Bloodwork results from lab Summer 2014

[VitaminB12]

July 24, 2014 8 am (bus to lab)

TSH 5.95
Reference range 0.35 – 5.00 miU/L


Free T4 13
Reference range 12 – 22 pmol/L


Free T3 4
Reference range 2.6 – 5.7 pmol/L


Vitamin B12 746
Reference range >220 pmol/L


Ferretin/iron 37
Reference ranges 31 – 79  ug/L reduced iron stores, 80 – 300 ug/L normal iron stores

I found out recently that I having been drinking too much water given the high water content in my diet (plenty of vegetables and fruit). The symptoms I attribute to hypothyroidism are also symptoms of too much water. See my other post entitled Drinking too much water? I wonder if too much water is the reason I don't have enough iron in my system or if I have an absorption issue. I went to a talk about water by a medical professional at my local natural health store a while ago.  

[VitaminB12]

I have decided to keep my September 30 appointment with the doctor re: iron/ferretin levels. I see the specialist re: tendinitis on October 8.

[VitaminB12]

I talked with staff at the doctor's office this morning by phone. They didn't know the answer to my question. Then I called the lab and they said it is up to the doctor to order what he thinks is necessary. I don't have an appointment to discuss my ferretin/iron concern until September 30 through pre-booking. Otherwise I have to call in the same day and hope he is available when I am around my work schedule and his limited hours. This delay will allow me to experiment with increasing my intake of foods rich in iron such as lentils for 1 month before I request further bloodwork. Perhaps if I don't have an absorption issue my levels will increase slightly? The other option is to call in next week for a same day appointment and request an iron panel now and cancel Sept. 30 What do you think is the best course of action given the circumstances. Here are the dates for reduced iron stores (low ferretin) results: Dec. 9, 2013 and July 24, 2014.

[VitaminB12]

Thanks for your post. I'm playing phone tag with the doctor's office. My call was returned on my home line when I was at work today and the office is now closed. So I have to call back tomorrow morning if I remember as tomorrow afternoon I have an out of town appointment. And the doctor's office is closed Friday afternoon.

[Barb135]

Good that you've found more options.

Did you ever hear back about the iron panel?  Hope you will get it.

[VitaminB12]

I just found another brand of yogurt made in my province that is 4% and available in a store I have been going to occasionally not far from home on foot. Store has more limited hours though. So I now have a couple options if I wish to eat full fat plain yogurt.

I called the doctor's office to ask if an iron panel would be covered by government health insurance for a patient with reduced iron stores (ferretin result). I am waiting for a return call.

[VitaminB12]

Thank you for your post. The particular brand of plain yogurt I like that is available in 3.8% MF is only stocked in one of the grocery stores I frequent and it's a further walk from home. It is made in the Canadian province in which I live. The other brands I have eaten only seem to be available in nonfat or 2% and they are also Canadian, but come from other provinces. I got away from eating cottage cheese.