Interpreting test results

[millsart]

Hi - I wonder if the learned here would mind casting an eye over my recent results. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism around 7 years ago - have a had a few ups and downs with occasional tiredness but generally have not had difficult symptoms. I've been on 100 mcg levo for a couple of years now and feel ok on it but am interested to know what a small increase in dose might do. Though my recent blood test shows I'm within the stated ranges, I wonder whether there are any useful inferences that could be drawn from the results:

- B12 - 363ng/L (211 - 911)

- Ferritin - 122ug/L (22 - 322)

- Folate - 6.4ug/L (2.8 - 19.0)

- FT3 - 4.4 pmol/L (3.5 - 6.5)

- FT4 - 15.5 pmol/L (9.0 - 22.7)

- TSH - 0.42 mu/L (0.35 - 5.50)

Many thanks

[shaws Administrator]

Both FT4 and FT3 are lowish should be towards the upper part of the range. B12 should be at the top of the range. Low B12 can lead to neurological damage and you can supplement with methylcobalamin B12 sublingual tablets to bring it up to the top. Excess is excreted.

Your ferritin and folate are low but others will advise on these.

Doctors only appear to note the TSH and adjust doses but TSH is from the Pituitary Gland not the thyroid gland, so it is the thyroid hormone results which should be the preference plus the patient who should be free of clinical symptoms and feels well.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

millsart Optimal levels of vitamins and minerals will help thyroid hormone to work properly. Recommended levels are:

B12 - very top of range, even 900-1000

Folate - at least half way through it's range, so 10.9+ with that range

Vit D - 100-150nmol/L (or 40-60 ng/ml if that unit of measurement is used)

Ferritin - half way through it's range

As Shaws says, your free Ts are quite low in range, most of us Hypos feel better when they're in the upper part. A small increase in dose of Levo would achieve that and you might feel better.

[millsart]

shaws and SeasideSusie - thank you both. Will give increases (vits and levo) a try