Help with bloods please

[debra135]

Hi please could I get some help with my recent bloods. I have just upped my levo form 100 to alternate days of 100 then 125. I have started taking selenuim 200mcg and b12 each day. I do feel abit better not so foggy as before but would be grateful for some input as I'm not sure where in the rages is a good place to be. Thanks

My current bloods from 04/06/16 are

free T3 4.8 (3.1-6.8)pmol/L

free T4 20.6 (10.3-24.5)pmol/L

TSH 0.39 (0.4-5.5)miu/L

Anti TPO Ab >600

My previous bloods were taken on 07/03/16 when just on 100

free T3 4.2(3.1-6.8)pmol/L

free T4 18.7(10.3-24.5)pmol/L

TSH 01.26 (0.4-5.5)miu/L

Anti TPO Ab >600

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

The best places to be for a treated hypo patient are

TSH - 1 or below

FT4 and FT3 in the upper quarter of their ranges

Your TSH is fine

Your FT4 is fine

Your FT3 is low

Selenium should help with conversion of T4 to T3 but may not bring the T3 up enough. However, you have Hashi's so your results and symptoms will fluctuate as the antibodies attack. Are you gluten free in an attempt to reduce the antibody attacks? Many Hashi's patients find this helps enormously.

As you are taking B12, are you also taking a B Complex to balance the B Vits?

[debra135 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks, Yes gluten free as I was diagnosed with coeliac disease about 10 yrs ago. Re supps I've very recently started taking B12 and selenium but not B complex. I was under the impression, may be wrongly, that selenium can help with the antibodies have you heard that? I've also read about LDN helping too. If my t3 is still low how do I get that higher if my t4 and tsh are ok. Sorry finding all this hard to get my head around.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to debra135]

debra135 OK, add the B Complex as that will be needed.

I don't have Hashi's myself but have heard that selenium helps Hashi's patients. A couple of links in case you haven't already seen them:

jeffreydachmd.com/hashimoto...

chriskresser.com/selenium-t...

Plenty more out there I'm sure.

The only thing about brazil nuts is that if using them for the selenium content then it needs to be known if they were grown in selenium rich soil. I prefer to use a supplement in this case and then I know what I am getting.

I'm afraid I don't know anything about LDN but I do know that it is being mentioned more so maybe look into that.

As for raising your T3 - that's possible with adding T3 to your thyroid meds (doubtful if you would get it prescribed but always worth asking and backing it up with some peer reviewed evidence, otherwise sourcing it yourself, it's not that expensive but ask for recommendations). However, before going down the T3 route, I would personally see how it goes with the selenium, see how it affects your T4:T3 conversion. It may be enough, if not then you can consider adding T3. It's more difficult when you have Hashi's because of the fluctuations with the antibody attacks. Adding T3 may, at times, take you way over the amount you need and you could end up quite unwell.

Not easy is it? Such a lot to take in. Keep asking questions though, members are happy to help.

[debra135]

Thanks for you help, I have seen that its hard to get t3 prescribed now. I'm surprised that you said its not expensive as I had assumed that was why they were stopping it. Who knows what they powers that be think when it comes to the NHS! I will read the info on the links that you have included. Since I have started the B12 and selenium and slightly raised my levo I haven't had the same degree of brain fog with is so lovely. Being able to converse with people without tripping up all the time is amazing. Could raising my levo more help raise my t3? My last raise doesn't seem to have made much difference to the T3. Could that be an indication I'm not converting T4 to T3 well. Last question any idea how long you'd need to take the selenium before noticing a difference to you conversion rate.

[greygoose in reply to debra135]

You're not converting very well, that's for sure. And, in order to get your T3 to a level that makes you well, you would probably have to take a lot of levo. Much better to add in some T3.

T3 is very expensive in the UK - that's why it's difficult to get it prescribed - but the thing is not to buy it in the UK. Buy it in Greece, or Turkey. It's cheap there. Post a new question asking people to PM you reliable sources.

There's no knowing how long it would take for selenium to make a difference to your conversion - it might never make a difference, who knows.

The best place to be in the ranges, is the place that makes you feel well. And that is different for everybody. Optimal is not a number, it's how you feel.

[debra135 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you that's a great advice.

[greygoose in reply to debra135]

You're welcome.