Test Results Back

[DownAndDesperate]

Hi,

I got my test results back. Impressed with the speed of Monitor My Health! I’ll post them below. Can you advise what they mean and what I should do going forward?

Edited to add: test done at 9am. No food or drink between waking and doing the test. Last levo thyroxine dose (150mcg) was more than 24 hours previous (usually take around 7pm but skipped Wednesday’s dose and did test on thursday). Last T3 was taken around 23rd January. Thanks

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Forum advice is to leave 24 hours between thyroid blood test & Levo:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

As your last dose of Levo was more than 24 hours before the blood draw, this could mean TSH is slightly elevated and FT3/ FT4 lower than usual levels.

From your last post, I understand you are keen to restart Liothyronine in a combination dose, but need to do this slowly due to previous heart issues. I personally would go ‘low and slow’ if you choose to reintroduce Liothyronine, starting with 2.5mcg and building to 5mcg once tolerated. Always retest thyroid bloods 6-8 weeks after being on a consistent dose.

Please follow forum advice on timings in above link posted by  SlowDragon in your next test:

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night adjust timings prior to blood test so that it’s 24 hours between last dose levothyroxine and test

[DownAndDesperate in reply to Buddy195]

Oh, I didn’t realise it had to be exactly 24 hours. I thought you just weren’t allowed to take it within 24 hours. I’ll make sure it’s 24 hours next time.

I’m still confused by what you mean by on a consistent dose. Do I build up to 5mcg and then stay on that dose for 6-8 weeks and then test?

I only have access to the 25mcg pills. Are you able to DM a source for the lower dose tablets or do I need to start a new thread?

Thanks

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to DownAndDesperate]

I would start a new thread for Levo brand discussion/ dosage.

We recommend you check levels after taking the same dose (whatever this might be) after 6-8 weeks. There is no point checking levels if you have been only taking a given amount for a couple of weeks.

[DownAndDesperate in reply to Buddy195]

I was more confused as to how long I raise for/ to what amount before I stay at that dose and then test. How do I know when to stop raising the dose? And how often do I go up a dose? Thanks

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to DownAndDesperate]

Due to your previous heart health issues, I would retest TSH/ FT3/ FT4 6-8 weeks after each increase in dosage. I would share these with the forum and monitor closely how you feel on each dose increase.

[DownAndDesperate in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to DownAndDesperate]

So your T3 is self sourced, not prescribed

Prescription T3 is available as 20mcg, 10mcg or 5mcg

Cut your 25mcg into 1/4’s to get 6.25mcg

[DownAndDesperate in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes, it’s self sourced. I tried NHS and private Endo and they all refused to prescribe.

Buddy195 keeps saying I need to take it slower than the 6.25mcg.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

[DownAndDesperate in reply to SlowDragon]

Will do. Thank you for that.

I tested the above…I think last august. I will make sure to do them annually. Somewhere else I was advised to take 10,000iu daily - is this ok, or too much? Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to DownAndDesperate]

Vitamin D 46 nmol/l (50-200)

Taking 10,000iu vitamin D is far too much

2000iu to 4000iu is more likely enough

Retest 2-3 months after taking 2000iu daily

GP should prescribe 1600iu everyday for 6 months

NHS Guidelines on dose vitamin D required

ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/use...

GP will often only prescribe to bring vitamin D levels to 50nmol.

Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol or even 80nmol

leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...

GP should advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)

mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...

But with Hashimoto’s, improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol by self supplementing may be better

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/218...

vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Test twice yearly when supplementing

Can test via NHS private testing service

vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function.

There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7.

One spray = 1000iu

amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...

It’s trial and error what dose we need, with thyroid issues we frequently need slightly higher dose than average

Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7

Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

livescience.com/61866-magne...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Recipe ideas

bbc.co.uk/food/articles/mag...

Interesting article by Dr Malcolm Kendrick on magnesium

drmalcolmkendrick.org/categ...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

[DownAndDesperate in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for all of that. I’ll have a read of the links.

I already have the 10,000iu. Is it dangerous to take this as I’d prefer not to have to have to buy more, but obviously I will if taking these is a problem.

I was diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency years ago. I remember having loading doses but not sure what the strength was. Then I was changed to 800iu per day. When they retested my results we’re still really low. They switched me to 20,000iu per month because they assumed I wasn’t taking the 800iu daily but I was and they wouldn’t take my word for it. They haven’t retested since starting the 20,000iu per month even though it’s been a few years. My private test in august said 46nmol/l (range of 50-200). When I was first tested it was lower than 25 so in the severely deficient category. I’ve started taking k2 with the vitamin d now so I’m hoping that will make a difference to my levels.

I read that taking magnesium can be an issue if you have adrenal problems which I’m currently being tested for by the Endo - do you know if I should hold off supplementing?

Thanks

[HilaryWB]

your TSH is too high and your T3 too low A normal TSH should be about 1 or 01. Yours is over 4, you are Hypothyroid. I was like you for 40+ years.

Try requesting an appt with an NHS Endocrinologist, looks like you might need T3. I was given T3 and Also my Endocrinologist discovered that I had a genetic defect as my mother father, neice,aunt and daughter all have thyroid problems, in that the thyroid can't do it job so you become Hypothyroid.

T3 has given me back my life. Please be aware that 99% of GP's are USELESS at treating Thyroid issues, (this was my Endos comment when he has read my notes!) you need an Endocrinologist to help you

[DownAndDesperate in reply to HilaryWB]

Hi. Thanks for your reply.

I have no idea about these ranges but my GP said my TSH was 9 point something the other week.

I was taking T3 myself but the endocrinologist wouldn’t prescribe T3. I’ve seen several and none of them know anything and have mostly just lectured me on stuff and been no help at all. You seem to have been very lucky with yours. I’m under one currently but I last saw them in January and waiting on an appointment. Before that I saw them the previous January, despite them saying it would be 3-4 months for my next appointment so I don’t hold out much hope. I even went to a private endocrinologist from the thyroid UK list and still didn’t actually get any help, just wasted money I don’t have.

What was the genetic defect? Is it the DO gene? I forget the exact name. I was thinking about getting private testing for this.

[HilaryWB]

first, if your TSH is 9, you are very Hypothyroid, anything above 4 is Hypothyrod,.Ideally it should be no more than 2.THey don't normally do gene screening unless both your parents, at least I aunt or uncle, and any other very close relatives, ie nephews, neices, and at least one child have thyroid issues.

If it is of any help I bought 2 books which are incredibly informative, I got them from Amazon I think, and explain everything.However they are quite scientific, but they are very well researched with los of references. They were written but a man who suffered for years with poor management of his thyroid condition, who has delved into this poorly understood condition. Very worth a read.It means I can if need be argue my case re my treatment as I have the evidence.So below are the 2 books I call my Thyroid Bibles!

1. The Thyroid Patient's Manual

( recovering from Hypothroidism series) "

"From Hypothyroidism to Good health using T3, NDT, T3, or T4/T3 Thyroid Treatments"

Written by Paul Robinson

2.Recovering with T3

" My Journeyfrom Hypothyoidism to Good Health using the T3 Thyroid Hormone"

Again by Paul Robinson,and it has a foreword by Dr John C Lowe, who is possibly the ultimate authority in the UK on Thyroid disease, just Google him for more info.

Hope that helps!