Results of my blood tests

[Clmartin80]

January 2012- TSH = 5.37 serum free T4 =13 thyroid anti body =229

March 2013- TSH 6.37 serum free T4 = 12.3

After taking 25 levo

June 2013- TSH = 4.3 serum free T4 = 15.9

What's everyone thoughts on this??

[tegz]

Your FreeT4 is shooting up on a low Levo dose. That's probably why you're on 25ug still.

TSH not down much as you may not be benefitting from converted T3. I can see why GP treads warily-Hopefully she is clued up on the T4 non conversion in many users.[See posts an DI02 genes, recent]

Sadly few ,if any GPs, pursue FT3 test which may help- though there is mixed opinion on when/where it is useful.

How are you feeling on Levo? Do you feel more energy at all?

[Clmartin80 in reply to tegz]

No I'm tiered all the time and I feel low. There's a lot of people saying 25 is too low and also my anti body's r too high and that I could havehashimoto??

[Stourie in reply to Clmartin80]

Hi even tho your t4 has risen your tsh is still too high. You should be aiming for about 1 tsh. 25 is just a starting dose and you are due a raise I think. I am not medically trained.

Jo xx

[Clmartin80 in reply to Stourie]

Dr didn't want me to go in anything as they said I was boarder line. is TSH 1 something the uk don't agree with. Dr said they won't put me in higher dose and they won't retest me.

[Chippysue]

You have not had an increase since June???? You should be having your levothyroxine increased every six weeks after having bloods tested until ideally your TSH is under 1 and more importantly your Free T4 is towards the top of the lab range. Personally I did not feel well until my Free T4 went just above the top of the lab range.

25mcgs is just no where near enough. I would have thought you have several increases to go yet.

Have you had your B12 and vitamin D tested? ferritin and folate?

Sue

thyroiduk.org

[Clmartin80 in reply to Chippysue]

I think I've had b12( anemia?) my dr said they won't test for vit d. They won't up the levo and they won't retest. They think I'm depressed and that's it.

[tegz]

Why not ask your GP why you're being kept low dose- and can you increase it?

Without the things Sue mentions -at good levels, it will be a harder job to covert the T4.

Selenium also..2 Brazils a day should help too. [Don't overdo it!]

Gluten free, or much reduced, may help.Try a Gluten free day or two -and see how you feel.

[Clmartin80 in reply to tegz]

I think they won't up it as they say I'm only boarder line. I will try the gluten free

[tegz in reply to Clmartin80]

If they're adamant and you can't change GP or practice then for now reducing the load on your system will narrow the hormone gap.

Vit D3+K2, B12 ,Iron and Selenium will all assist your body in general and T4 conversion in particular. [Don't take Iron (or Calcium) same time as Levo- 4hrs wait]

Diet and nutrition is the best way to get your body right so be positive -and take the opportunity to deal a card back to the GP, by grabbing some self help.

Who knows, you may come off the Levo if so' borderline' but you will need to keep a firm watch on the TPO Abs- in case they worsen.

If you need ongoing support then you know where to come and please update your progress.

PS: I've removed immune support tips as not sure how these go with Hashis, IF you have it.

[Chippysue]

Cl please see other doctors at your surgery and you don't get anywhere seriously consider changing but I really don't know how you can choose another doctor unless you have been recommended.

Depression is a major symptom of hypothyroidism!!!!! You are hypothyroid, border-line is rubbish! just because your TSH is not 100!!! there are people without any symptom but their tsh is 100 and they are miffed that they are started on levothyroxine! Our bodies do not read the medical text books!

I was first ill with a tsh of 3! Your GP knows very little about thyroid disease and because of this, you need to be as informed as you possibly can. Try not to mention the word "internet" but say that you have read some details about thyroid disease.

I wouldn't take anything else for now. For example, it looks as though you haven't had your B12 tested as yet. This is a separate test on the blood form, it is often low for us with thyroid disease.

For now, make an appointment with a different GP at the surgery, ask for your B12, vitamin D, ferritin and folate to be tested. I cannot see how they can refuse to test your vitamin D, it is such an important vitamin as is B12. Ask for a printout of your blood test results with the lab ranges, you are entitled to this.

To start with you need to get an increase in your thyroxine, you can gradually increase supplements in necessary later on. If you start taking lots of things you will not be able to see what helps. When you are taking your optimum dose of thyroid medication it can take several months after that before symptoms disappear.

Your GP doesn't seem to want to help you!!! has he/she arranged for you to have free prescriptions? you are hypothyroid, don't accept borderline, goodness me, does he tell patients that they are a little bit pregnant!

Hang on in there! Read all you can on the main Thyroid UK website. thyroiduk.org

Sue

thyroiduk.org

[Clmartin80 in reply to Chippysue]

Hehe. I've had b12 test it's 297 ng/L ferritin 52 ug/L folate 12.8

[Hidden in reply to Clmartin80]

You might want to check out this link:

b12deficiency.info/

[Chippysue]

Ideally your B12 would be above 500 which is the start of the lab range in some countries. I take Jarrow's sublingual B12 lozenges and got my level up to 1000. I have to purchase them myself as B12 deficiency is a similar battle to thyroid, your level has to drop below the bottom of the range (usually around 190 before Doctors will prescribe B12 injections.

Please insist that you have your vitamin D tested. I think that your ferritin looks low too but have to got out now so haven't time to check, maybe someone else will comment.

[Clmartin80 in reply to Chippysue]

Dr said NHS won't fund for vit d testing

[tegz in reply to Clmartin80]

I've had my VitD done on NHS in Feb'13 -so maybe it's more your PCT?

[or what they're changing to]

[Chippysue in reply to Clmartin80]

Your doctor is wrong! How will you and your doctor know whether you have vitamin d deficiency? Whereabouts do u live?

[Clmartin80 in reply to Chippysue]

Thatcham Berkshire

[susymac in reply to Clmartin80]

Ive also had vit D tested on the NHS. They wont treat it even though it was below the range and I am deficient, but they still tested it.

I'm with the others change your doctor!

[susymac in reply to susymac]

Id also phone the path lab at the local hospital and ask!

[Clmartin80]

I'm wondering if their not helping because I was only 9st4 when they started me on the levo, weird thing is when they changed my anti ds I lost a lot of weight! From July I've gone down to 7st12 (which again they don't seem to care)!!

[tegz in reply to Clmartin80]

Did you get a reading for the other thyroid antibodies, TGAb?

PS:That weight loss is too much for you!

[Clmartin80 in reply to tegz]

Looks like they only done TSH and t4. My weight 4 years ago was 7st4 (before baby) so I think that's why their not taking it into account.

[tegz in reply to Clmartin80]

I went private for thyroid tests but it's quite normal to do both AB types,as I managed to do.

Now you know TPOAb is high you can push for the other being done, should you wish to have a clearer picture.

Can you get a referral to an Endo?

[ I know a lot read from the NHS 'hymnsheet'- but a list's available]

[Clmartin80 in reply to tegz]

I'm not sure, I'm going back in 2 weeks and I'm taking my mum (sad I know!) think the dr is hoping the Andi ds have kicked in but I know they won't, I've been in 5 different ones and nothing lifts my mood. I've seen 4 drs and they just treat me for depression

[tegz in reply to Clmartin80]

Not an excuse for ignoring hard results , though.

Your home support will be noted by GP, so you may move forward on the UAT front and a second opinion would be great- if you can get one!