Private Blood results-Thyroid Function etc

[AngelaC66]

Results from recommended lab

[steviecat]

Hi Angela. I'm no expert - hopefully someone with a better understanding than me will respond. However, to start the ball rolling, this is what I can see: Your TSH is low - slightly supressed - not a problem in itself. However, your total T4 and Free T4 are high, but that doesn't appear to be reflected in your Free T3, which is low. It appears that you are not converting T4 to T3 very well.

This could be explained by a number of things: Your Vit B12 could be higher - it really should be around 500 (If I remember correctly - you can search the site for a definitive answer to that) So you should start supplementing with sublingual Methylcobalamin - Natural Factors is a good one.

Also, your Folate is below range. It is an important co-factor that should ideally be at least half-way through the range. Folate (Vit B9) can be found in foods such as, Avoccado, lettuce and lentils. However, you should supplement - avoid Folic acid. Go for the natural form. (Again, search the site for advice on Folate)

The other crucial co-factor is Vitamin D. You haven't been tested, but you need to get this number. Many, many are deficient some, like me, badly so.

You have also tested positive for antibodies. This would indicate Hashimoto's and Graves. Antibodies attack the thyroid. Some will benefit from a gluten free diet and supplementing with Selenium to lower antibodies. I have Hashimoto's, but I don't know much about antibodies - especially Graves, which is the hyper version of thyroid disease antibodies.

You also have an above range CRP marker. This can indicate inflamation in the body. But this can be due to overwork, cold, flu, rheumatism, viral or fungal infections. A good idea to see your GP on this to put your mind at rest.

It is going to be important to get your meds right. I probably haven't been of much help. A little information is sometimes worse than none at all, but I wanted to say something that might point you in the right direction. I do hope someone with more knowledge than me answers your post. If not, please post again.

Take care Best. S.

[AngelaC66 in reply to steviecat]

Thankyou very much Steviecat for the reply really appreciated. Will have a look at folate and B12 I have had my VitD done at beginning of April at Gp Surgery and result was 82.4nmol/L

A friend as mentioned to me also about Hashimotos. GPs or Endo have never mentioned this.

[steviecat in reply to AngelaC66]

My Pleasure, Angela. Armed with your latest blood tests showing elevated antibodies, your GP or endo better had take notice! You might also mention that you don't seem to be converting T4 to T3 very well. As far as Vit D is concerned, was it D3? Also, do you have the actual ranges for D results?

[AngelaC66]

This is what it says on my notes on Surgery system online

Test result Serum Total 25-hydroxy Vit D Level report, normal, nor further action.

Serum total-hydroxy VitD level 82.4nmol/L

Total 250H VitD <30nmol/L indicates defiancy

30-50nmol/L indicates insuffiency

>50nmol/L indicates VitD sufficiency

Can you make any sense of that steviecat. And yes as far as I know it was VitaminD3

I was taking 5000nmol/L VItD3 daily for over 12 math so just recently I have started taking every other day so i don't take too much

[bluebug in reply to AngelaC66]

Your vitamin D level is sufficient as it is above 50nmol/L.

However on this forum we state it should be over 75nmol/L, as the sufficient boundary varies over the country. Ideally you want your level to be around 100nmol/L. This is because those with thyroid issues and autoimmune diseases find that higher vitamin D levels make you feel better, and reduces signs and symptoms.

Your vitamin D level should be under 150nmol/L that way if you are ever lucky enough to go on a nice holiday in the sun your vitamin D level won't reach a toxic amount.

The GP won't bother mentioning about Hashimotos as the treatment is the same as for hypothyroidism. However this ignores the fact you are more likely to have other autoimmune diseases than if you were hypothyroid alone plus the things SlowDragon has mentioned.

In regards to the T4 to T3 conversion - some people are poor converters whether they have Hashimotos or not, so you need to find an endo who isn't a diabetes specialist and actually understands about T3.

[AngelaC66 in reply to bluebug]

Thankyou bluebug.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You have Hashimoto's, as shown by high TPO antibodies.

Very many of us find changing to strictly gluten free diet can help improve symptoms and reduce antibodies slowly over time. Sometimes going gluten free gives instant obvious improvements, sometimes a more gradual subtle change.

Gut issues are common with Hashimoto's, leading to low vitamin levels. A good probiotic may help too.

Don't expect your GP to be aware of gut connections

See The Thyroid Pharmacist website for masses of info on diet & gut, gluten & supplements

[AngelaC66 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou Slowdragon. I've actually just started taking a probiotic it was £46 for 60tablets suppose to take 2 a day but I've just started on 1 a day. I've also ordered some kefir grains and I'm eating plenty live natural yoghurt now. Felling rather unwell today. Very racey , my heart feels like it's going to jump out of my chest.

[AngelaC66 in reply to AngelaC66]

When I see the Endo I'm hoping that he will trial me on T3 if not I will tell him to sign me off and I will look round for a private endo or dr that will do more. 14 years of this is long enough and now I have perrimenopause also on top!!!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to AngelaC66]

You may need consider reducing Levo as your gut function improves. Your FT4 is right at top of range.

But reducing Levo needs to be done very slowly- 12.5 mcg or 25 mcg max ideally and wait 6-8 weeks

I found I have needed to reduce Levo dose when I improved vitamin D, lowered antibodies by half (after now year gluten free) & gut function improving with probiotic.

I got viridian daily powder (I can't swallow tablets) £18 for approx month dosing

[AngelaC66 in reply to SlowDragon]

Oh I will look into the Viridian. I also need to look into getting some folate and up my B12

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to AngelaC66]

A good B complex will help with both. Look for one with folate rather than cheaper folic acid - e.g. Jarrows B right or Thorne B

[AngelaC66 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi, I reduced down my dose about a week ago. I was on 200 but had some 25mg tablets left from before so I have been using those then cutting one in half with the pill cutter. Only got a few left so I have made an appointment with a GP. I did make a repeat prescription and requested could I also have 50 and 25mg besides the 100mg ones as I dropped to 187.50 the surgery receptionist rang me to say the GP has done your prescription but for 100 only has your on 200mg not 187.50

That's what I'm up against

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to AngelaC66]

Gp ought to be keen for a lower dose - ask for 25mcg pills

You can alternate dose rather than cut pills - e.g. 150/175 averages at 162.5

Always make sure all Levo is same brand with each prescription

[AngelaC66 in reply to SlowDragon]

Oh I didnt realise about the same brand Levo. At minute it's that Tevu brand. Thankyou for info.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to AngelaC66]

Well Teva might be causing problem.

If you search on here very many people are having great trouble with it. It's newly formulated and does not seem to work for many. But it's cheap so is being handed out unless patient rejects it

You can take it back to pharmacy saying it does not agree with you and ask for previous brand as immediate replacement.

Also send in a "yellow card" to flag it as causing you problem

Lots on here have done same

[AngelaC66 in reply to SlowDragon]

Oh interesting. All my mess are now that brand. I take a couple of amitriptyline on an evening and they are same brand. What's a yellow card and how do I do that 😀

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to AngelaC66]

Here's the website

yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

[shaws Administrator in reply to SlowDragon]

Angelica took hormones before the blood test and it wasn't a fasting test so results may be skewed.