I started the year on 25mcg levo, which I'd been stable on since 2015. I quit smoking soon after, and ever since then, I can't get my TSH under control. The closest it's been to normal is a 4.7 about three months back, which was just under the top of the normal range according to my GP's receptionist.
I am now on 75mcg levo, and these are the results from my latest medichecks panel.
TSH 9.75 (0.27 - 4.20)
FT4 18.100 (12.00 - 22.00)
FT3 5.44 (3.10 - 6.80)
The TSH is hypo, but the FT4 and FT3 look fine to me. I think I'd go hyper with another increase. This result is really bizarre to me. Any suggestions, please?
Not around the time I took the test for at least a week. One of my multivitamin formulas contains it. I think biotin suppresses TSH if I remember correctly, though. Poor choice of words on the 'go hyper', but you get my drift.
Maybe it's lab error? I'd expect those levels to result in a TSH nearer the bottom of the normal range.
Quitting smoking can have effect on thyroid level, especially if you have Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroid disease) diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies
Testing needs to be more frequent after stopping smoking
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
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 or vitamins
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. When on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
Is this how you did the test?
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 are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
I love Medichecks. Their thyroid panel that includes the antibodies got me my initial diagnosis back in 2015. I'm positive for both antibodies and had a repeat test a couple of months ago, and they were still raised.
I'm a little low (but not deficient) in folate, so I supplement that, but other vitamins are ok. I'm also heterozygous for DIO2.
I think I'll get a repeat test in a week or so to rule out lab error, and take both results to the GP if they're still wonky. I don't feel hypo, and I'm usually symptomatic if my TSH gets close to the top of the normal range.
Important to retest vitamin levels as you have quit smoking
If low in folate, taking a good quality daily vitamin B complex with folate in rather than folic acid may be more beneficial as it supplements all the B vitamins
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
I really don't take many multivits. I take folate and iron from time to time. My vit levels are pretty good - folate was low end of normal, and I wanted iron in the middle of the range, so those are what I take at the moment. B12 is perfectly smack dab in the middle of the range.
I went to my new GP this morning who gave me an endo referral off the back of those weird results. I might have a nodule on my right side. Really happy I can get it looked at, as I can't seem to get my levels under control.
I have tried a gluten free diet and I didn't feel any better for doing it, unfortunately.
Gluten free may not make you feel noticeably better, but it may slowly lower TPO antibodies
Ideally if you did retry gluten free, you would tests antibodies before starting and repeat after 6-9 months strictly gluten free
Many with Hashimoto's find they need B12 and folate at top of range. Many of us supplement regularly with a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in, not folic acid. This improves all B vitamins. With Hashimoto's we can be low in B1, B5 and B6
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
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