Test results in

[bluestuff]

So it looks like auto immune from these results. What do I do next? So want to lose weight running 3x weekly walking all other days. Help please

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

bluestuff

Were you taking 100mcg Levo and 25mcg T3 when this test was done? If so, how long had you been on those doses?

If you had been on those doses for at least 6 weeks, then those results show your FT3 to be on the low side for someone taking T3. You might want to consider raising your dose by 6.25mcg and see how you feel after 6 weeks, I would retest at that point.

You are correct that your raised antibodies confirm Hashimoto's.

You can help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members here. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

B12 is within range and over the level where testing for B12 deficiency might be recommended (that level being 70), but if that was my result I would want my level higher.

Folate is very low, recommended is half way through range. If that was my result I would be supplementing with a good B Complex such as Thorne Basic B or Igennus Super B. Both of those contain 400mcg methylfolate at the suggested dose and this should raise your level. Thorne Basic B at 1 capsule daily gives 400mcg B12 as methylcobalamin, and Igennus at 2 tablets daily gives 900mcg of methylcobalamin. This will help raise your B12 level and in your case I would go for the Igennus and take 2 tablets daily.

Ferritin is OK.

Vit D - didn't you have this tested as well? It's very important.

[bluestuff in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi I had stopped t3 2 weeks b4 test as tsh was minus and doctors wanted to majorly reduce t4 (they thought I was taking 150mcg and I was taking 100mcg t4 25 t3) and so was on 125mcg of Levo plus b complex at test time.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to bluestuff]

bluestuff

Well, your TSH, FT4 and FT3 results are pretty meaningless then.

After any dose change you should wait 6 weeks to retest so that your levels can settle, I find that I need 8 weeks.

Taking T3 generally lowers, even suppresses TSH and even though you stopped your T3 2 weeks before the test, there's no saying how long your TSH would need to come back into range.

Did you stop your B Complex 3-5 days before doing the test? B Complex contains B7 - Biotin - and if the lab uses Biotin in the testing then taking Biotin as well will give false results for any tests. I believe Medichecks uses Biotin in their testing procedure.

[greygoose]

Yes, you have Hashi's.

But, you won't lose weight by running. And it could make things worse. You have a conversion problem - like many Hashi's people - and your FT3 is too low.

Are you on thyroid hormone replacement - levo or something?

[bluestuff in reply to greygoose]

Hi yes I am on 125mcg Levo I was on t3 stopped 2 weeks before test as tsh was minus. Been on varying doses of Levo 150 for 6 weeks. Seems it changes every blood test. Hence why went for a private test. Doctor didn’t give t3 I got myself.

[greygoose in reply to bluestuff]

You shouldn't have stopped the T3 because of the TSH being low, that's irrelevant. It's the FT3 that is important, and yours is too low, and that's why you can't lose weight. You have a conversion problem, and taking T3 is the only way round that.

[bluestuff in reply to greygoose]

Doctor did not know I was taking the t3 but as tsh was minus dropped my t4. Maybe I need to go and have a chat with her 🤔

[bluestuff in reply to greygoose]

How do I decide how much t3 is needed without doctors support?

[greygoose in reply to bluestuff]

You don't. You obey the rules for taking hormones. You start low and increase slowly.

For T3 that means that you start with a quarter tablet, and increase by one quarter every two weeks. When you get to one whole tablet, it would be a good idea to hold for six weeks, and then retest if you can.

But, you need to test the FT3 when taking T3. The TSH is going to be suppressed and the FT4 low when taking T3, so the only important number is the FT3.

[bluestuff in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for the advice I have a doctors appointment next week I will give her the results and then maybe be rested in 5 weeks to get accurate readings then re introduce t3 I think I may have not reduced t4 enough last time.

[greygoose in reply to bluestuff]

Why do you think that?

[bluestuff in reply to greygoose]

I think because the t4 rose to 22. The problem was I started taking t3 b4 getting the full test done and therefore introduced t3 quite quickly and guessed at reduction of t4. When they reduced prescription of t4 by 50mcg based on previous tsh results (<.05) only I worried they would stop my Levo altogether

[greygoose in reply to bluestuff]

Probably wouldn't matter if they did stop your levo altogether, if you're taking T3.

Reductions of levo, like increases, should only be 25 mcg every six weeks. So, your doctor was wrong to reduce by 50 mcg. Shows how ignorant he is - especially as he did that on the basis of the TSH only.

So, if you start T3 on a quarter tablet, you should reduce the T4 by 25 mcg, and that will probably be enough.

You increase T3 by quarter tablet every two weeks, until you get to one whole tablet, then hold for six weeks and retest. Then, you will see if the T4 needs a further reduction. BUT you need to test the TSH, FT4 and FT3 to be able to make any sense out of your dosing. Just testing the TSH will give you no idea of your thyroid status.

[bluestuff in reply to greygoose]

Thank you so much for all this info I really appreciate it. I’m a competitive netball player at a high level and really want to get my fitness back which is hard when your carrying at least a stone and a half over a normal weight.

[greygoose in reply to bluestuff]

You're welcome.