Blood Test Results

[Tristy]

My Levo dose was increased from 100mcg to 125mcg at the beginning of September as I was still feeling unwell. I am pleased to say this has made a difference and I'm feeling much better. However I still have some days where I am feeling slightly nauseous with brain fog. I am wondering whether this will improve in time or do I need another slight increase? My Endo has suggested stay on this dose.

Latest results below:

TSH 0.31 (0.35-4.5)

T4 20.0 (11.0-26.0)

T3 4.8 (3.5-6.8)

I have been taking supplements for Vit D, B12 and Folate for the last 6 weeks as the results for these were within range but needed to be higher. Also been taking Selenium and have gone gluten free.

Any comments would be appreciated.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you post your vitamin results, members can advise

Good you have gone gluten free, have you noticed any improvements with that

Vitamin C can help support adrenals

Your FT3 is on the low side, improving vitamins may help

Avoiding all soya including soya lecithin if possible, is good idea too

Flouride free toothpaste too, plus check if flouride is added to your tap water, if it is use bottled.

[Tristy in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon. I posted the vitamin results on a previous post and SeasideSusie commented on all of them. I have followed her suggestions and been taking the supplements for the last 6 weeks. I can post summary of it all if you think it would help. How long is it best to wait before re-testing?

It's difficult to tell if going gluten free has helped. I generally feel better but I think a lot of it is due to the Levo dose increase. I'm also going to start avoiding soya.

[Tristy in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon, thanks for your reply. Do you think it's worth asking GP for a small increase in Levo at this stage or leave it for a while? I have some days where I still just want to sleep.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Tristy]

I would retest after 6-8 weeks on increased dose

You will feel worse if T4 goes too high (can be turned in to RT3 then)

Might consider DIO2 gene test

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[Tristy in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon. The results above were after I had been on the increased dose for just over 5 weeks. The T3 still seems low.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Tristy]

The T3 still seems low.

I agree. Your TSH is nice and low so you can see how you convert. Your ratio is 4.16 : 1 and good conversion takes place when the ratio is 4:1 or less so your conversion ratio isn't too bad. However, your FT4 is 60% through range, and FT3 only 39% through range and they should be balanced and most people would feel better with them higher in range.

Are you taking 200mcg selenium daily to help conversion, and are you gluten free to help with Hashi's? I read that zinc can help with conversion, so it might be worth testing that, it should be no less than half way through range.

Looking back over your other posts, I can see Ferritin -was 124 (15-250) 2 months ago, the Vit D was improving when you posted last month, but what about B12 and folate, how are they now? All levels must be optimal for thyroid hormone to work and before considering adding T3 so you need

Vit D - 100-150nmol/L

Ferritin - minimum 70, recommended half way through range

B12 - very top of range, even 900-1000

Folate - at least half way through range

[Tristy in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi SeasideSusie, yes I am taking 200mcg selenium daily and am strictly gluten free.

I have been taking all the supplements you mentioned in previous posts fir the last 6 weeks. Is that enough time to leave it before I do a re-test of folate, ferritin, B12 and vitamin D to see how they are doing?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Tristy]

It might be too soon Tristy. I think 3 months would be a better idea. B12 wont give a true result, it will just show that you're supplementing, but that's not a bad idea because it will show if you're taking enough.

[Tristy in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks SeasideSusie.