Blue Horizon Thyroid 10 Results, Advice Please.

[lucylocks]

Hi

I have just received my Thyroid 10 results from Blue Horizon.

Would anyone like to comment on them please.

I am currently taking 125 mcg. levothyroxine

and supplement with vit. D. B12 Iron Vit C and B complex.

I stopped taking the iron and B Complex 10 days before the test as I started getting nausea

and wonder if either were the cause of it.

The email from Blue Horizon reads as follows

The ferritin level is a little high. In addition to excess iron supplementation, raised serum ferritin can be a sign of inflammation or infection (quite commonly), and less commonly from damage to bone marrow or liver, genetic conditions, following blood transfusion, and in chronic anaemias such as thalassaemia.

Raised ferritin due to inflammation is not a sign of too much iron, and is not a sign of disease as such. Repeat testing in a few weeks time will enable you to spot any trends, and it would be a good idea to check iron stores, a full blood count and liver function tests too if you have any doubts about the cause. If you have any symptoms that concern you however, I urge you to make contact with your usual doctor as further investigation may be advisable. The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level is low, although thyroxine levels are currently within normal limits. It would be wise to keep an eye on this - either by reference to previous results if known or by checking TSH again in 6 months time or so. There is a possibility that hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) will develop if the TSH fails to rise (a low TSH implies excessive thyroxine production from the thyroid gland). Even though thyroid antibody testing is negative it is still possible to develop thyroid disease, although it is less likely. If you have, or develop, any symptoms suggestive of thyroid illness I urge you to make contact with your usual doctor.

We always recommend (although the choice is yours) that you share these results with your usual G.P. who will have access to not only your medical history, but also your physical self and will therefore be in a better position than ourselves to make a full assessment of any symptoms you are experiencing.

Results

CPR - 1.50 range <3.0

Ferritin - 158.6 range 20 - 150

Free T4 - 19.24 range 12 - 22

Free T3 - 4.58 range 3.1 - 6.8

TSH - 0.02 range 0.27 - 4.20

TOTAL T4 - 93.9 range 64.5 - 142.0

Anti - thyroidperioxide Abs - 27.5 range <34

Anti - thyroglobin Abs - 95.4 range <115

Vit B12 - 511 range 142 - 725

Folate - 17.04 range 10.4 - 42.4

Previous tests taken at G.P. surgery dated 6th May 2015 Taking 125mcg. levo.

TSH - 0.09 range 0.35 - 4.7

T4 - 14 range 7.8 - 21

Ferritin - 79 range 15 - 300

18th December 2014 Taking 100/125mcg. levo. alternatively.

TSH - 0.11 range 0.35 - 4.7

T4 - 13 range 7.8 - 21

Ferritin - 91 range 15 - 300

Doctor reduce dose to 100mcg. daily then after six weeks increased to 125mcg. daily after I complained I felt worse.

I do not understand how my ferritin was 91 in December then dropped to 79 in May but has now shot up over range. I have been taking 27 mg. Bluebonnet extra strength chelated iron 27mg. daily. but I have been taking them for approx. 18 months. as previous to starting them ferritin level was 65.

Would this have caused my ferritin to shoot up or could I in fact have inflammation causing it.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Many thanks browny

[Clutter]

Browny, I think it's likely iron supplements have raised your ferritin from 79 to 158, rather than inflammation as CRP, which is also an inflammation marker, is low. Stop supplementing iron and retest ferritin in 4-6 months. Even a cold or minor virus at time of testing can cause elevated ferritin, it is a protective way of the body withdrawing available iron from bacteria and virus which feed on it.

TSH, FT4 and FT3 look good. There is room for a dose increase if you feel you need it as neither FT4 nor FT3 are close to top of range, it will further suppress TSH however.

B12 511 is adequate but 1,000 is optimal. Continue your B12 supplement or increase dose to raise level and keep taking the B Complex. Folate is good.

[lucylocks in reply to Clutter]

Many thanks Clutter for replying,

That's reassuring about the ferritin.

As I still have some hypo. symptoms do you think I would be better asking for an increase in levo. (although I don't think G.P. would agree to it) or add a little T3 as it is still not quite mid range. I was going to do this a couple of months ago but I had a 24 heart monitor and did not want to do anything until I got the result which I am still waiting for (there is an 8 week wait to get the result)

Thank you browny

[Clutter in reply to lucylocks]

Browny, I think a quarter tablet (6.25mcg) T3 will be better than increasing Levothyroxine.

[lucylocks in reply to Clutter]

Thank you, should I keep the levo. at 125mcg. and add the 6.25mcg. T3 to it or should I reduce the levo. first.

[Clutter in reply to lucylocks]

Browny, no point in reducing T4, it'll cancel out the T3. Add it to your 125mcg. It's a small dose equivalent to 18.75mcg T4.

[lucylocks in reply to Clutter]

Many thanks Clutter,

your replies are always very much appreciated.

browny