1 month post op blood results. Feedback please.

[DanteNXS]

Here are my lab results:

TSH - 0.958 uIU/mL (0.450-4.500) This is the highest ever for me.

Thyroxine (T4) 8.3 ug/dL (4.5-12.0)

Triiodothyronine,Free (T3),Serum 3.2 pg/mL (2.0-4.4)

T4,Free(Direct) 1.27 ng/dL (0.82-1.77)

Reverse T3, Serum 13.9 ng/dL (9.2-24.)

Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy 36.9 ng/mL (30.0-100.0)

Vitamin B12 897 pg/mL (211-946)

Folate (Folic Acid), Serum >20.0 ng/mL (>3.0) Do I need to get this down?

Insulin 22.2 uIU/mL (2.6-24.9)

Ferritin, Serum 43 ng/mL (30-400)

Glucose, Serum 101 High mg/dL (65-99)

I noticed that my D3 is low, it was off the charts last month, what could have caused the dramatic drop? My fasting glucose is always between 96-101.

[Clutter]

Hi DanteNXS,

Thyroid results look good and your remaining lobe appears to be performing well. TSH is right where you want it just under 1.0, FT4 is just under half way through range and FT3 dead on half way through range which are normal results for someone not on replacement. I would repeat the test in a couple of months just to check FT4 doesn't drop too low.

I don't know why vitamin D would suddenly drop. I would supplement 5,000iu for 6 weeks then reduce to 5,000iu alternate days and aim for 50ng/mL.

Ferritin is optimal 100 to halfway through range. Perhaps you could supplement iron and take each tablet with 500-1,000mg vitamin D to aid absorption and minimise constipation.

_______________________________________________________________________________

I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[DanteNXS in reply to Clutter]

Ok, but none of this explains my symptoms though. Hmmmmm

[Clutter in reply to DanteNXS]

DanteNXS,

No. From your symptoms I was expecting your FT4 and FT3 to be low and TSH high.

Have you had any numbness/tingling in your fingers, toes and around your mouth and nose? I'm just wondering whether your vitD dropped because your calcium dropped.

[DanteNXS in reply to Clutter]

I have had small bouts of that, but they checked my serum calcium and it is fine. I am thinking mild anxiety, perhaps caused by low iron, lithium, or possibly an adrenal issue.

Or, I could still be recovering from this year long struggle.

Uggggg!!!!

[Clutter in reply to DanteNXS]

DanteNXS,

Ferritin is low which is why I suggested you supplement iron and vitC.

[DanteNXS in reply to Clutter]

I will do that

[radd in reply to DanteNXS]

Agree with Clutter, results are good Dante but results are only useful as an indication (on paper) and it is how we feel.

I would say it is still much too early to feel right as rain and you should be gentle on yourself to nurture any adrenal issues.

Blood sugar and insulin is still highish and if you are eating well, indicates unbalanced adrenal hormones are failing to stabilise blood glucose levels. This should improve as the weeks go on.

The anxiety, hot flashes and palpitations could be your hormones readjusting and will hopefully reduce.

I didn't know Vit D could crash like that as thought it was stored in the body. Can you get it retested before supplementing ?

Addressing low iron would be prudent. Many members use Ferrous Fumarate, taken with 500mg-1,000mg vitamin C to aid absorption and minimise constipation (or Apple Cider Vinegar).

Folate is fine as long as it matches Vit B12 (which it does).

Lotsa Vit C will be hugely beneficial to your adrenals. I take 3-4 grams daily in a calcium ascorbate powder.

[DanteNXS in reply to radd]

Radd,

As always, I greatly appreciate your feedback. I will get my bit d retested, as it does seem strange that it dropped so much in a short amount of time.

I am trying to eat well, but I don't think that I am eating enough, due to no appetite.

I also need to be more consistent with the vit c. My iron levels have increased, but not ferritin.

I have also been taking PS 100 with fish oil, to address the high cortisol issue.

It's so hard keeping all these supplements straight. Do you have a protocol in mind that you can share?

Dante

[radd in reply to DanteNXS]

Dante,

Interesting about the phosphatidylserine. I have not used this myself but read a dose of 400mg is the magic number to have a stress dampening effect on the pituitary-adrenal axis.

Be aware it appears to discourage both cortisol and DHEA and many of us who have high cortisol will have low DHEA and vice versa. You don't want to reduce something you may already be short in. Also DHEA is the precursor to male sex hormones (testosterone, etc).

There are many other supplements known to help adrenal health such as adaptogens and adrenals glandulars.

Re supplementing ; last year was very heavy & regimentally time-tabled because I chelated with DMSA after mercury removal. I also started theraputic phlebotomy for iron-overload, which not only reduced my dangerously high iron levels but took all precious Vit B12, etc with it ! ! ... This year all previous deficiencies have been addressed so my supplementing is lighter but I will have to supplement forever.

I generally take vits with breakfast, gut stuff and probiotics, etc with lunch and calcium, etc with dinner. Everything is decanted into a weekly pill box and sometimes I still forget (if I am out) but am chilled. Thyroid meds are taken about 6.30am and 4pm, and HRT at night... these I never forget ! ! ! ...

When I go on holiday I now take Dr Wilsons products which contain lots of goodies for thyroid & adrenal health all in one or two pills....easy.

Last year my adrenals were terrible and I suffered the internal tremors, anxiety, depression and all the other weird crap that goes with high//low cortisol. This year all is good and horrid symptoms all gone ... hooray ! ! .. Hope it lasts.

.

Phosphatidylserine & Adrenals

tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10....

.

Adaptogens

draxe.com/7-adaptogen-herbs...

[DanteNXS in reply to radd]

Excellent info my friend, thanks.

My DHEA is actually in the high normal range and testosterone is low normal, so I will keep an eye on them. My Estrodiol is high.

I understand that this is a journey, but why can't it be more like a fun vacation?

Dante

[radd in reply to DanteNXS]

Dante,

Yes, on the surface a fun vacation may be easier to bear but I remind myself of those who are unhappy for never being unhappy ... and things immediately look brighter.

[DanteNXS in reply to radd]

I am currently taking most of the adaptagens Dr. Axe mentioned and I take PS 100 which is made from sunflowers and not soy. It is supposed to be superior to soy, with less a better profile.

[46amanda]

I read your last post the other day but didn't have time to reply. I felt like you until about 7 or 8 weeks after I had the left side removed. I started to feel fine and got on wth my life again. Unfortunately cancer was picked up again at seven months when I had a scan. I am now 4 months on again after having the right side of my thyroid removed. First 9 weeks again felt like you but now feel okay. I wrote on this site when my doctor tried to changed my meds when I felt really good. I followed what someone advised me. I didn't change my meds I went back to him! he told me I hadn't had my Thyriod removed ( he didn't read my notes correctly) so he has kept me on the same meds. I don't think I will be seeing him again!

The best advice I have been given from a friend that has had Thyroid problems for nearly 25 years. You need to move on with your life, stop looking back and look forward.

Make sure you attend you follow up appointments. I'm sure you will feel better soon.

Take care

[DanteNXS in reply to 46amanda]

I am not on any meds, as my levels appear fine so far, but these symptoms are sometimes overwhelming. I have mild to moderate anxiety most of the time, along with what feels like electric shocks in my arms/hands/feet/face, and internal tremors. My chest gets tight and hurts sometimes too.

Did you experience this as well?

I am taking multiple herbs and vitamins, but they are not helping.

I am tempted to pop some ativan, but not sure if that's a good idea.

Thoughts?

Thanks for the feedback.

Dante