Test result question ..

[xJJx]

AFternoon , I have been on 200mcg of Levothyroxine since April and my latests tests results came back as ..

Serum TSH 3.40 (0.3-4.2)

Serum free T4 15.2(9-23)

I was hoping for a better result with the higher dose ..

I do not know what my next step should be ..

Any advice will be welcome ..

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

xJJx Do you have results from when you were diagnosed, and at each increase in dose of Levo?

A free T3 test would be a good idea to see if T4 is being converted into T3 (the active hormone).

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested?

Have you had vitamins and minerals tested, particularly Vit D, B12, ferritin and folate?

Do you take any supplements or any other medication?

Do you have any gut problems?

Low nutrient levels and gut problems can mean Levo isn't absorbed properly.

Certain medication and supplements can cause Levo not to be absorbed properly so need to be taken a few hours away.

Gut problems can mean Levo isn't absorbed.

Positive antibodies confirm autoimmune thyroid disease and again gut problems can be involved here.

[xJJx in reply to SeasideSusie]

I have both Autoimmune thyroid disease and Pernicious Anemia both diagnosed via antibody tests ..

So absorption will be the problem .

My GP has put me forward for a t3 test and the lab has never done it ..

Vit D is low ..

ferritin and folate are within range .

Vit b12 they no longer test as i have jabs every 8 weeks so they levels are always within range now..

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to xJJx]

I don't know much about PA but have heard it affects absorption.

If you post your Vit D, iron and folate results, we can see if they are optimal which is where they need to be for thyroid hormone to work, 'in range' doesn't mean optimal.

[xJJx in reply to SeasideSusie]

Vit d was 52.1 (70 -150 ) I will no doubt be put back on vit d gels again .. Folate 3.8 just says >2.7

Ferritin 36ug/l 20 -300 ..

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to xJJx]

xJJx - ferritin needs to be half way through it's range for thyroid hormone to work. I think your level is low enough for an iron panel, full-blooded count and Haemoglobin to be tested. You certainly need supplements to bring that up to 160.

If you take iron tablets then take each one with 1000mg Vit C and four hours away from thyroid meds, also two hours away from any other medication and supplements as it affects their absorption.

**

Folate - who knows when they don't have a proper range but as you have B12 injections then you should be taking a B Complex to balance all the B vitamins, it's a good general supplement for us Hypos anyway. If you buy a good brand containing methylfolate rather than folic acid then that will help maintain your folate level.

**

The recommended level for Vit D is 100-150nmol/L according to the Vit D Council. You could do with keeping on a maintenance dose once your levels are up and that applies to all vitamins and minerals that have been low and needed supplementing.

Personally I would buy some D3 softgels 5000iu and take one daily, retest in 3 months. When you've reached the recommended level then reduce to a maintenance dose of maybe 5000iu alternate days, or whatever is needed to keep you within the recommended range. Testing once or twice a year is recommended when supplementing.

When taking D3 there are important cofactors needed - vitamindcouncil.org/about-v...

D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems.

D3 and K2 are fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day, D3 four hours away from thyroid meds.

Magnesium comes in different forms, check to see which would suit you best and as it's calming it's best taken in the evening, four hours away from thyroid meds - naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

Check out the other cofactors too.

[Hidden]

Just my 2 cents worth: No one has commented yet that xjjx has a higher TSH level than optimal... should we not be aiming for a level closer to 1? Please correct me if wrong!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hidden]

Yes Rusty, most of us feel best around 1 or below. But xJJx seems to be having a problem with absorption, probably a combination of her PA and less than optimal vitamins and minerals so thyroid hormone can't work properly unless that is sorted. To be on 200mcg Levo and have a TSH that high and FT4 so low in range, there has to be a problem.

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Good to know. Thanks SeasideSusie!

[xJJx]

Well the Gp does not want to increase anything or investigate ..

Plus they say my vit d levels are fine ..

Go figure ..