My blood test results

[scotkaz]

I am on 75 mcg of levothyroxine. I keep telling the doctor I am still cold, I have skin so dry I could spark matches on it. Coming out with dermatitis on my head face and knees. Still have that horrible tiredness yet when I ask if I can increase my tablets to 100 mcg he says no. He said that my results are normal. My daughter is the same. She cannot lose the weight she needs to for IVF. Her weight gain was so sudden. I cannot lose weight either. I also have pernicious anemia but get injections for that too. Would it be okay just to up my dose as I feel this would help me. Any advice is appreciated thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Scotkaz

You are undermedicated. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their ranges if that is where you feel well.

From thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... > Treatment Options

"Dr Toft states in Pulse Magazine, "The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.

But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

Dr Toft is past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist. You can obtain a copy of the article by emailing Dionne at

[e-mail]

Print it, highlight question 6 to show your GP.

[ABro in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for that! I don’t know if they are taking it slowly because I was over 60 when I started the meds - but I did feel better when my tsh was lower and t4 higher last time. Just struggling at the moment while alternating 75 and 50

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Also,

pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/pa...

Scroll down to "Thyroxine Replacement Therapy in Primary Hypothyroidism" and you'll see a table that shows

0.2 - 2.0 miu/LSufficient Replacement

> 2.0 miu/LLikely under Replacement

Maybe your area has something similar online.

[scotkaz in reply to SeasideSusie]

I will check. I am in Glasgow

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Also this link clearly says TSH between 0.4 and 2.5 MAXIMUM

Most need it nearer 0.4 to feel well

For TTC or pregnancy TSH must be under 2.5

gp-update.co.uk/files/docs/...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/guidel...

FT4 should be near top of range

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

Also essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Very often too low and will need to supplement to keep at optimal levels

If not had antibodies tested then this needs doing, also need to test FT3

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 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)

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances too, especially gluten. So it's important to get tested.

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Obviously for your daughter very good levels of B12 and folate are needed for baby's development

[Judithdalston]

Your doctor ( Gp I presume) would say you were ok if your TSH was anywhere between the range 0.27 - 4.2, which makes this range far too wide. Your TSH at 3.67 is high, as it would be better at 1 or below. So you could add a 25 mcg dose. I told my Gp I had upped my dose myself by 25 mcg to 125 mcg to see if I felt better two weeks before seeing him, and said I could be tested in 4 weeks time - which I did and TSH still well within his range. Perhaps not what the Gp liked but I proved it was a feasible dose. Later carried on with adding T4, then T3, going it alone ( but with the forum's advice) , without his approval! But really for good thyroid health need TSH, T4, FT3, FT4 tests done from same blood draw. Have you ever had autoimmune antibodies (Hashimoto's) tested? Also need Vit D, B12, folate and ferritin checked to see if in upper half of range ( see SeasideSusie's posts for good Vit/ min practice). Any of these tests may indicate where you might improve your symptoms. Amongst other things Hashimoto's is typified by poor gut absorption and consequently poor Vit/ min levels. Unfortunately whether your Gp will do them is doubtful, many of us rely on private blood testing by the likes of Medichecks ( have a look at their website- they tend to have special offers with 20% off on some tests on Thursdays). Does your daughter have thyroid problems too, even if not diagnosed?

[scotkaz]

Thank you all. I will up the dose and find out about FT3 test. I will see what my blood results are like after I do. I was just told my thyroid was high and handed tablets. My youngest daughter was diagnosed first. She got married and it seemed like overnight she had gained 4 stone. She said it was as if she went to bed slim and woke up fat. She is only 4 foot 11 too. She is stuck on 75 mcg too but will let her see this. My oldest daughter was diagnosed with Hashimotos. She was pretty ill actually, first test said she was hypo then second said she was hyper. it seesawed up and down like this. she was given vile medication which has a 80 per cent chance of working. She took this for 18 months then said everything is normal. Its not because she has been slim all her life and now piling the weight on. I have no doubt it will be auto immune as I have pernicious anemia which is auto immune. I also have Haemochromtosis which is also auto immune. Auto immune illnesses run in our family. i have bother with my stomach too. Twice I had to be treated for helicobacter. I was very low on Vit D at one point . So be worth while getting bloods done. My B12 is high due to the injections I get.

I will check the links and will let you know how I get on

Thanks so much xx

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to scotkaz]

Then looks like you all might benefit from trying strictly gluten free diet.

Hashimoto's and gluten intolerance is very common

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to scotkaz]

Helicobactor (h Pylori) is linked to Hashimoto’s

Do you supplement vitamin D still

Ferritin and folate need testing

If you have regular B12 injections then it’s recommended to supplement a good vitamin B complex daily

But you must remember to stop any supplements with biotin in (eg B complex ) 3-5 days before any blood tests

Always get thyroid tests as early as possible in morning and fasting, don’t take Levo in 24 hours before- take straight after

[Angelic69 in reply to SlowDragon]

I always take my medication as usual when having my blood tests. I also take B complex, I never stop them and neither has the doctor or Endo told me to stop taking before blood test. Ill try to remember next time I have my bloods done to see if there is any change.

[Madmaxi1234]

I'm on 75 too it's took year and half to get me right I still have bad days but more better days now I was realy big now lost 2 and half stone in 3 months all I eat is chicken misting peas lots of fruit weight watchers bread love my chicken on my bread lol and as much as you need all day it works good I'm still doing it try it will work

[rosserk]

Hi take a look at the following

functionalhealthnews.com/20...

Do you have regular blood draws to control the haemochromtosis? Is that what’s causing the anemia? I have very high iron levels which my Doctor isn’t overly concerned about so I’m curious.

[scotkaz]

No I haven't overloaded on iron so don't yet need this. I have pernicious anemia and I get B12 injections for this.

[scotkaz]

is there a way to upload my daughters results or do I need to make new thread?

[MrsBargirl]

Hi my blood results from last week the tsh was 72!!! See my previous post for the details. Im a bit worried as everyone's tsh levels seem to be 10 and below and mines through the roof in space somewhere!! 😂