Blood Results

[Nicola78]

Hi my blood test results came back as follows:-

T4 = 22.5 (range 10.6-23.2)

TSH = 0.02 (range 0.3-4.2)

How do you get TSH higher?

On Thyroid-s for a year now.

[Rapunzel]

How do you get TSH higher?

Some of us only feel well with a suppressed TSH, Nicola78. Don't get fazed by this if you feel well. What about your FT3 ? Do you have pituitary problems as your subject marker suggests ?

[Nicola78 in reply to Rapunzel]

Unfortunately they don't test FT3 levels (im in Northern Ireland). What are Pituitary problems?

[bluebug]

You don't need a higher TSH.

The TSH works as a signal in a feedback loop. So if you have a high in range FT4 due to supplementing, then your TSH will be lower as your pituitary gland will be telling your thyroid not to produce as much FT4.

[Nicola78]

Also since starting Thyroid-S a year ago my hair is thinning badly and starting to bald in places. I'm taking seven seas probiotic/vitamin supplement, should I be taking something else?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Nicola78]

Nicola78 If this is the one you are taking hollandandbarrett.com/shop/... then the best place for it is the dustbin I'm afraid.

It doesn't tell you which form of Vit K or B12, it contains calcium and iodine which should only be taken if tested and found to be deficient, it contains folic acid and folate is the best form, there's such small amounts of most things they're not going to help, most forms are the cheapest and least absorbable, it doesn't tell you what probiotics other than 'probiotic powder', it really is a waste of money, as are all multivitamins.

Get tested for

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Put the results on here for comment and buy the recommended supplements that you need because you are deficient.

Get a decent multistrain probiotic eg Biokult (plenty of others).

General supplements for Hypos include

Vit C 2000-3000mg per day, supports adrenals

A decent multimineral that doesn't contain iodine, calcium or iron - those are only needed if you have been tested and are deficient. One containing selenium would be good (or supplement separately as it's good for T4-T3 conversion) and a decent amount of co-enzyme q10.

[greygoose in reply to Nicola78]

Your FT3 is probably low. FT3 is the only valid number when taking NDT, FT4 and TSH are irrelevant.

That said, your FT4 seems exceptionally high for someone on NDT. How much are you taking? Why are you taking it? Was it due to a conversion problem?

Just googled seven seas probiotic/vitamin, to see the ingredients, and it looks less than useless. It doesn't not tell you exactly what is in it - what kind of B12? What kind of vit A? But, in any case, the quantities wouldn't help a mouse. 2.5 mcg vit B12? 80 mg vit C? Is that some sort of joke? On the other hand, it contains calcium, which you don't want. But, that's ok, because it will bind with the iron and become unavailable. There's also iodine, and you do not want that. So, it's all rather a waste of time, really, you won't be getting anything out of it.

What's best to do is get your vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested, and dose according to the results, taking just what you need. It's never good to take what you don't need. If you need help with the results - because your doctor won't have a clue! - just post them here, with the ranges.

And, there are some things you can take without testing, because your bound to be low : Selenium - that helps with conversion; vit C - you can take to tolerance, i.e. until it affects your bowels; zinc - most hypos are low on zinc, and excess is excreted. Same goes for magnesium. Not point in testing for that, anyway, because it will always be in range. But, that doesn't mean you're not deficient. You can take about 350 mg.

But, some things should not be taken with other things. For, example, iron should be taken on its own, except for vit C. And that's another reason multi-vits are a bad idea, because you have to take everything at the same time.

[Nicola78 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you. I started taking Thyroid-S a year ago,after research, as I had been on Levothyroxine for 15 years. During those 15 years I still had all the classic symptoms of an underactive thyroid even though I was taking 150mg levothyroxine. I complained to my Dr on numerous occasions over the years but because my blood tests came back normal they said there was nothing else they could give me and fobbed me off with antidepressants. Since taking Thyriod-S I feel that I have my old self back, though my hair is thinning badly.

[greygoose in reply to Nicola78]

Your doctor may have said that, but if he didn't test the FT3, then he didn't know. So, one does conclude that you were a bad converter. Which is probably why you do better on Thyroid S, because it contains T3. But, you cannot know if you are on the right dose of Thyroid S without testing the FT3. When I was on NDT, the only thing that did improve was my hair. But, we're all different.

[Nicola78 in reply to greygoose]

My dr told me they don't test FT3, is there anywhere else I could get it tested, maybe privately?

[greygoose in reply to Nicola78]

Plenty of places. Details are on ThyroidUK home page.

[Nicola78 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you 😊

[greygoose in reply to Nicola78]

You're welcome.