Medicheck results

[Sunnydevon]

Could someone help me understand my recent results please? My last results in Feb were TSH 0.04 FT3 3.5 (3.1-6.8) auto antibodies 24- less than 100.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Sunnydevon

On my tablet those results are too small and too feint to read. Can you please redo your picture and zoom in or type out your results.

Thanks.

[Sunnydevon in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes, was worried it was too small.x

[greygoose]

FT4 24.5 (12-22)! Very important to look at the FT4 and the FT3 together. And, they tell you that you have a conversion problem. Your FT4 is way over the top of the range, but your FT3 is right down the bottom. So, that's where your problem lies. You need a much reduced dose of levo and some T3 added.

Your B12 is too low, your ferritin is much too low at 46.2, and your vit d is under-range. That could be why your conversion is so poor. Are you supplementing any of these?

[Sunnydevon in reply to greygoose]

Hi grey goose, I’m not supplementing as wanted to check levels first. How would I know how to reduce levo and include t3? Should I wait to see if getting my ferritin b12 and vit d up first and see if that helps. I don’t feel too bad in myself but a bit anxious and have sore stomach. That may not be anything to do with thyroid though. Endoscopy showed grade 3 lax valve in tummy. I stopped omeprazole as was worried it may hinder absorption.

[greygoose in reply to Sunnydevon]

Yes, it certainly would! That's probably why your nutrients are so low. How much levo are you taking?

[Sunnydevon in reply to greygoose]

I was on 175mcg and then doc reduced to 150mcg as I have tight throat aching in front of neck near Adam's apple. Went to see ent and he said he couldn't see anything so doc said to go back to 175mcg. I haven't done that as I feel better on 150.

[greygoose in reply to Sunnydevon]

OK, well if you're feeling better, that's the main thing. But you can't be feeling brilliant with that low FT3. And absorption has nothing to do with that. That is a conversion problem.

So, how much were you taking when those labs were done?

How long have you been off the omeprazole?

[Sunnydevon]

I was taking 150mcg. Stopped omeprazole about 2 weeks ago.

[greygoose in reply to Sunnydevon]

OK, so you really did need to reduce the levo. But, that is going to make your FT3 drop even lower.

You need to get retested six weeks after starting on 150. And, at that point, mention to your doctor that you are not converting well, and your FT3 is too low - most people on thyroid hormone replacement need their FT3 up near the top of the range. You need to take T3, and if your doctor won't prescribe it, then you need to buy it yourself. It's the only way you're going to get well.

You also need to start supplementing those nutrients. Doing that might improve your conversion a little, but probably not enough.

[Sunnydevon in reply to greygoose]

Thank you very much Grey goose. I have been taking the 150 for 6 weeks. Will get the supplements. Do you think antibodies ok? I had Graves before RAI. Doc at medichecks said no sign of auto immune disease.

[greygoose in reply to Sunnydevon]

You're welcome.

[Sunnydevon in reply to greygoose]

Last question. Do you think antibodies ok? Doc at medichecks said no sign of auto immune disease but I had Graves before RAI 12 years ago.

[greygoose in reply to Sunnydevon]

Well, you haven't tested for Grave's, you've tested for Hash's. It's negative for Hash's, but Grave's antibodies never go away, so they'll still be there.

[Sunnydevon in reply to greygoose]

Which anti bodies would I need to test for? It’s all so confusing.

[greygoose in reply to Sunnydevon]

For Grave's you need to test the TRAB or TSI. But there's not much point because they never go away. If you had them before, you'll still have them.

[Sunnydevon in reply to greygoose]

Thank you. Do they do much damage?

[greygoose in reply to Sunnydevon]

They could affect your eyes. But are you sure you have high Grave's antibodies? Did they actually test them? Often they don't. They see a low TSH and just assume that you have Grave's.

[Sunnydevon in reply to greygoose]

Oh gosh I don’t know. I’d have to ask to see my paper notes at the doctors.

[greygoose in reply to Sunnydevon]

It would be good to know. It seems to happen so often.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to greygoose]

Doesn't it just!