Some advice on my latest results please

[lili_robinson_1]

I posted on here about 4 months ago. I have have recently had more results and would value some advice.

8/12/17

Serum free T4 level 13.000 pmol/L (9 - 25 pmol/L

)

Serum TSH level

0.05

Serum free T3 level 4.400 pmol/L (3.5 - 6.5 pmol/L

)

Serum ferritin 15.000 ug/L (10 - 420 ug/L

)

Serum folate 19.900 ug/L (2.6 - 17.3 ug/L

)

Serum vitamin B12 414.000 ng/L (220 - 700 ng/L

)

Serum vitamin D 83.000 nmol/L ( - nmol/L) ????

16/3/18

Serum Free T4 13pmol/L (9-25)

TSH < 0.05

Serum free T3 5.2pmol/L (3.5 -6.5)

Serum Vit D 102 nmol/L ( >50nmol/L sufficient for almost the whole population)

I believe the normal 'range' is 50 -200 nmol/L

Serum vit B12 345 ng/L ( 2.6 - 700)

Serum folate 15.1 ng/ml ( 2.6 - 17.3)

Serum ferritin 58ng/ml ( 10 - 420)

Before the first set of results I had been taking 100mcg Levo and 20 mcg Liothyronine for some years. I started to feel symptomatic again and had various other symptoms - eyelash loss, tinnitus, foot pain, joint pains, insomnia. I am lucky to have a very understanding GP and as T3 had made such a big difference to me some years ago in January she suggested increasing my T3 to 30 mcg. The second set of results was following 2 months on the increased dose. I had also increased my vitamin D supplement from 1000 iu to 3000 iu and started taking 25 mg ferrobiglycinate together with 1000 mg vitamin C because of low ferritin. I was advised that the vitamin B12 result ( and ? folate) could have been affected by biotin in a multivitamin I was taking so I ignored those. I stopped the multivitamin and started taking biotin as a separate supplement ( because I believe it is useful for hair loss) but discontinued it a week before the second set of bloods.

My symptoms have improved somewhat but I still don't feel my energy levels are what they were. I have been doing the 5:2 fasting diet for 5 years and after a big initial weight loss have found I will lose 1/2 - 1 pound a month which compensates for the gains due to high days and holidays. This year despite no change in lifestyle I am not getting this loss so my weight is increasing slightly - a trend I really don't wish to continue!

I think my T3 is now about where it should be but my T4 is on the low side despite taking 100 mcg Levo. Does that mean I am converting it to T3 or might I benefit from an increase in Levo dosage especially if I might be converting better by improving my vitamin levels. My ferritin has improved but is still on the low side - should I carry on with 25mg iron or should I increase the dose? The recent B12 - unaffected by biotin - was also lowish so I have started supplementing with 1000mcg as a sublingual spray .

I have an appointment to see my GP next week ( she is so popular it is very difficult to get one!) and would like to as best informed as I can be when i see her.

Thanks for your help.

[Aurealis]

Your energy levels could improve if you stop diet8ng. I am amazed how much better I feel when eat8ng normally

[lili_robinson_1 in reply to Aurealis]

I only restrict calories on 2 days a week. I have been doing this for over 5 years and it is only over the last few months that I have been lacking energy again. After a lifetime of struggling with my weight it has been such a breakthrough to find a way to lose weight and then maintain it that I would be loathe to give it up. By the way I am still 'overweight' by BMI standards!

[Aurealis in reply to lili_robinson_1]

Oh that’s interesting. I thought it was dieting on 5, eating normally on 2! Thank you, I wonder if that would work for me ?

Sorry I can’t be more help. Hope you get more replies

[lili_robinson_1 in reply to Aurealis]

Aurealis I would certainly recommend giving it a try. Not everyone gets on with it but lots do. Having tried all sorts of diets over the years I find it much easier to be disciplined for 2 days knowing I can have a few sweets on the other days and a few drinks at the weekend. I also found it changed my appetite - I seem to be much more aware of when I am full and don't feel the need to clear my plate irrespective. However since the increase in my T3 I do find myself craving sweet things much more again which is why I am wondering whether an increase in T4 instead might suit me better.

Sadly no more replies to my queries - I shall just have to work it out for myself!