Help to decipher blood results please. - Thyroid UK

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Help to decipher blood results please.

lizbott profile image
12 Replies

Feritin 10

Folates 10.5

B12. 387

T4 16

TSH 0.64

Receptionist read results over the phone and said all are normal. I have an appointment with my gp to discuss but know he has not got a clue! When I asked about ndt he asked what it is. He is not able to request a T3 test so said he will refer me back to the endo and I'd like a bit of ammunition!

I was diagnosed in 2005 and currently take 125 levo. I need my TSH to be 0.3 or lower. However when Levo is increased I tend to go hyper. I'm suffering with aches and pains again, especially after sitting for any length of time. The fatigue is horrendous, I fell asleep at work the other day. Constipation is back along with carpul tunnel syndrome, fuzzy head, clumsiness and nightmares ( amongst others). I'm on anti depressants from the last time I was over medicated on levo. I also take high blood pressure tablets and self medicate with vit b6 to control pms.

I'm 52. Any advice will be greatfully received.

Many thanks

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lizbott
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12 Replies
lizbott profile image
lizbott

Many thanks. I suspected that was the case after reading other posts. As I said, the doctor doesn't seem to have a clue so hopefully he'll take note. He does appear to be very open to discussion so I'm hoping he will prescribe.

Are you still really fed up or feeling better?

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply tolizbott

Hi lizbott

When you reply to a comment you have to press the yellow Reply to this otherwise the person isn't alerted and you may wonder if you required a response.

The symptoms you state above appear to be hypo. Doctors are unaware of NDT or even that they can prescribe on a 'named patient basis'. As the guidelines state levo only they are afraid of appearing before the GMC.

When you get your results,r you must get the ranges as labs throughout the country differ but reallyfedup is right, your ferritin is too low and B12. If you supplement with B12 it has to be methylcobalamin not cyanocobalamin.

Re anti-d's. Psychiatrists can prescribe T3 for their patients and doctors can also prescribe T3 to be added to a reduced T4 (levo), i.e. 10mcg of T3 for 50mcg of levo and that may help you as T3 is the Active hormone we need in our cells for our body to function properly and our brain contains the most cells. Vitamins are also helpful and this is a link:-

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

I buy mine through Amazon (link on r/h side and Thyroiduk get a small commission).

You should have a Vitamin D blood test too as all of these deficiencies cause problems in themselves.

I order mine through Amazon (link on

lizbott profile image
lizbott in reply toshaws

Hi. Just back from my gp. Thought it would be wise to let him know about the info I got from here on vitamin deficiency and that it best recorded on my notes. It was really a case of the blind leading the blind. He has emailed the endo (appointment with miles Levy at Leicester Royal on Sept 1st) so I will have TSH, T4, FT4, T3 and FT3 results when I see him. However apart from saying my iron levels are low and perhaps a multi vitamin would help couldn't offer any other advice.

The link you put Amazon was not complete. I'd be grateful for your advice on the following;

What do I need to take to increase ferratin levels and how much?

Same for Folates think this is iron but again how much and how much vit c to help with the absorption.

Methylcobalamin vit b12 - what / how do I take this and how much?

Vit d test has been requested when I next have my thyroid checks done - should I start on a supplement now and if so what and how much.

Magnesium, zinc and pottasium - your thoughts on this please.

Sorry for appearing thick, but after over medicating on T4 because of Lois TSH level and going RALLY

lizbott profile image
lizbott in reply tolizbott

Sorry clicked reply too early! Should read REALLY loopy, I now realise that I'm not converting T4 to T3. I appreciate that you cannot prescribe, but as a fellow hypo, I would value you're input. Many thanks :-)

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply tolizbott

Hi Lizbott

You can supplement with B12. I think 1,000mg a day will be fine. You cannot overdose on Vit B12 and excess is excreted in urine and sublingual will go into your bloodstream in case you have a gut problem.

Wait till your have a Vit D test as it may be fine.

I buy powdered Vitamin C and only 1/4 teaspoon is needed. You mix it with water or juice.

For Magnesium, you can either buy magnesium oil and put on skin. Or buy epsom salts and put in your bath or soak your feet in it each night. Your skin absorbs the magnesium in it. The oil is absorbed through skin. I don't think you need too much.

For your iron/folate query, do a new question and ask as I don't have enough expertise on these and you will get a better answer.

lizbott profile image
lizbott

Sorry did not hit the yellow button (I'm new!). Please see my reply. As an afterthought, will the bit c taken with the iron stop constipation?

Heloise profile image
Heloise

stopthethyroidmadness.com/l...

Especially for hypothyroids but try to locate the lab ranges where yours were taken.

astroscopesuk profile image
astroscopesuk

Dear Lizbott

Very interrested in your post, you poor love and I empathise.

I am on 50 mg levo and have all the same symptoms, carpal tunnel , dreadful fatigue, clumsiness and nightmares, fuzzy head, constpation and terrible sweats,,I was diagnosed hypothyroid in april and i think 50 is too high for me,,

however the gp wont do anything about my ferratin as i smoke a little,,, but i put on so much weight for me, i couldnt think of anyother way of keeping it down, I did give up and then with the giving up and my thyroid going wrong i put on two stone, and my little 4ft 11 and half frame cant take the weight,, im desperately trying to get back to the 8 stone i was,,,and i have been off work for about 6 weeks now as i dont feel any better. Some of the gps at the surgery think ive gone hyperthyroid, some think all my bloods are normal,again after my tsh levels were really high they are now around the 3 mark,, Unfortunaltely i dont have an endo app till end of july,,, but i do take suppliments , ie b12, vit c and B and vit D and fish oils,,

i hope you get better soon ,

regards

Astro

lizbott profile image
lizbott in reply toastroscopesuk

You poor thing. Hope you feel better soon. I smoke a little and last time I tried to give up went through a terrible time. When I was first diagnosed 9 years ago I was off work for 4 months. I had another 6 months off 18 months ago after going hyper and feel as though in dipping again, although I haven't gone loopy yet lol. Hope you feel better soon. X

astroscopesuk profile image
astroscopesuk in reply tolizbott

Dear lizbott

thank you very much for taking the time to reply, I am feeling a complete wus for taking what will be almost two and a half months off work but I feel so awful I sweat lots , am in constant pain and my bloods keep coming back seemingly normal ,,im waiting for an endo app at end of July!!!

thank you for replying and i hope youre felling better soon x

Regards

Astro

JohnJones profile image
JohnJones

Your B12 is low. The European/Japanese safe level is about 500 picogm/ml and you are well below that. When you get older you need even more. The doc should treat the symptoms and not go by the test-results. This is according to the new paper from the British haemotology society (cant remember their exact name) who published a p[aper on B12 levels three weeks ago. I had B12 problems and my level was over 400.

Come off the antidepressants. You don't need them and they will drain you. Most Doctors prescribe these when they can't identify symptoms -they follow the new DSM guidelines so that patients get diagnosed with somatic complaints. This diagnosis is very controversial and there is much disquiet about it in professional circles. Don't ask the doctor to come off them, tell him you are coming off them.

lizbott profile image
lizbott in reply toJohnJones

Thanks jonesboy.am seeing the doc again soon and the end (miles levy) in sept. I feel more confident with all the ammunition this site has given me. My doc is very good and last time I saw him he said he just wants me to get better. Will be taking off all my responses to show him and the endo. :-)

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