Help with blood please and conception question

[Mwms9]

Hi, its been a while since my last visit, I had thyroiditis back in January, although I still don't feel like myself. My recent bloods are these:

TSH - 2.5 (0.35-5.5)

T4 - 11.2 (7-17)

T3 - 6.5 (3.5-6.5)

My question is although these are in range, are they good? Should TSH be lower, t4 higher and t3 not at top of range? What can I do to change it?

I have also come accross a lot of posts and websites saying TSH needs to be between 1 and 2 for successful conception, I've had many miscarriages. But feel like my GP will just dismiss me and wont offer any treatment as I'm in range.

I would really appreciate any comments please, thank you.

[silverfox7]

Looking at your history I see you are hyperthyroid. Are you having treatment for it? A little more information would be helpful I'm sure.

[Mwms9 in reply to silverfox7]

Hi, no I'm not on any treatment, I was on carbimazole, it bought my levels down quickly, I then went hypo, stopped all medication and my levels eventually became in range, medication stopped in April this year. Endo said it was thyroiditis and it has resolved itself. What do you think about my bloods now? Thank you

[silverfox7 in reply to Mwms9]

Don't know a great deal about been over active but I would think an Endo would want your FT3 a little lower, fine tuning I would imagine is not easy. Would it be done by block and replace so to fine tune it with Levo after lowering levels first?

I've seen 2.5 recommended for after conception and also 2 so if had been me thing I would want 2 so have some leeway.

[Mwms9 in reply to silverfox7]

Thank you for your reply. I'm not sure, all I was told my levels were normal so I will try to get an appointment with my GP. I'm not sure why my t3 is at the top of the range, maybe ot means I will go hyper again? I don't have any antibodies and Endo said it was a case of thyroiditis.

I'm not sure if my doctor will even help me lower my TSH in order to concieve as it's in range so feel I will be fobbed off even though I have seen many articles supporting this lower level.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

vitamin levels very important pre-conception. Folate and B12 especially

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

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. 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 are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Pregnancy guidelines

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

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

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

[Mwms9 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for you reply, my latest results were done in the morning and fasting. My antibodies were negative when taken in February this year, my b12 was in range but I have started taking sublingual b12 to increase it, they never tested my vitamin D but have been taking the oral spray to help myself. I tested negative for coeliac. My endo opinion is that I had a bout of thyroiditis and is now resolved and that I should be ok and he discharged me two months ago. I am just concerned with my latest results from last week with the T3 on the top of the range, and if it goes over what would that mean? And then I just happened to stumble accross the suggested TSH level for successful conception. Does this mean I am heading hyper again if T3 goes up? My T4 is mid point. Thank you I appreciate your help.

[Mwms9 in reply to SlowDragon]

My results from last week:

TSH - 2.5 (0.35-5.5)

T4 - 11.2 (7-17)

T3 - 6.5 (3.5-6.5)

Or am I going hypo?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mwms9]

Have you had both TPO and TG antibodies tested?

Vitamin D is toxic in excess so needs testing

When supplementing Retesting twice yearly via vitamindtest.org.uk

Folate and B12 work together. Both are important for baby's neurological development

Important to test both. Too little or too much can be harmful

[Mwms9 in reply to SlowDragon]

Antibodies have not been tested since they were taken in February this year. Only full thyroid has been monitored since all other tests were negative.

I take multivitamins which includes folate and extra b12, the vitamin d is not a high dose and I feel better after taking it, I am very pale so would definitely be lacking in vitamin d.

Do you know what my levels show now, why is the T3 raised?

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mwms9]

NHS postal kit for vitamin D is only £29 - extremely easy to do

Antibodies don't need testing again if both were tested in Feb

But if TPO is negative then NHS often refuses to test TG antibodies

FT3 is within range, probably fine

[Mwms9 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes it might be worth me checking my vitamin d with that test you suggest.

Yes all antibodies were negative.

My concern is that the T3 is just in range, 0.1 more and it would be above range, do you know what that means if only T3 is raised? I can't find the answer online. Much appreciated.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mwms9]

Well your TSH is not low.....if anything it's borderline high for TTC

So you don't appear to be heading into overactive hyperthyroid

[Mwms9 in reply to SlowDragon]

That's why I was concerned about TTC with my TSH at 2.5, apparently doctors won't treat? And wondered why my T3 was high normal when my TSH is 2.5. If doctor won't treat me will supplements help, I've read that ashwanghanda is good at lowering TSH? Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mwms9]

You definitely don't want to mess with adrenals

You would expect FT3 to be low with rising TSH

All you can do is restest in a month or do

Get vitamin D test asap. It may still be too low

[Mwms9 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi sorry for my late reply. Oh really? From what I read that herb is supposed to help the thyroid and there seem to be good reviews on amazon, you wouldn't recommend this then?

Will my gp give me a vitamin d test just because I want one, I feel like they wont!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mwms9]

If you say you are TTC and concerned about vitamin D , they might

If not, NHS postal kit is £29 -link in reply above

[Mwms9 in reply to SlowDragon]

I'm not TTC now but wanted to start in around a month or two, I'm worried that I should investigate that TSH levels first.

I can't find the link for that test sorry can you send it again?

You wouldn't suggest that herb if doctors refuse to help me?

I feel the doctor will ask why I want the vitmin d test done, what do you say without looking like your trying to diagnose yourself?! Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mwms9]

Perhaps easier just to pay £29 and get vitamin D test directly from NHS then

vitamindtest.org.uk

Just because something is described as herbal doesn't mean it's not dangerous if you don't need it

If concerned about adrenals look at cortisol saliva testing. You might have high cortisol not low cortisol

[Mwms9 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I think your right, thanks for the link again. My doctor will take this test result serious seeing as its NHS hopefully!

Thank you for the information about the herbal supplements, I wasn't aware that's what it affected, I'll have a look where I can get that tested online as well. You've been really helpful I appreciate it.

[Mwms9 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi, do you mind me asking you where I can get evidence that a TSH between 1-2 is best for conception, I can only find that it should be <2.5 so I might not get any help to lower it seeing as it's 2.5 currently. Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mwms9]

Pregnancy guidelines say under 2.5

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

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

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

But if on Levothyroxine....

Official NHS guidelines saying TSH should be between 0.2 and 2.0 when on Levothyroxine

(Many of us need TSH nearer 0.2 than 2.0 to feel well)

See box

Thyroxine replacement in primary hypothyroidism

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

[Mwms9 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your reply and links much appreciated. I agree, when I was on my way to hyper looking back I felt great, so much energy because my tsh was lowering. Looks like I'm in the range as I'm not on any thyroid medication so I doubt I will get any help. But if they did help how would my tsh be lowered by taking levothyroxine?

Is there anything I can do myself, except test vitamins again, previous years show TSH has always been around 2.5, maybe that's why I always complain to my GP that I'm tired in the last few years but nothing is found. In America 2.5 would be high so how can we say in the UK that it's normal, I guess it all comes down to money! Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mwms9]

Getting and keeping vitamins optimal is best route you can take.

Good quality food, cooked from scratch as much as possible.

Avoid all soya including soya lecithin as this slows Thyroid

Flouride free toothpaste perhaps

Gluten free diet helps many too.

Some need dairy free.

Gut and thyroid and closely linked

[Mwms9 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you, I need to look into flouride free toothpaste, and tackle the diet.

I'm thinking I wouldn't be allowed levothyroxine as my T3 is at the top of the range am I right?

I just don't feel well where I'm at on my latest results, I've had two attacks of episcleritis in the last month and that's what happened last year when I went hyper, maybe there is no link, but my CRP is 5 which apparently just in range.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mwms9]

Yes they won't consider treating Thyroid at moment

Literally thousands on here find strictly gluten free diet extremely helpful. It's easier than you might expect.

[Mwms9 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks, I will have to try it, the only thing I will struggle with is toast for breakfast, as I've cut down on dairy so don't have cereal anymore.

The only thing I could find why my T3 is raised is called 'pooling', maybe this could be why?

[Mwms9 in reply to SlowDragon]

I also drink a lot of tap water, I use brita filters but they don't remove flouride, should I justdrink bottled water, I drink 2-3 litres a day. Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mwms9]

Most Uk tap water does not have flouride added

You can check your water supplier

[shaws]

This link may be helpful re conception. It is a video and informative:-

medscape.com/viewarticle/75...