I was wondering if someone could help me with some results. I've posted before about still having symptoms of hypothyroidism despite being on 150mg of Levo and was wondering if it might be my T3.
Sunshine Suzy suggested that I have some private bloods done and post the results here so someone may be able to shed some light.
The results suggest that I might be over medicated, even though I have absolutely no Hyper symptoms, and still having hypo symptoms. I'm really confused.
Thanks for your help in advance!
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WiddyWooo
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I suspect it was SeasideSusie who advised you get tested.
Your high antibodies show you have Hashimoto's. Did you know that? Very many of us find changing to gluten free diet helps reduce symptoms and can help gut heal and vitamins may improve and antibodies may fall
Other food intolerances are possible eg could be dairy
Your ferritin is much too low, it needs to be up around 70. So if you are supplementing already you need to increase dose. If not taking anything you need to start. Others can advise on what is best option
You don't have a vitamin D test result? This is also very important, you can get separate test via vitamindtest.org.uk £28 .
How long was your blood test after your last dose?
Your T4 levels are a little over range and tsh suppressed so you could be overmedicated. The symptoms I have when only a little overmedicated are almost the same as when hypo - in fact I probably get more tired and crash more if over medicated so sometimes a little hard to tell.
Your T3 levels seem okay if you waited 24 hours after last dose anyway so not hugely indicating conversion issues.
Folate and B12 are a little on the low side and so definitely could do with going up especially the folate and B12 also if have symptoms but others here are better at suggesting what to take.
Ferritin could do with being a little higher as well although can be misleading without a full blood count as can be higher with inflammation/infection and CRP is over range which is an inflammation marker although not by much so you could have even lower iron than indicated by this for example.
Your TPO antibodies are raised meaning you have hashimotos so a gluten free diet might help.
TT4 shows, basically, that there's lots of bound T4, and Free T4 shows 120% of range. FT3 is 55% through range so they are not in balance.
Good conversion takes place when FT4: FT3 ratio is 4:1 or less, yours is 4.67 : 1
So, either your conversion needs improvement or you might need the addition of T3, but as FT4 is over range, lowering Levo and adding some T3 seems logical.
Conversion might be improved by having optimal nutrient levels and good levels of selenium and zinc. You could supplement selenium L-selenomethionine 200mcg daily.
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B12: 367
Folate: 4.8 (2.91-50)
These aren't good. B12 under 500 can cause neurological problems and folate should be at least half way through it's range.
You could supplement with sublingual methylcobalamin lozenges 5000mcg daily, finish the bottle then buy some 1000mcg as a maintenance dose.
When taking methylcobalamin we also need to take a B Complex to balance all the B vitamins. Buy one with 400mcg methylfolate and that will help raise your folate level. Have a look at Thorne Basic B (one capsule) and Metabolics B Complex (two capsules).
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Ferritin: 37.46 (13-150)
Ferritin should be half way through it's range with an absolute minimum of 70 for thyroid hormone to work properly. You could supplement with iron tablets and if you continue take each tablet with 1000mg Vit C to aid absorption and help prevent constipation. Take iron four hours away from thyroid meds and two hours away from any other medication and supplements as it affects their absorption.
Eating liver once a week, maximum 200g, can help raise ferritin, also include other iron rich foods
Vit D?? That's also important and should be 100-150,nmol/L.
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Optimising all vitamins and minerals will help thyroid hormone to work and may improve conversion of T4 to T3. If conversion is still not good enough you could consider adding T3 or changing to NDT instead of Levo.
PS - I see Slow Dragon has mentioned antibodies and Hashi's, I forgot to mention those.
Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply, I really do appreciate it, such good advice!
I didn't know I had Hashis, I thought I'd had the test previously but it turns out I hadn't they put me straight on Levo without any tests.
I did the 24 hours after taking my last medication as I heard it can skew the results.
I have a B12 deficiency and have been having injections 3 monthly for the last 4 years. Despite my complaining about my levels being too low, they will not give me more regular injections.
I didn't have a Vit D test done as I've had one done recently with the doctor. I was severely deficient in Vit D but now levels are optimal at 102.0 nmol/L as I'm taking a supplement from the doctor for this.
Yes, PA forum are better with this but yes, you should have been tested for pernicious anaemia as stated in the NICE guidelines they are supposed to follow especially if you have continued to not get your levels up even with injections (unless you're a vegan?). If you can't get more frequent injections, you could try a sublingual methylcobalamin as you don't want to take other forms that get absorbed by stomach if you have PA as won't help at all.
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