Help with Thyroid results please......

[karent75]

Hi,

I am a 42 year old female and recently paid privately (online) to have my thyroid levels checked as I have been feeling so rubbish for a while now.

I was diagnosed with pernicious anemia back in 2010, but my symptoms have got so bad lately and include; hair falling out and has become more dry, easily gaining weight even though being very careful with my food choices and amounts, extremely bad spots behind ears, around base of neck and along jaw line (something I never suffered with as a teenager)!, very dry skin on face and hands, and pins and needles although this is also a common symptom of my PA.

Anyway, I have just received my results back and all looks normal apart from my folate which I have been advised to speak to my GP about as it is on the low end. B12 is high as I am given B12 injections for my PA. However, I was hoping someone with a bit more knowledge could take a look and comment please. Results are as follows:

Biochemistry Patient Result Normal Range

CRP 1.60 <5.0 mg/L

Ferritin 60.3 20 - 150 ug/L

Thyroid Function

TSH 1.96 0.27 - 4.20 mIU/L

T4 Total 72.2 64.5 - 142.0 nmol/L

Free T4 12.15 12 - 22 pmol/L

Free T3 3.98 3.1 - 6.8 pmol/L

Immunology

Anti-Thyroidperoxidase abs 12.8 <34 kIU/L

Anti-Thyroglobulin Abs 11 <115 kU/L

Vitamins

Vitamin D (25 OH) 74 Deficient <25 nmol/L

Insufficient 25 - 50

Consider reducing dose >175

Vitamin B12 H 1294 Deficient <140 pmol/L

Insufficient 140 - 250

Consider reducing dose >725

Reading is high as patient receiving B12 injections

Serum Folate L 8.08 8.83 - 60.8 nmol/L

Thank you in advance for any information given.

[Clutter]

Karent75,

TSH, FT4 and FT3 are euthyroid (normal) because they are all within range. NHS won't usually diagnose hypothyroidism until TSH is over range (primary hypothyroidism due to thyroid failure) or FT4 is below range. If FT4 drops below range when TSH is low-normal it can indicate secondary hypothyroidism due to pituitary dysfunction. I think you are going to have to wait and see what happens to FT4. I would recommend retest in 6 months.

Thyroid antibodies are negative so you don't have autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's).

VitD is replete 75-200. If you can get some sun on your face and arms your vitD level will increase naturally but you may want to maintain levels with 2,500iu D3 October to April.

Ferritin <70 has frequently been said to cause hair loss. It may be worth supplementing iron with 1,000mcg vitamin C to aid absorption and minimise constipation.

Folate is deficient. My GP prescribed 5mg folic acid for a couple of months which corrected folate deficiency. You need good folate levels when you are having B12 injections.

[karent75 in reply to Clutter]

Hi Clutter,

Thank you for your reply, it's very much appreciated.

I am still a little confused as to what means/does what regarding TSH, FT3, FT4, etc!

I will supplement on VitD and folate as know this is needed to help with the B12, although the folate I will have to get on repeat prescription again!

Thanks again.

Karen

[Clutter in reply to karent75]

Karent75,

Bottom line is that NHS won't usually diagnose hypothyroidism until the TSH is over range ie >4.20 or FT4 is below range ie <12.0.