Underactive thyroid- I'm taking 125 mg levothyr... - Thyroid UK

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Underactive thyroid- I'm taking 125 mg levothyrioxitine

alison1234 profile image
35 Replies

Hi, I've just got my blood tests results back and my serum TSH level (which they are saying is normal no action) is - 0.76mlU/L and my serum defining is 30 if/L.

My liver function test results are...(these seem low??)

Serum total bilirubin level - 10 unit/L

Serum alkaline phosphatase - 36 IU/L

Serum ALT level - 18 IU/L

Serum gamma GT level - 14 IU/L

Red blood count - 3.99

Platelets count - 211

Neutrophil count - 1.7

Vitamin B12 - 582 ng/L

Can anyone share some light on whether they think these results are ok? I've only written the ones that seemed low to me. My surgery are saying they are all ok..no action!

I feel tired all the time!

Many thanks

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alison1234
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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

alison1234 We need the reference ranges for your test results to be able to interpret them.

What is serum defining is 30 if/L.

Your TSH is nice and low at 0.76 which is where most people feel best when on Levo. Did they test FT4 and FT3? Any vitamin and mineral results? It might be best to share all your results to get the full picture.

alison1234 profile image
alison1234 in reply toSeasideSusie

I have photographed the sheets with my results on. I want to post you these but there's nowhere for me to up load images?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toalison1234

Alison - you can add a photo to your first post in this thread. Go to your original post and below where your message is you will see a down arrow V - click on that and then click on EDIT POST. Below the message box you will see ADD A PHOTO, click on that and you can choose from where to get your photo.

You need to make sure the results are readable though.

If not you can edit your original post above and include the reference ranges and any other results.

alison1234 profile image
alison1234 in reply toSeasideSusie

Done. Thanks so much. There is another sheet but it only lets me add 1 image?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toalison1234

That's right, you can only add one photo.

There's nothing in your results that are worrying. What makes you think your liver results are low? I have mine done every 3 months at the moment and my Bilirubin has been 7, 8 or 11 so as yours 10 with a range <21 that seems fine. My ALT is 17, yours is 18, range up to 35 so again no thing seems out of the ordinary. My GGT range is different but our results sit in approx the same place within the range. Your Alk Phos is at the lower end whereas mine is over half way. Although it isn't below range, if you search it says this can be low if there is celiac disease or a deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals. Have you had vitamins and minerals tested?

What's on your other sheet?

You haven't said what serum defining is 30 if/L is.

alison1234 profile image
alison1234 in reply toSeasideSusie

No the doctor only tested TSH . I asked him to do T3 and T4 but he said they don't do that!

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toalison1234

Unfortunately, some surgeries will only do TSH. If you want the others you could do them privately.

As your TSH is in a good place, do you think there is something wrong thyroid-wise? Do you think your dose of Levo isn't correct?

alison1234 profile image
alison1234 in reply toSeasideSusie

I just feel tired a lot. My iron level is low though don't you think?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toalison1234

You haven't got a ferritin result there, and your MCV would have to be below range to suggest iron deficiency anaemia.

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Vit D

We need all these.

And what is serum defining is 30 if/L

alison1234 profile image
alison1234 in reply toSeasideSusie

I have just posted the second sheet with the other blood test results on.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toalison1234

Alison

So we have

Folate: 14.9 (3.9-20)

Folate is good, recommended is half way through it's range.

**

B12 - 582 (197-771)

B12 is OK but I would want mine at the top of the range.

An extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:

"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".

"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."

That's good enough for me and I keep mine around 1000. Sublingual methylcobalamin lozenges are what's needed to supplement B12 yourself along with a good B Complex to balance all the B vitamins.

Whether you wish to raise your B12 is up to you.

**

Ferritin: 30 (13-150)

This is too low and possibly the cause of your tiredness. Ferritin should be half way through it's range and an absolute minimum of 70 for thyroid hormone to work.

You could buy your own iron tablets and you would need to retest after 3 months as too much iron is as bad as too little. Your level isn't bad enough for a GP to normally prescribe them.

I managed to raise my ferritin level, which was very similar to yours, by eating liver regularly, maximum 200g a week due to it's high Vit A content. Also include lots of iron rich foods in your diet apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/in...

**

You really need Vit D testing. If your GP wont do it then you can do a private fingerprick blood spot test with City Assays vitamindtest.org.uk/

**

As already mentioned, TSH alone doesn't give the full picture. By testing FT4 and FT3 you would know if you are converting T4 to T3 well enough. You might want to consider a basic thyroid panel with Medichecks or Blue Horizon which does TSH/FT4/FT3, or one that also includes thyroid antibodies if they've not already been tested.

alison1234 profile image
alison1234 in reply toSeasideSusie

You are SO helpful thank you SO much.

I suffer a lot with anxiety, worry and stress, so that's the reason I wondered if my 125 mg levothyrioxitine was the correct level

alison1234 profile image
alison1234 in reply toSeasideSusie

Are those tests that you can buy to test yourself?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toalison1234

Yes, you can do them with a fingerprick test or venous blood draw

With Antibodies

bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

Without Antibodies

bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

If you decide to do one, post results for interpretation :)

alison1234 profile image
alison1234 in reply toSeasideSusie

Which would you recommend with antibodies or without antibodies? I'm a bit confused

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toalison1234

Antibody tests will show if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) which is the most common cause of Hypothyroidism.

If you already have had antibodies tested by your GP and they were high, that confirms Hashi's and you don't need them testing again.

If you've never had them tested, it's useful to do it, especially if you feel your symptoms fluctuate and you sometimes feel hyper type symptoms more than hypo symptoms.

If it stretches your budget too much, just stick to the test without the antibodies.

alison1234 profile image
alison1234 in reply toSeasideSusie

Ok thank you so much.

I'm taking supplements at the moment . I've read they are good for a healthy thyroid...

Selenium 200ug

Vitamin C 500mg

Vitamin E 400 I.u

Magnesium (magnesium Citrate) 100mg

Beta-carotene 6mg

Omega 3 fish oil 1000mg (this has vitamin E in it 2.2mg)

Turmeric 400mg

Iron

Inositol 1/4 of a teaspoon of powder every morning

I'm feeling a bit spaced out. Do you think these supplements could make me feel spaced out?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toalison1234

I don't know if any of them would make you feel spaced out but a couple of observations.

You should have iron tests before supplementing as too much iron can be as bad as too little.

Beta carotene is not the best form of Vit A to take. The body has to convert it to retinol so I would always go for retinol palmitate.

2000mg Vit C in divided doses is recommended for us Hypos (Dr Peatfield's recommendation). It helps support adrenals.

Selenium is generally fine at 200mcg, some people like to test before supplementing.

Magnesium dose generally is around 350mg

Turmeric and inositol I have no knowledge of.

alison1234 profile image
alison1234 in reply toSeasideSusie

Is Ferritin iron? If I'm low in Ferritin I thought iron tablets would help this?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toalison1234

Ferritin is your iron store, think of it as the pantry. When your body requires iron, it takes it out of the pantry. Then the pantry will need refilling. So yes, if you are low in ferritin then iron tablets will help.

I know your ferritin is low, but you haven't said how much iron you are taking, and too much is as bad as too little. Plus, if you are supplementing, you will need to retest after 3 months to see where your level is then, you need to keep an eye on it.

alison1234 profile image
alison1234 in reply toSeasideSusie

I'm taking 14mg of iron...is that ok?

Is taking iron the only way to increase my Ferritin levels? How else can I?

Also I suffer and have done for many years with tonsillitis/ swollen glands on and off when I'm run down or stressed. Could that be a sign if Hashimoto disease?...this is a good reason for me to get the blood test you mentioned and find out.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toalison1234

I doubt 14mg is enough when ferrous fumarate, which is the prescribed iron tablet, contains 65mg elemental iron. You could increase the number of your iron tablets because your ferritin is very low.

I mentioned in my reply further up that I raised my ferritin by eating liver every week (and I still do now that it's up to 91). Check that reply again as there is a link to a list of iron rich foods which will also help.

I don't know if tonsilitis/swollen glands are a sign of Hashi's.

alison1234 profile image
alison1234 in reply toSeasideSusie

My hair seems to be falling out a lot.? Do you know what that means I'm deficient in?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toalison1234

Quite a few things can cause hair loss, stress being one of them. Check out this link:

healdove.com/disease-illnes...

alison1234 profile image
alison1234 in reply toSeasideSusie

I got a blood test done as you recommended with Medi check and did one of their thyriod blood tests and this is what the results and doctor has come back with...

Your tsh and rest of your thyroid hormones are all normal.

Your thyroid peroxidase antibodies are elevated. This antibody is commonly associated with autoimmune thyroid disease. It is frequently seen in conditions such as Hashimoto’s disease (where the thyroid becomes underactive).

Your thyroglobulin antibodies are positive. This can be associated with autoimmune thyroid disease and in particular Hashimoto’s disease.

You may wish to monitor the antibody levels every 6 months to see if they are improving.

...

So I'm taking 125mg levothyrioxitine. Should I be doing anything else?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toalison1234

alison1234 What are the actual results of TSH, FT4 and FT3? Let's see where they lie in their ranges to see if you are optimally medicated.

As for the antibodies, then Hashi's is confirmed. There's not a lot of point in retesting them really, once you've got them that's it, you have them until your thyroid is destroyed. They will fluctuate, sometimes they will be higher, sometimes lower, and symptoms will fluctuate as and when antibodies attack. Adjustment to dose of Levo may be necessary if an antibody attack causes hyper type symptoms and results, then readjustment when things go back to normal. The attacks are temporary.

You can help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members here. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

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

alison1234 profile image
alison1234 in reply toSeasideSusie

Ok thank you very much.

I have a very dizzy, spinning head a lot not sure why??

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toalison1234

Dizziness can be low B12. Or something else. I've recently had a bout of BPPV - Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo - which causes dizziness when certain movements are made.

You haven't mentioned our TSH, FT4 and FT3 results. Let's see if you are optimally medicated.

alison1234 profile image
alison1234 in reply toSeasideSusie

I have put my blood test results at the beginning of this thread.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toalison1234

But what are your results from your recent Medichecks test - TSH, FT4 and FT3?

alison1234 profile image
alison1234 in reply toSeasideSusie

I've uploaded a photo of my results from medicheck which should appear at the top of this thread

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toalison1234

No they're not your new Medichecks ones, it's the original photo of your results posted three weeks or so ago. And you'll know from your new thread that the feint print in the photo makes them unreadable.

sandybabe40 profile image
sandybabe40 in reply toSeasideSusie

feeling so much better on probiotics. they help with leaky gut= causes inflammation the prodilethic enzimeshelp produce thyroxine and help the adrenal gland function. Massive change as soon as one capsule of good bacteria got working. hope it helps others

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

When giving results of blood tests we need the ranges too, the reason being that labs differ in their machines so the ranges are different.

Also it means that members can interpret the results better.

sandybabe40 profile image
sandybabe40

I know GP is general practitioners only. even if low and within a normal range they accept, no action is taken. for many reasons. hormonal variants and some possible other products foods time of the month and delicate hormones and imbalances are in place. Its individual to each and every person. one of the reasons why it's so difficult for GP to get it correct. Pluss the cost of T3 & T4 meds. Levothyroxine is not suited to all patients. side effects are inevitable for all meds. if you're on other medications ask the doctor are they necessary. in an endeavor to feel better. levothyroxine should not really be mixed with other meds. I found the research and clinical evidence and drug trials. NHS doctors hate me for looking after myself in this manner.. But they are very happy for me to take morphine patches and become a cabbage/prescription junkie, for the rest of my life. I found this I have not found the product yet, only used Probiotics/liquise rout one a day so my body can now digest food correctly. BIG CHANGE for me! i am going to try; Aswa Ganda herbs, tolsai, Basal. Rodiola, Ginsing. Selenium=is antioxidant and raspberry ket tone. I will find the value of the products and how they will help me before I buy and try. do your homework. I have most of my cognitive and physical function back after only being able to have nutritional liquid juices to give my digestive system a rest as it stopped working. Doctors could not help me as i have multiple bad reactions to some chemicals. well documented but no notice is taken from Doctors. I hope this helps all who read

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