I finally got my medichecks results and am a bit confused with the results.
March 22 the GP tested my tsh and it was 1.88. I am very surprised to see it has gone up so fast.
Also my t4 & t3 don't look as low as I was expecting.
Medichecks results :
Test taken on April 17, 7am, empty stomach.
Tsh: 4.12 (0.27-4.2)
T4: 19.8 (12-22)
T3: 4.8 (3.2-6.8)
I guess that's saying my t4 is ok but my t3 is low? The notes that came with it say that if I am still symptomatic there is room to adjust my meds.
your results are the same as mine except my tsh is too low ! How strange
This result is showing that you have yet to optimize your dose and could do with a small increase as your fT4 is only 70% with your fT3 at 44%
Time of testing can make a significant difference to TSH but also if you are new to Levo it takes a good few months for things to settle in even when you think you are at your optimal dose, small tweaks can make all the difference
Once you start taking Levo generally your thyroid slows any production of hormones so you then need to up your dose until fully replaced
p.s. have Medichecks changed their ranges? They always used to be 12-22 and 3.1-6.8
No idea about medichecks ranges as this is my first time. I think I made a typo with the 23. Will change that.
I have been on 50mcg levothyroxine since the start of October. My GP has been saying everything is normal since. I have never felt normal. The only symptom that went away was hairloss, every other symptom has stuck around.
Ah, I wondered if they'd changed their machines
So unless you are petit it is very unlikely that 50mcg is going to be enough, when are you next due a GP blood test?
I am not petite.
Here's the good bit..... GP ran my bloods last month and think I don't need one for another year or unless symptoms return... You know, the ones that never went away.
I hsve submitted my test results to the GP this morning then submitted an econsult talking about it. They have booked a telephone consult for "tomorrow afternoon".
I'm afraid this is often how it goes and you need to be well informed and quite forceful to get the correct dose 😕 we are all on a mission to educate our GP's, let's hope you can talk sense into them tomorrow, might be worth looking at the NICE guidelines that they should follow so that you can prompt them... nice.org.uk/guidance/NG145
Also worth mentioning you have received guidance from Thyroid UK who recommend a TSH of 1 or below along with symptom relief
🤗
Their guidance suggests 1.6 x kg of bodyweight to give you some idea of likely dose required
I might print out the whole thing to have in hand.
It's a bit of 'reading the room technique' if you come across too smart they often get a bit high handed so worth asking how they 'feel' about the guidelines, then you know what you are dealing with and if it's time to change GP!.... some are quite honest and say they haven't a clue and are happily guided by your greater knowledge 😳
I like my own GP, but lately I don't seem to get to see her. Not sure what I am dealing with otherwise.
This is why many of us are labelled with 'health anxiety' when it's more likely health service anxiety as it's a constant moving target!!
My gp is referring me for chronic fatigue syndrome which is what has pushed me to finally pay for my own tests. You just know when things are wrong.
Hopefully once you get on the correct dose of T4 the CFS will disappear as it is a symptom of being Hypo
I hope so. I don't feel I could accept a cfs diagnosis until I felt everything else is the best it can be. I don't feel kt is yet.
Also, I accept that with Hashimoto's and high TPO there will be flare ups and life might never be exactly what it was before.. But I feel there is more that can be done.
Very nervous for my phone call tomorrow.
Try not to get to anxious about it, your bloods show you need an increase but they might insist they retest you before agreeing, have a few bullet points written down, if they sound reluctant you can always ask for a trial increase... but the fact is you are on a child's dose currently so I'm sure a rise will be forthcoming 🤗
Obsidian thank you for giving me a huge out loud laugh on this miserable Monday morning. “Unless symptoms return. … You know, the ones that never went away.”
They really are desperate to get rid of us, aren’t they. They are not even ashamed of not listening!
Exactly how I feel.
Just printed out the NICE guidelines.. Didn't realize it was basically a book. Will need to sticky note the relevant bits.
Free T4 (fT4) 19.8 pmol/L (12 - 23) 70.9%
Free T3 (fT3) 4.8 pmol/L (3.2 - 6.8) 44.4%
Your prevous TSH at 1.88 was showing you needed an increase back then. Its now. increased over time.
Your FT4 could be a little higher and your T3 needs raising to around 70% of range.
What are your latest vitamin test results?
What supplements are you taking?
These aren't as good as I thought they were
March 25Ferritin 60 (30-204), this is actually rising but have been thinking to supplement this
Vit D 74.7 (50-350)
Folate 10. 6 (3-20)
B12 288 (180-640) already supplementing this.
Taking multivitamin, b12, cal/mag/vit d combo, evening primrose oil, just started omega 3.
Were these results before or after you started supplementing?
Multivits arent recommended in this group for many rzeasons including too lower dose of anything and not being able to raise low levels to optimal, cheap, inactive ingredients, containing iodine which isnt recommended, the list goes on.
You would be betetr off replacing your multivit with a good methyl/active type B complex. Some suggestions: Slightly cheaper options with inactive B6:
amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...
Contains B6 as P5P an active form:
bigvits.co.uk/thorne-resear...
healf.com/products/basic-b-...
Explanation about the different forms of B6:
helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...
B complex comparison spreadsheet:
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Its not recommended to supplement ferritin unless you've had a full iron panel and been showed to need iron. Its preferable to increase iron rich foods in your diet. Chicken livers, pate, red meat etc
Link with ideas for dietary iron:
dailyiron.net/https://three...
Vitamin D should be around 100 - 150. Buy one that includes vit K2 to help it go to your bones. Some are available in oil or you can take it with an oily meal for better absorption. Many members like the ‘Better You’ range of mouth sprays that contain both bit D & K2. Use this calculator to work out how much to take to get your level to 100-150.grassrootshealth.net/projec...
Which tests are a full iron panel? Recently had a lot as part of this chronic fatigue testing.
Iron panel:
Ferritin
Serum iron
TIBC (total iron binding capacity) or Transferrin
Transferrin Saturation
I see you're only on 50mcgs Levo which is really just a starting dose. See link for NICE guidelines:
Be sure to test as per this protocol:
Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process).
Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.
Wich B12 supplement are you taking? Your level was very low. Are you vegan or vegetarian?
I take boots brand b12 10ug.
I am not vegetarian or vegan but my vitamins are. I am dairy intolerant.
I am aware my levothyroxine has lactose but am not ready to address that. Thinking maybe it's the only thing keeping me from being constipated as well as everything else.
I think your low B12 is very likely contributing to your tiredness and fatigue. What was your B12 level before you started supplementing?
The Boots B12 supplement is a very low amount that isn't going to bring your level up anywhere near to where it needs to be.
B12 - do you have symptoms of B12 deficiency? The reference range for B12 is very wide and cut off point too low. theb12society.com/signs-and...
You should have a conversation with your GP about the possibility of pernicious anaemia and not change supplement until you have as you may need further blood tests. Tell them you have been supplementing and your level is still low.
If GP dosnt help then then start with a methyl B12 sublingual spray or lozenge for a week, then add a good B complex. Once you run out of the separate B12 and your level is over 75 active B12 just continue with the B complex.
cytoplan.co.uk/vitamin-b12-...
amazon.co.uk/Better-You-Boo...
I listed B complex options previously.
Out of the list of symptoms in that list...
Never in my life have I had half moons on my nails.
I get a skin feeling... Like a drop of cold water but nothing is there. Very occasional.
Oh. I have never been tested for vitamins until March. I started supplementing due to reading I did on perimenopause.
Do make an appointment to discuss this with your GP.
I will. I have a phone call tomorrow and if they let me will squeeze that question in... Otherwise will do a separate econsult when the system opens again.
As for vitamins. The multivitamin I have taken for a few years. B12 since the summer and omega 3 just s few weeks.
I have been trying to consume more protein as part of my energy management and my Ferritin has increased since then so has been trending upwards. Struggling to eat any more protein than I do now though due to loss of appetite.
I was thinking some more both on my tests and how GPs usually only test tsh.
Can our t4 level go higher than range but tsh still be in normal range? I was thinking this could happen if testing only tsh.
Is it ok for t4 to go above range if tsh is in range and not surpressed?
I just find it df that my tsh is high normal my t4 is okish and t3 needs work... Just not the combo I expected.
PROGRESS!! Just had my phone consultation with a different doctor and we came to the agreement of going from 50-75 levo. I hoped for 6 weeks but she said test in 10 weeks. She isn't putting it on prescription and calling it a three month trial until the next tsh test says it's ok. I will do a medichecks test around the same time to check the rest.
In terms of vitamins levels, she said as long as they fall in range the nhs won't give any treatment.
She then asked why I had so much anxiety over my thyroid and vitamin levels and I replied felt that was unfair to say as I am actually ill. She apologised and asked me better questions and was able to understand my perspective.
Soooo.... I can handle working on vit d and Ferritin myself but need help choosing something appropriate for B vitamins and Folate.
I just did the full panel on thyroid with medichecks waiting on the test now. How did you get diagnosed with Hashimoto's?
I went back looked at an old test 2015 I never realized the FREE T3 was Low the result said 'insufficient' does this sound like hypothyroid or autoimmune?
Hope you get answers to help you more xx
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