BH test results

[Nuttymummyoffour]

Can someone explain these please? I'm on 25mcg levothyroxine. I feel like crap, is it the B12?

[puncturedbicycle]

You may just need to be on more levo. How long were you on it before this test? But yes your b12 is low and iron could be better.

[Nuttymummyoffour in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Ive been on levothyroxine for 6 weeks. I did a week last week where I doubled the dose to 50 and I must admit I felt a lot more alert. My free t3 & t4 are almost the same as last time. I haven't braved the doc yet. I've started taking iron again 210mg twice a day which was orgianlly prescribed and doc stopped it. I'm also taking 2 X 800mcg Vit d.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Nuttymummyoffour]

Ok, did you take 50 before or after this test? Because if you were on it before the test the results may be a little misleading.

In my understanding it is unusual for someone to need no more than 25mcg levo.

[Nuttymummyoffour in reply to puncturedbicycle]

No I stopped taking 50 last Friday because I was worried. I didn't take any before the test and took it after

[Marz]

Your B12 is on the floor and needs to be around 1000. Are you taking any other medications in addition to your levo/T4 ??

Do you have any gut issues that is preventing the absorption of B12 ?

You need to supplement and I am suggesting Jarrow Methylcobalamin 5000 mcg from Amazon - along with a good B Complex to keep all the B's in balance.

[Nuttymummyoffour]

I take 2x800 mcg Vit D, 210mg iron twice a day. I can't believe Doc didn't spot it. I will order some lozenges online. I felt better on 50mgc Levothyroxine so I'm wondering if I should get Doc to do for me. Are FT3 & FT4 ok?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Nuttymummyoffour As Marz has said, your B12 is very low, do as she suggests regarding supplementing both B12 and B Complex.

Your iron has just scraped in, would be better around 100+ so you're right to continue supplementing. Make sure you take 1000mg Vit C with each dose of iron, and take iron 4 hours away from thyroid meds.

Do you have a Vit D result? You should take K2 when taking D3, Vit D aids absorption of calcium and K2 directs the calcium to bones and teeth rather than arteries and soft tissues.

25mcg Levo is a baby dose, a starting dose, even 50mcg is very low. It's usual for hypo patients to settle on 100mcg or even more for symptoms to subside. Your GP should be retesting after 6-8 weeks and adjusting dose, retest again after 6-8 weeks and adjust dose if necessary, etc., until you feel well.

The one week on 50mcg Levo wouldn't have had time to make much difference, if any, so those test results you can say were based on 25mcg. You need an increase in your dose, initially to 50mcg, retest after 6-8 weeks and see where your levels are then and how you feel.

The aim of a treated hypo patient is for the TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it is needed for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their ranges, normally the upper third for FT4 and upper quarter for FT3. You're looking at around 19 for FT4 and 5.9 for FT3, those levels may or may not be where you feel best, it's all trial and error.

It's still early days, you've not really been on Levo long enough for it to have much impact, it can take months for symptoms to resolve. Add to that your low B12 and probably low Vit D, then no wonder you feel crap. You need time for everything to take effect.

[Nuttymummyoffour in reply to SeasideSusie]

SeasideSusie thank you so much you explain it so well. I've taken loads of notes so I don't keep annoying everyone with my dozy questions! My brain is rubbish at the moment, I can't hold a thought for a moment...

Anyway, I haven't been taking enough Vit C so I will up it and yes I am Vit D deficient and I'm supplementing. I've just ordered the Jarrow B12 lozenges so will start taking them too. I'm really impatient at the best of times and I think it's because finally I know somethings up and not in my head as others had suggested I'm wanting to go go go. I know it's a long haul, I just have to keep my impulses under control lol.

[mountaingoat83 in reply to Nuttymummyoffour]

I can sympathise with that, I always want instant results and that's not how this all works! Also, be wary of changing too many things at once, otherwise it will be hard to know what's working. Maybe just focus on a couple of things, eg increasing levo and B12 to start with?