Latest bloods please help

[Jodypody]

Managed to persuade my good old gp to do t3 and guess what? He did. I've actually gone down again since taking levo. Original was 3.9 t3 9.6 t4 and 3.28 tsh. Just had latest tsh 0.62. (Low I know 😀) t4 13.28 better but not great t3 3.4! Does this demonstrate I'm not converting? I'm thinking it does??

[gabkad]

jody, have you had your ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D levels checked? You look like either you have central hypothyroidism or a sort of euthyroid sick syndrome. If the latter, then there may be a reason why you are not converting.

[Jodypody in reply to gabkad]

Thanks for replying. Yes vitamin D and B12 are both very good but ferritin is 26.4 which is also down slightly despite now eating red. Eat at least twice a week greens and eggs and taking 200%rda.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Jodypody]

I would ask to be referred to an Endocrinologist but first post a new question asking for a recommendation in your area and to reply to you by Private Message. Also email [e-mail] for a list and there may be one near you.

[Jodypody in reply to shaws]

Hi Shaws. I'm lucky I've got an appt on March 5th and I know he's happy to prescribe NDT. Just wanted to know if I'm right on my theory? I have been on 75mcg of levo for the last 7 weeks but fear I was experiencing the loop back effect as I was going downhill again so I was tempted and did take 100 this morning but I suspect this will achieve next to nothing?

[Clutter in reply to Jodypody]

Jody, I think it may be too soon to tell whether it is a conversion problem as FT3 responds less quickly than TSH and FT4. FT3 may still be recovering after your TSH 3.68 and FT4 9.6 have improved on, I assume, a dose increase. A follow up thyroid test a few days prior to your endo consult will be helpful and if FT3 hasn't improved it may indicate a conversion problem.

[Jodypody in reply to Clutter]

I'm sure they won't increase dose of Levo as the tsh will be considered low. My usual gp is off for 2 weeks so I've got a phone appt with a stranger on Monday.

[Clutter in reply to Jodypody]

Jody, I assumed you had a dose increase to reduce your TSH from 3.68 to 0.62. I was suggesting that your FT3 is lagging behind the improvement in TSH and FT4 and may still improve. You're right, you are unlikely to get a dose increase with TSH 0.62.

[gabkad in reply to Jodypody]

post menopausal women and men 'lose 5 mg of iron' per day via the poop. Women who get their periods can lose 15 mg of iron per day (or more depending on how much they bleed) during their periods.

Iron is absorbed in only a 4 inch length of the small intestine. Pills like ferrous sulphate, the iron is only 10% absorbed. Heme iron is 30% absorbed. You need to take a look at how much 'elemental iron' is present in the supplement and calculate how many milligrams of that you are absorbing.

Liver contains heme iron and all the B vitamins plus vitamin A and copper. It's the easiest way to get what a body needs. People used to eat liver once a week to ensure health.