Can anyone comment on these results?: Hi all, I... - Thyroid UK

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Can anyone comment on these results?

queeniebunn profile image
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Hi all, I finally asked for a print-out of results but it may as well be in a foreign language to me.

Would appreciate any input or views. I hope I have done this correctly!

I currently take 100mcg Levothyroxine a day.

Thanks in advance.

SERUM TSH level result = 3.03 mu/L (0.27 - 4.2)

Serum free T4 = 14.3 (10.0 - 21.0)

Vitamin B12 = 333 (180.0-2000.)

serum folate level = 7.8 (1.5 -20.0)

ferritin = 19.0

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queeniebunn
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PinkNinja profile image
PinkNinja

How are you feeling? If you are feeling ok, then that dose is suiting you.

If, however, you are not feeling so good you might need an increase of thyroxine to perhaps 125mcg. Your GP should be able to advise. Your TSH is rather higher than one would expect for someone on thyroxine. Although that might be fine for some people, if you're still not feeling right it is probably too high for you and a slight increase of thyroxine might help. Your T4 is also rather low in the range, also suggesting you may need an increase.

Dr Toft, former chair of the British Thyroid Association (who are responsible for the current thyroid treatment guidelines) stated in his Pulse article to GPs that most patients will need to get their TSH in the bottom part of the range (below 0.5) to feel well and their T4 in the upper part of the range. Dr Lowe also believed the lower part of the TSH range was best for most people (I think he stated below 1). Do bear in mind that not everyone needs their TSH this low. It is a very individual thing. Drs Toft and Lowe were talking about the majority of people and, as we know, not everyone fits into the nice neat little box :)

Basically, if you are still feeling hypothyroid, there is plenty of room for an increase of thyroxine. Please do ask your GP to look at this if you are still feeling unwell.

I also noticed your B12 is rather low in range. You may benefit from taking a B12 supplement in the form methylcobalamin (easy form for the body to use). Your folate isn't too bad but you might benefit from also taking a vitamin B complex which includes several B vitamins, including folic acid.

Your ferritin is very low! Ferritin is stored iron. Iron is important for your body to be able to convert thyroxine to its active form and to be able to get this active thyroid hormone into the cells to be used. Most people seem to be best with a ferritin level around 70-90. There was recent research to show that non-anaemic women with a ferritin level below 50 benefited from iron supplements. Your is only 19! If you take iron, make sure you don't take at the same time as the thyroxine and take it with vitamin C to aid absorption. The vitamin B2 (riboflavin) in your B vitamin complex and in various foods (marmite is one) will help your body to store the iron.

I hope that helps

Carolyn x

queeniebunn profile image
queeniebunn in reply to PinkNinja

Wow thank you Carolyn for your in depth reply, it is really appreciated.

I had actually gone to see the doctor as I had been feeling really low again. Every time I go, I just burst into tears and feel so stupid! On the back of these blood results the doc has prescribed iron 4 times a day which I hope will help. I have had problems storing iron in the past.

(Thanks for the tip about when to take iron - I had been taking it at same time as Thyroxine :(

I've not had a great time since last November when I had a partial thyroidectomy and suffered two bad infections. That led to shingles inside my ear and Bell's Palsy. I also have has ocular Myasthenia Gravis which for over 20 years has been manageable. Now, my right eye has completely collapsed so I am taking medication for this. A benign tumour was also picked up in my parotid gland which is being monitored.

Reading all this back I sound like a raving hypochondriac! I can assure you I'm not lol.

Regards

Chris x

PinkNinja profile image
PinkNinja in reply to queeniebunn

Gosh! You have had a rough time! Supplementing with the B vitamins may help with some of the other stuff too. Remember to rest as well. Rest is very important when your body has been through so much.

I hope you start to feel better soon :)

Carolyn x

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