Blood test results

[Pippycat89]

I have been on 25mcg levothyroxine for just over three weeks. My latest blood test results are posted below.

BIOCHEMISTRY

hs-CRP 1.18 (<5.0 mg/L)

Ferritin 124.0 (13 - 150 ug/L)

THYROID FUNCTION

TSH 3.26 (0.27 - 4.20 mIU/L)

T4 Total 83.1 (66 - 181 nmol/L)

Free T4 14.60 (12.0 - 22.0 pmol/L)

Free T3 4.19 (3.1 - 6.8 pmol/L)

IMMUNOLOGY

Anti-Thyroidperoxidase abs 10.1 (<34 kIU/L)

Anti-Thyroglobulin Abs <10 (<115 kU/L)

VITAMINS

Vitamin D (25 OH) 65

Deficient <25 nmol/L

Insufficient 25 - 50

Consider reducing dose >175

Vitamin B12 240

Deficient <145 pmol/L

Insufficient 145 - 250

Consider reducing dose >569

Serum Folate 21.20 (8.83 - 60.8 nmol/L)

I will be having a repeat NHS blood test this coming Friday. I struggled to get the GP to prescribe levothyroxine when my TSH was out of range at 5.1 (7.00 - 17.00pmol/L), I think it is unlikely they will increase the dose if my TSH is now within range (with no antibodies).

I know from reading on here that TSH needs to be around 1 and T4 towards the top of the range (mine is towards the bottom) for people to feel well. I can mention this to the GP, but as I may be within range, antibodies fine and they don't think my symptoms are suggestive of being hypothyroid - I may face a challenge.

The above results were done by Blue Horizon and the only comment was that my B12 was insufficient. I know at least that I need to do something about that.

Can any of you knowledgeable folk on here take a look and let me know if I need to be supplementing anything else.

With many thanks

[bantam12]

If you have been on Levo for just 3 weeks it's to soon to be testing and talking about increase in dose, it takes 6-8 weeks for the body to adjust to Levo so testing before then is not going to be accurate.

[Pippycat89 in reply to bantam12]

GP made decision when to test, they didn't say anything about it taking 6-8 weeks to work. They were reluctant to put me on it and said it was only likely to make things worse.

Everything is so confusing, thanks for your reply and info.

[Treepie in reply to Pippycat89]

Many GPs have little clue on thyroid issues.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your B12 is too low and folate only average. Suggest you start daily good quality vitamin B complex, one with folate in, not folic acid.

plus if you have any low B12 symptoms you may also need a sublingual B12 lozenge for a few months

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Vitamin D is too low. Aiming to improve to around 100nmol. Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function. Suggest you try 3000iu for 2-3 months and retest. It's trial and error what dose each person needs. Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there. Retesting twice yearly via vitamindtest.org.uk




Also read up on importance of magnesium and vitamin K2 Mk7 supplements when taking vitamin D

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...




articles.mercola.com/sites/...

healthy-holistic-living.com...




articles.mercola.com/sites/...


betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

easy-immune-health.com/magn...

Your NHS blood test should be 6-8 weeks. Can you push the test date backwards?

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 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)

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take in morning on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or even with each repeat prescription

[Pippycat89 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you, exactly what I needed to know. I will delay my blood test so that I am tested after 6 weeks. Will also sort out my supplements. Thank you for your help.

[shaws in reply to Pippycat89]

Make appointment for test weeks ahead so that you have the choice of the earliest possible appointment. Usually the starting dose is 50mcg and every six weeks thereafter an increase of 25mcg until TSH is 1 or lower.