Tsh levels

[sylus_911]

Hi,I've just got my thyroid levels back from the doctor.My tsh level is 0.01(0.34-5.60) I am currently taking 50mcg thyroxine with 60mcg Erfa.Should I lower my thyroxine to 25mcg.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just testing TSH is inadequate

You need FT4 and FT3 tested, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Do you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Low vitamin levels are very common

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting.

If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, and if on T3 or NDT (Efra) don't take in 12 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Sylus911

Taking NDT will lower TSH, even suppress it. It also lowers FT4.

If you feel well on your current dose then there's no need to change anything but before you change anything you'd need FT4 and FT3 tested as well, FT3 is particularly important when taking NDT or T3.

[sylus_911 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi Seasidesusie,My ft4 levels are 15(7.9-20.0)My ft3 level is 6(4.00-6.60)My ferritin is 46(11.00-307.00)That has gone down my last ferritin test showed it was 54.I.v been taking iron tablets plenty of green veggies and having liver twice a week.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sylus_911]

Sylus911

Your FT4 and FT3 results don't indicate any need to reduce your doses they're where one would expect them to be on NDT plus Levo.

Do you have any other nutrient test results? I wonder if your Hashi's is causing absorption problems?

[sylus_911]

Seasidesusie,These were taken in Jan.B12 85.4(25.10-165.00) Folate 10.87(2.91-50.00)VitD 70.2(50-200.00) Thyroglobulin antibody 264.000(0.00-115.00) Thyroid peroxidase antibodies 9.0(0.00-34)

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sylus_911]

Sylus

Yes they're all low. Optimal levels are

Folate - at least half way through range

Vit D - 100-150nmol (according to the Vit D Council)

B12 - I don't know optima level for Active B12, only Serum B12, but if Active B12 is <70 then testing MMA to see if there is mild B12 deficiency is recommended.

Do you supplement for any of them?

Are you addressing the Hashi's by being strictly gluten free and supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily?

Have you checked for low stomach acid?

[sylus_911 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Seasidesusie, I am gluten free, have been for a while now.I also take selenium.No I have, nt checked for low stomach acid.I have been getting my test done privately, apart from the recent one from the doctor, I feel so frustrated at times as the doctors never seem to want to do blood tests for me, I was very lucky to have got the recent one done, as he said it was only done 7 weeks ago that I had it taken.At times I feel very shaky and feel so low, crying and feeling I cant do this anymore.No one seems to want to help me.I go to a private endo, theres never been any conversation about my hashi, s just gives me my medication and off I go, im trying to learn as much as I can, I have just brought 2 books by Isabella wentz, I, ve got more information from them than my endo.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sylus_911]

Sylus

There's an easy home test you can do for low stomach acid - the baking soda test

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...

Low stomach acid can be addressed with Betaine HCl with Pepsin or organic apple cider vinegar with Mother.

Low stomach acid means we can't absorb nutrients. Absorption problems need addressing, nutrients need optimising and then thyroid hormone can work.

Doctors dismiss antibodies as not being important so it really is a case of read, learn and help yourself where Hashi's is concerned.

[sylus_911 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Seasidesusie, thank you for your help.

[108Optimist]

Incomplete information as the others have advised. Go well .

[sylus_911 in reply to 108Optimist]

Hi 1080ptimist, can you explain what you mean.

[108Optimist]

"Just testing TSH is inadequate"