Seeking Guidance on Test Results
Hello! I’m reaching out in hopes of receiving some guidance from someone knowledgeable in this area. Last September, I underwent blood tests due to a persistent sense of fatigue, body aches, and generally feeling unwell for my age, being a 19-year-old female. There’s a significant family history of both anemia and hypothyroidism, so I suspected that I might be facing similar issues. The tests indicated that I had a deficiency in folate, prompting me to start supplementing. However, since beginning these supplements, my symptoms have unfortunately intensified. I recently started taking sertraline to manage my depression, which has positively impacted my mental state. On the physical side, I’m experiencing severe digestive disturbances, including prolonged loss of appetite and either daily diarrhea or constipation. I often feel fatigued, and even minor physical activity leaves me sore and in discomfort. Additionally, my skin and scalp suffer from constant dryness, and my menstrual cycle is irregular. I’ve noticed unintentional weight gain, despite not altering my diet or lifestyle, and I'm struggling to shed those extra pounds. I consistently feel depleted and down, and something seems off with my health. I consulted my doctor about a follow-up regarding my thyroid and ferritin levels, but she reassured me that everything appeared normal. However, I can't help but question whether those results still hold true as they might have changed since then. Here are the results from my tests: - Serum folate level: 2.0 µg/L (Reference range: 3.8 - 26.8) - Serum ferritin level: 15 µg/L (Reference range: 15 - 150.0) - TSH: 3.59 mIU/L (Reference range: 0.51 - 4.2) - T4: 13.7 pmol/L (Reference range: 12.6 - 21.0) - T3: 5.6 pmol/L (Reference range: 3.9 - 7.7) I would greatly appreciate any insights or advice on my situation. Thank you!
Answers (1)
3/23/2025, 8:30:45 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're going through a challenging time with your health, and I appreciate you sharing your concerns and test results. Here’s a summary of your situation: you have a diagnosed folate deficiency and are experiencing various symptoms, including fatigue, digestive disturbances, skin dryness, irregular menstruation, and weight changes. Your thyroid levels are within normal ranges, but it's understandable to want clarification given your family history.
Understanding Your Symptoms
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Folate Deficiency: Your serum folate level is below the normal range, which could contribute to fatigue and other health issues. Even though you're supplementing, it could take time for levels to improve and for you to feel the impact.
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Low Ferritin: Your ferritin is at the lower end of the normal range. Low ferritin can indicate low iron stores, which may also contribute to fatigue and body aches.
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Thyroid Function: Your TSH and T4 levels are within standard ranges. However, if you have persistent symptoms, it's reasonable to consider discussing further evaluation with your healthcare provider, as thyroid function can still be a complex area.
Immediate, Prioritized Steps
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Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a symptom diary for the next couple of weeks, tracking factors like energy levels, digestive issues, and mood. This information can be beneficial for your healthcare provider.
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Address Nutritional Intake:
- Incorporate Folate-Rich Foods: Include foods such as leafy greens, legumes, and fortified cereals. This may help support your folate levels.
- Iron-Rich Foods: Focus on iron-rich foods such as red meat, beans, lentils, and spinach, especially because your ferritin is low. Pair these with vitamin C-rich foods (like oranges or bell peppers) to enhance absorption.
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Digestive Health: For digestive disturbances, consider:
- Keeping a food diary to identify potential triggers for your diarrhea or constipation.
- Eating smaller, frequent meals instead of large ones to lessen digestive stress.
- Staying well-hydrated.
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Review Medications: Since you recently started sertraline and are experiencing some distressing symptoms, it may be worth discussing with your healthcare provider whether these symptoms could be side effects or related to dosage adjustments.
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Reassess Thyroid and Ferritin: Given your ongoing symptoms and familial history, ask your healthcare provider about repeating your thyroid and ferritin tests in the near future for a more current view. You might also explore additional tests for B vitamins and other potential deficiencies.
Final Thoughts
I understand this situation is frustrating and concerning. Remember that you're taking proactive steps by seeking information and consulting with your healthcare provider. Continue to advocate for your health, and do not hesitate to express your ongoing concerns with them. You deserve to feel better. Let me know if you have more questions or need additional help!
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