess I need to start somewhere!