Doctor appointment

[Natalie84]

Hi so I have come back from doctor appointment today and doctor has started me on levothyroxine 50mcg and to increase to 75mcg 3 weeks after that and a further increase to 100mcg after that and then a repeat test when it is 6-8 weeks I have also tested positive for intrinsic factor antibodies and have been given ferrous fumarate and vitamin D 300,000IU vitamin D for 6 weeks and previous doctor I have been seeing has said no action needed on any of the complete blood results thank you

*TSH 48.5 mIU/L (0.27 - 4.20 mIU/L)

*FREE T4 10.1 pmol/L (12.0 - 22.0 pmol/L)

FREE T3 3.6 pmol/L (3.10 - 6.80 pmol/L)

*THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES 375 IU/mL (<34.00 IU/mL)

*THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODIES >1500 IU/mL (<115.00 IU/mL)

FERRITIN 27 ugl/L (30 - 400)

MCV 75.4 (80 - 98)

MCHC 367 (310 - 350)

HAEMOGLOBIN ESTIMATION 116 (115 - 150)

RBC COUNT 4.45 (3.80 - 5.80)

WBC COUNT 7.13 (4.0 - 11.0)

MCH 28.2 (28- 32)

HAEMATOCRIT 0.410 (0.370 - 0.470)

PLATELETS 250 (150 - 400)

IRON 5.4 (6.0 - 26.)

TRANSFERRIN SATURATION 12 (10 - 30)

FOLATE 3.5 ug/L (4.6 - 18.7)

VITAMIN B12 203 pg/L (190 - 900)

VITAMIN D 25.9 nmol/L (25 - 50 VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY. SUPPLEMENTATION IS INDICATED)

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Natalie84 Well done for getting that sorted.

I have also tested positive for intrinsic factor antibodies

So what's your GP doing about that?

Will you be having B12 injections? Folic acid prescribed?

have been given ferrous fumarate

As your results suggest iron deficiency anaemia, are you getting 3 x ferrous fumarate daily?

vitamin D 300,000IU vitamin D for 6 weeks

That will be a total of 300,000iu over 6 weeks. Don't be fobbed off with 800iu daily after that. Ask to be retested, they may refuse due to cost. If so then do a private test (details in my reply to your previous post). Then post the result on the forum and we can tell you what your dose of D3 should be.

Check my previous reply and make sure you take all the cofactors needed with Vit D, plus Vit C with your iron.

[Natalie84 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I get my first B12 injection in 2 weeks and the doctor said I can start folic acid after this and yes I have been given ferrous fumarate 3 times a day thanks

[startagaingirl]

Hi - intrinsic factor anti-bodies means inability to absorb vit b12 - has he started you on injections? Your folate is also well below range - have you been given anything for that?

I am sure you haven't been told to take vit k2-mk7 and magnesium with the vit d as your doctor won't know about those, but both are vital to properly use the vit d.

Oh and if you are getting folate and b12, it is important to take a multi-B complex to balance them all out.

Good luck

Gillian

[Natalie84 in reply to startagaingirl]

I get my first injection in 2 weeks and the doctor said I can start folic acid after this thanks

[Clutter]

Natalie84,

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.4 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine 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 increasing to 100mcg 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_...