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Results help/advice - thyroid/hrt/antidepressants 😢

angelblue465 profile image
•13 Replies

15/12/2016felt low: T4 11 (7.8 - 21)TSH 7.6 (0.35 - 4.7)On 150mg increased by25mg

to 175mg

19/04/2017felt ok: T413 (7.8 - 21) TSH2.8 (0.35 - 4.7)On 175mgno change

08/09/2017felt low: T411 (7.8 - 21)TSH 4.8 (0.35 - 4.7)On 175mg increased by25mg to 200mg

Putting on weight/constipated/dry eyes/extremely tired. Also on HRT, and antidepressants as moods very variable.

Next bloods booked for

27/10/2017200mgthey are also testing vitamin D.

Diagnosed in 2008 and not had a steady year since - really fed up

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angelblue465
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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

I would also ask for B12, folate and ferritin to be tested, plus thyroid antibodies if not already done.

Are you having all your tests done under the same conditions so that you can compare them accurately, ie:

Very earliest appointment of the morning

Overnight fast (water allowed)

Leaving off Levo for 24 hours

angelblue465 profile image
angelblue465

From 8th September 2017

B12: 146 (115-1000)

Folate: 5.1 (no average)

Ferritin: 26 (no average)

From 15th September 2016

B12: 176 (115-1000)

Folate: 4.2

Ferritin - not tested

?? Any advice - thanks 😊

angelblue465 profile image
angelblue465

From 8th September 2017

B12: 146 (115-1000)

Folate: 5.1 (no average)

Ferritin: 26 (no average)

From 15th September 2016

B12: 176 (115-1000)

Folate: 4.2

Ferritin - not tested

?? Any advice - thanks 😊

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to angelblue465

angelblue465

From 15th September 2016

B12: 176 (115-1000)

Folate: 4.2

Ferritin - not tested From 8th September 2017 B12: 146 (115-1000) Folate: 5.1 (no average) Ferritin: 26 (no average)

Well, we can see that your B12 has deteriorated over the past 12 months. B12 and folate work together so we really need to know the reference range for the folate result because if it's deficient it would need treating. However, for now do you have any signs of B12 deficiency b12deficiency.info/signs-an... I think you would be better off posting these results on the Pernicious Anaemia Society for further advice. Quote your B12, folate and ferritin results and see what they say, then discuss with your GP.

I have read (but not researched so don't have links) that BCSH, UKNEQAS and NICE guidelines recommend:

"In the presence of discordance between test results and strong clinical features of deficiency, treatment should not be delayed to avoid neurological impairment."

And 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."

**

As for ferritin, the range is usally something like 13-150, or 30-200. Whichever it is, for thyroid hormone to work ferritin needs to be at least 70, preferably half way through range. You really need to know the range, because if you are below the bottom of the range you need an iron panel and full blood count to see if you have iron deficiency anaemia, and if you do it needs to be treated.

**

As SlowDragon has said, you also really need Vit D so post that result when you get it. And you need antibodies testing.

**

It's still not possible to say much about your thyroid results and dose of Levo until we know whether all your tests were done at the same time and under the same conditions.

angelblue465 profile image
angelblue465 in reply to SeasideSusie

Update: spoken to Doctors via telephone appointment.

Antibodies result in 2009: 318

T3 has NEVER been tested

Folate 4.2 - 5.1 (range should be above 3)

Ferritin (range 20-100)

So starting on some new supplements;

Lacedo (to help with constipation - changing from fybogel)

Iron - 3 x a day

Folic acid

B12 lyco... 50mcg

Bloods to be done again in 6 weeks

Vitamin d bloods booked for 27th October

Do you think this will improve my results and why would they not choose to test t3

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

See SeasideSusie reply to similar low vitamin levels

Ferritin looks low, but you really need to know range

No vitamin D test? Very likely low too

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

As others have said, essential to know if you have high antibodies, i.e. Hashimoto's (also known as autoimmune thyroid disease). About 90% of hypothyroidism in UK is due to Hashimoto's.

If you have Hashimoto's then hidden food intolerances may be causing issues, most common by far is gluten. Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms. Very, very many of us here find it really helps and can slowly lower antibodies.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/why-changi...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

angelblue465 profile image
angelblue465 in reply to SlowDragon

Update: spoken to Doctors via telephone appointment.

Antibodies result in 2009: 318

T3 has NEVER been tested

Folate 4.2 - 5.1 (range should be above 3)

Ferritin (range 20-100)

So starting on some new supplements;

Lacedo (to help with constipation - changing from fybogel)

Iron - 3 x a day

Folic acid

B12 lyco... 50mcg

Bloods to be done again in 6 weeks

Vitamin d bloods booked for 27th October

Do you think this will improve my results and why would they not choose to test t3

angelblue465 profile image
angelblue465

Never been told about fasting blood tests, or even under same conditions. I always take my levothyroxine in a morning and fit in my bloods before or after work, so times vary and what I’ve eaten vary too! Thank you for your help, I just want to start feeling human again, but what you’ve said so far makes sense. I will ask for my last antibodies results and post tomorrow, as think I’ve had them done.

angelblue465 profile image
angelblue465

Will get an appointment ASAP and let you guys know. Thank you 😊 (it all makes perfect sense)

angelblue465 profile image
angelblue465

Update: spoken to Doctors via telephone appointment.

Antibodies result in 2009: 318

T3 has NEVER been tested

Folate 4.2 - 5.1 (range should be above 3)

Ferritin (range 20-100)

So starting on some new supplements;

Lacedo (to help with constipation - changing from fybogel)

Iron - 3 x a day

Folic acid

B12 lyco... 50mcg

Bloods to be done again in 6 weeks

Vitamin d bloods booked for 27th October

Do you think this will improve my results and why would they not choose to test t3

angelblue465 profile image
angelblue465

Update: spoken to Doctors via telephone appointment.

Antibodies result in 2009: 318

T3 has NEVER been tested

Folate 4.2 - 5.1 (range should be above 3)

Ferritin (range 20-100)

So starting on some new supplements;

Lacedo (to help with constipation - changing from fybogel)

Iron - 3 x a day

Folic acid

B12 lyco... 50mcg

Bloods to be done again in 6 weeks

Vitamin d bloods booked for 27th October

Do you think this will improve my results and why would they not choose to test t3

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

They don't test T3 because of cost

Don't understand what's happening about low B12.

Is GP running more tests, giving injections?

If not you will need to supplement.

You can test FT3.privately

Suggest you improve vitamins and perhaps run private tests your self after you get GP retests in 6 weeks

You have Hashimoto's- diagnosed by raised antibodies

With Hashimoto's then hidden food intolerances may be causing issues, most common by far is gluten. Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms. Very, very many of us here find it really helps and can slowly lower antibodies.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/why-changi...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

Low stomach acid can be an issue

Lots of posts on here about how to improve with Apple cider vinegar or Betaine HCL

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Other things to help heal gut lining

Bone broth

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Probiotics

carolinasthyroidinstitute.c...

Great film definitely shows why just testing TSH is inadequate

drbradshook.com/understandi...

angelblue465 profile image
angelblue465

Thanks

I’ve been given b12 50mcg - tablets to take once a day, but my doctor was quite evasive when I said I’d got advise from elsewhere. I asked which doctor in my surgery has a specialist interest in thyroid and we don’t have one locally, so I suggested he send me to see the specialist - he said we would see after my next bloods?!?

Doctor doesn’t see in my results that I have anemia but has given me ferrous fumarate - 3 times a day

I felt your advice has given me some confidence to stand up and get some confidence - very much appreciated

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