Good morning all - hope that where ever you are the weather isn't causing you too many problems.
After a few months of feeling well on 100mcg Levo, B12, Selenium, Ferrous Fumerate, Vit C as well as being strictly Gluten Free for 6 months I have begun to feel pretty yucky again so have had a blood test through Medicheck (my GP only tests TSH). I have posted them below with also the previous one I had last August for a comparison when I was on 75mcg Levo. I was wondering if an increase in Levo is required or if I should be considering an alternative and would very much appreciate your thoughts.
FEB 2018
TSH 0.496 (0.27 - 4.2)
Free Thyroxine 15.7. ( 12- 22)
Total T4 93.5. (59 - 154)
Free T3 3.55. (3.10 - 6.8)
TGAb 225. (0 - 115)
TPAb >600. (0 - 34)
B12 186. (25.10 - 165)
Folate 10.12 (2.91 - 50)
Ferritin 56.3 (13.0 - 150)
AUGUST 2017
TSH 0.451
Free Thyroxine 18
Total T4 109.0
Free T3 4.74
TGAb 370
TPAb >600
Both tests are through Medichecks so the range is correct for both.
Many thanks in advance for any advice that can be offered.
Written by
Bella53
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You have room to increase Levo by 25mcg. But GP may not agree.
Your folate is quite low. Do you take a good vitamin B complex, one with folate in? If not you might consider supplementing.
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
FT4 and FT3 are low in range so there is scope to increase Levothyroxine dose to 125mcg as long as your GP doesn't freak at low TSH.
The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.2 - 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_... Email dionne.fulcher@thyroiduk.org if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.
If you decide to selfmedicate you could add some T3 to Levothyroxine 100mcg or you could switch to NDT. NDT has T3 in it so you won't need NDT and T3.
Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin 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.
Thank you for your advice. I have been supplementing Vit B12 so have now stopped this. I am going to increase my dose by a further 25mcg of Levo and get my folate and ferritin up by the methods suggested. Will give this a try and then think about NDT. Really do appreciate your help and support once again. Even though my antibodies are still high I shall remain gluten free.
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