Newbie

[Lolanumber4]

Hi..recently diagnosed and taking leveroxine50 mf for 5 weeks now..just got blood results from my doctors reception:

T4 9.1

TSH 12.3

ANTIBODY LEVEL more than 1.300

Iron 12

Not sure what any of it means..appointment to see endocrine clinic end of July...cholesterol was 6.5 ..I'm 66 and only found all this out due to routine bloodtest.

[Lolanumber4]

Sorry typo 50 mg

[Clutter in reply to Lolanumber4]

Lolanumber4,

It's 50mcg.

I'm assuming the thyroid results are from when you were diagnosed and before you started taking 50mcg Levothyroxine. TSH 12.3 is overtly hypothyroid. You haven't included the lab ref range (figures in brackets after results) so I can't tell whether FT4 9.1 is below or in range.

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 1.0 or lower with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted.

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

For maximum absorption Levothyroxine should be taken with water 1 hour before, or 2 hours after, food and drink, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements, and 4 hours away from calcium, iron, vitamin D supplements, magnesium and oestrogen.

It takes 7-10 days for Levothyroxine to be absorbed before it starts working and it will take up to six weeks to feel the full impact of the dose. Symptoms may lag behind good biochemistry by several months.

You should have a follow up thyroid test 6-8 weeks after starting Levothyroxine. Arrange an early morning and fasting (water only) blood draw when TSH is highest, and take Levothyroxine after your blood draw.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Iron 12 is meaningless without the lab ref range.

[Lolanumber4 in reply to Clutter]

Sorry that's all she gave me for results..and nurse knew nothing about low thyroid either .😑

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Lolanumber4]

I think that will be 50mcg Lola

Can you please post the reference ranges for your test results as ranges vary from lab to lab so we don't know where you lie within your lab's range.

However, your TSH is definitely high. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it is needed for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges if that is where you feel well. Your FT4 is either very low or under range.

Hopefully you've been given an increase in Levo.

Your ferritin also looks very low. It needs to be at least 70 for thyroid hormone to work properly and it's recommended that it should be half way through it's range.

Please confirm that your Antibodies are more than 1300 (one thousand three hundred) rather than 1.300

[Lolanumber4 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I'll have to ask again they charge £3 for a printout bit ill pay for one...I thought she said 1.300 but maybe it was 1300...when you have no idea what the figures mean it's not easy to understand..and yes results are from 6 weeks ago before I started on thyroxine.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Lolanumber4]

Instead of paying £3 for a print out, ask to see the screen and write them down yourself, remember to include the reference ranges.

Those thyroid results from before you were prescribed Levo aren't much use now. What you should do is have a retest 6-8 weeks after starting Levo and those results will tell your GP whether to increase your dose. Follow Clutter's advice on fasting and leaving off Levo before the test, and book the earliest appointment of the day.

You will probably need a couple of increases in dose before you reach your optimal dose. Increases should be 25mcg each time, with retesting 6-8 weeks later.

If your antibodies are 1300 then you have Hashimoto's as Clutter mentioned. Adopting a gluten free diet can help reduce the antibodies, as can supplementing with selenium 200mcg daily.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Lolanumber4]

I think *that* might be a typo - far more likely to be 50 micrograms.

dropbox.com/s/q00vyt5703f4u...

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