Hello,
I just posted my new results on the thyroid cancer board and I want to post them here, too. You have all been very helpful to me, and I sincerely appreciate it. It looks better than 1 month ago. I did use a different lab, one closer to home, because I wasn't feeling great. I know I should use the same one every time. I will post what was flagged as high or low last time. My old HGB was 11.6 {11.9-15.9} my new HGB, 13.0 {12.0-16.0} My old MCH 27.1 {28.0-34.6} my new MCH 29.0 {27.0-33.0} My platelets were high at 395 {135-380}, now they are 283 {140-400}. My calcium is still low at 8.3 {8.6-10.4} has been since thyroid surgery. My iron was 32 {35-150}, now 56 {40-175}, My iron sat. was 6.1% {20-55} now, its 14% {15-50} still flagged as low. my TIBC was 521 {250-450} High, now is,396 {220-400} still up there. Ferritin was 5, {5-148} now its, 13 {11-307} my B12 was checked because I requested it, and was 202 {180-900} some of these ranges seem so "broad" why is that? Should we always be in the middle, or do some just run LOW as their "normal"? My stomach has been upset the last few days, from all the iron and calcium and vitamins, etc, so I am going to rest it for 2 days and then start again, I truly hate taking all these pills, as I never took anything before. It's hard to fit it all into a day, 1500 mg, calcium 3x daily, 325 mg ferrous sulfate 3x daily, Vit. c, Levothyroxine, multi vitamin,but I will continue as I want to feel well, again!! the endo nurse said that my B12 was in range and they don't treat it, so I would have to call my PCP. She said everything looks good. The good news is that my TSH is good for cancer suppression, but my Free T 4 is low. TOO MANY NUMBERS! The best news is that I don't have another appt. til the end of March.....seeing the light at the end of the tunnel....yea!! Any comments or suggestions are much appreciated.
Take care,
Lori

Lori123--Congrats on a great report! Your Hgb looks really good and I'm sure it will continue to climb. As it increases the other numbers will go back to normal range too you just have to wait a bit longer. That's one of the things that scared me so bad when I was DX'ed. They showed me my lab and everything had a low or high next to it and a 2 Ferritin. But it's remarkable how things go back to order as the Hgb rises. Your labs really are looking great.

Your ferritin is on the charts and that is good, you will see it takes a long time for most people to raise this number. Ferritin is a very broad range and everyone will be at a different number according to their own body. Your B-12 is low but you can easily get yourself some OTC (sublingual liquid drops) usually at a healthfood or vitamin store. The Methyl-cobalamin is the type you want for best absorption this is the most active form. If your doc agrees you can get it in the shot form as well but some just say in range and as you know don't treat for it. The higher the better for B-12 it won't hurt you. You should consult your PCP on that.

I do the same thing with vitamins, every once in a while I have to take a short break to get things feeling better and then resume. I heard the other day that you should break your vitamin in 2 and take half in the morning and half at night. That sounds good to me. My mom orders special vitamins for women and they too are morning and night, so it must be a better way to take them.

I don't know too much about the thyroid hormone numbers but I'm glad you are doing well. Keep up the great work! Be well. FLFLOWERGIRL:)

Thanks FLFLOWERGIRL,
Obviously, you live in Florida. How nice for you!! It's freezing here in MI, with tons of snow. My 3 kiddos had another snow day...their 4th one. We are going to Florida for spring break, though, and I can't wait. It better be warm!!! I have Wyoming under my name, but that is just a suburb in MI. Anyway, thank you for your reply. I feel better about the lab work since it is going up. I read where ChristineVA mentioned to another poster that you see decent results in the first 6 weeks and then things slow down a bit...I was concerned after going through all the thyroid cancer stuff and then to see all my blood levels in the basement, it kinda bums you out. I just want to feel well again, but I have to be patient and obviously diligent and I will get there. Thank you for your kind reply, I am happy so far with the results. They get checked again at the end of April. Kinda wondering why the B12 is so low.....I will have to check into getting some as per your advice, I don't think that I have EVER had it checked before {never had my Ferritin checked before reading about it on here, either.} Why aren't some of these blood tests routine??
Thanks again for responding to my post, I appreciate it.
Take care,
Lori

Lori123--I agree, these test should be more routine. I guess they have to have a ~medically necessary~ reason to look in the first place which is crazy. FLFLOWERGIRL:)