Deciphering results

[Dancer30]

I am relatively new to this condition and really would like to understand what is the best way forward in managing the meds. My GP seems to think 71 years is as good as don't bother. I may be 71 in years but not anywhere else. what are the relevant results for optimum dosage please.

Serum TSH 0.60 mU/L

Free T4 no result this time but 6 weeks previous was 18pmol/L when serum TSH was 3.9mU/L.Does not test for T3

Vit D 52nm ol/L

Serum Ferritin 79 ug/L

Folate not sure where to find it in FBC. Can you tell me what it should read or thereabouts.

B12 - docor says was adequate last year. Not sure what the reading was. Again ditto Folate.

I currently take Anastrozole daily. Prophelatic dose of 1mmg daily.

I have introduced Vit D and K2, oral spray as osteopenic, also take calcium and magnesium with zinc per day to cover this. Thank you one and all.

[shaws]

Is it possible you have the ranges for your results? The reason being that labs differ in their machines and so do ranges. Ranges help members to respond.

If you do have the ranges, you can edit your post by clicking on the down arrow across from 'Follow post'.

[Dancer30 in reply to shaws]

Thank you.

[greygoose]

Why are you taking calcium? Did you have it tested first? Calcium supplements are really not a good thing to take - especially as taking vit D3 increases your absorption of calcium from food. You could be over-dosed with calcium, now, which you really don't want.

[Dancer30 in reply to greygoose]

Hello and many thanks for replying.

I take calcium to offset osteopenia. After breast cancer in 2012 I take Anastrozole once a dayoestrogen inhibitor.

[Dancer30 in reply to Dancer30]

Anastrozole is an oestrogen inhibitor.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Dancer30]

which will contribute to osteopaenia ... can't win. Not that you'll have much oestrogen after menopause

[Marz in reply to Dancer30]

There is much much more than calcium involved in bone metabolism. There are osteoblasts and osteoclasts - the latter are involved in the breaking down of old bone and the osteoblasts are involved in the formation of new bone cells. Calcium is involved with osteoclasts - from the reading I have done. See link below ....

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Osteopo...

The above link details how to PREVENT osteoporosis .... magnesium heads the list. No point in testing as the range is too small. The body has a great way of balancing Magnesium and only keeps the minimum in the bloodstream !

No B12 result - you may wish to read up on B12 and Bones. Your B12 should have been in excess of 500. You need to obtain copies of your results - that are legally yours

[Dancer30 in reply to Marz]

Hello Marz. Many thanks for your advice. Will read your link with interest. I am having telephone consult with gp tomorrow re results. Thanks again.

[Marz in reply to Dancer30]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/815...

A piece of research above about B12 and bones - OK in those with PA - but it still counts. Most Hypos have LOW B12 due to low stomach acid ....

[greygoose in reply to Dancer30]

OK, so as Marz has explained, calcium by itself is not going to help your bones. They need lots of different nutrients. Over-dosing is not going to help your bones but might cause kidney stones of a heart attack. We have been brain-washed to believe that for healthy bones, all we need is calcium, calcium, calcium - the more the better. But this just isn't true, and can be dangerous. So, if I were you, I would get my calcium tested. You more than likely need to come off the calcium supplements.

[rosserk in reply to greygoose]

Goodness that’s interesting! I have been taking Calcium with Vitamin D thinking I was doing good! I will stop taking them, it’s a minefield knowing which vitamins to take and which are countering the effects. Is there an advised list of the ones to take to help hypothyroid?

[greygoose in reply to rosserk]

The only nutrients that help are the ones you need. No, there isn't a list, and if you find one, ignore it. Get tested to find out what you need. Start with vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin. If any of these are low, start supplementing, and gradually add in the cofactors. Then go further afield and test things like vit A, calcium and copper. Find out what you need, don't just take things because they sound good. More isn't better, and can sometimes be dangerous.

[rosserk in reply to greygoose]

Thanks GreyGoose newly diagnosed so making loads of mistakes in my quest to feel well again. I’ve been ill for 3 years lost my job because I couldn’t work. I’m desperate to get my life back, I’ve gone from being suicidal to hopeful. 😜

[greygoose in reply to rosserk]

Yes, well, in an ideal world it wouldn't be your responsibility. Doctors should know what they're doing, but they don't. So, we have to learn and take charge of our health, I'm afraid.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Dancer30]

You probably need magnesium, boron and K2 as well, then, not just calcium which will just go into your arteries instead of your bones.

[Heloise]

Hi Dancer, this will give you some optimal levels to aim for when you are hypo. Yours look good but am assuming your FT4 is converting to FT3. If you supplement folate you should use methylfolate with your methylcobalamin (B12). Those are active forms.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/l...

[silverfox7]

Us oldies must stick together! I'm slightly younger than you and take Letrozole after breast cancer as well. Good advice from Heloise, don't take added calcium unless reading indicate you should and doctor says so but are you taking Vit D? A few years ago I had mine tested and it was 26 so Endo put me on a booster dose to get it up there and I'm now on a maintenance dose and also on a watching brief at the Bone Mineral Department because of taking the Letrozole those since then have broken a metatarsal and a badly broken wrist but both because of falling heavily through rushing about! Do if you haven't had Vit D checked you should do and if told to supplement you need to take the co factors factors of K2 and Magnesium.

[Dancer30 in reply to silverfox7]

Good morning

I am taking Vit D with K2 but the magnesium is with the calcium. I may have to re think,

Thanks very much.