Results back from 1st blood tests via Blue Horizon

[Bellesbus]

Hi everyone

I just received my blood results and wonder if someone can interpret them for me so I can have a discussion my GP on Friday. I have got a result review from the doctors at Blue Horizon but I really would like to hear what members say about them as I feel that you have more experience and talk more sense!! These are fasting results.

Below is the review from Blue Horizon doctor:

The CRP (C reactive protein) level is elevated. High values of this 'inflammatory marker' are associated with inflammation from some cause. It is not an exact test, it is nonspecific. Very high readings are associated with polymyalgia rheumatica, a painful muscle ache affecting usually the upper arms or legs, and temporal arteritis - inflammation of the temporal artery which usually presents with severe headache in the temple area. Arthritis and infection can also lead to a raised inflammatory markers. A repeat test may be a good idea in a month or so to see if the levels are rising - but if you have any symptoms suggesting infection or pain I suggest you contact your usual doctor sooner.

The Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is elevated. If you are already taking a form of thyroxine, it is possible that that your dose is too low or that you have forgotten to take it on occasion. It may be that an increase in dose is in order - if adjusted it would be sensible to repeat thyroid function (TFT) testing in around 2 months’ time. If you are not taking thyroxine, and this is the first time TSH has been noted to be high, it is possible that 'non-thyroidal illness' or other medication effects are the cause of the elevation. It may be that hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) is about to develop. In these scenarios, it would be advisable to repeat thyroid function tests in 3 months’ time. I would suggest undertaking this repeat test sooner if symptoms develop.

The positive thyroid antibody result, however, increases the possibility of your having or ultimately developing autoimmune thyroid disease, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis or Grave's disease. The Vitamin B12 level is borderline insufficient. Although within laboratory guidelines, some experts believe levels of 400-500 are desirable and that levels below this may lead to symptoms. Low Vitamin B12 levels can lead to Pernicious Anaemia (PA), a state of deficiency of the red blood cells in which there is reduced quality and number. Characteristically, the red blood cells are enlarged in this state (if the deficiency is severe and longstanding). Vitamin B12 is commonly found in many foods, particularly meats. Deficiency can develop if intake of the vitamin is reduced or if absorption from the gut is impaired. Poor absorption owing to a deficiency of Intrinsic Factor (IF) is the underlying reason for PA. Vitamin B12 deficiency in the longer run can lead to nervous system disorders - with sensation changes, loss of power or co-ordination, gut disorders and (rarely) dementia or mental illness. Lower level deficiency has been associated with a range of symptoms such as fatigue, memory impairment, irritability, depression and personality changes.

Thanks so much for your time and support xx

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Bellebus

Well, that's possibly the most sensible of doctors' comments' I've seen!

So you do have hypothyroidism (over range TSH, low in range FT4) and you very likely have Hashi's (although only TG antibodies are raised). The trouble is that your TSH is "only" 5.94 and doctors like to make us suffer until it reaches 10 before doing anything.

So what can be done? Well, a couple of things.

Firstly, you can suggest Subclinical Hypothyroidism where the NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary says

Diagnosis - cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

◾Suspect secondary hypothyroidism if the clinical features are suggestive and T4 is low without raised TSH. Be aware that in secondary hypothyroidism TSH may also be low, normal, or slightly elevated due to circulation of bio-inactive forms of TSH.

Management - cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

If TSH is between 4 and 10 mU/L and FT4 is within the normal range

◾In people aged less than 65 years with symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism, consider a trial of LT4 and assess response to treatment 3–4 months after TSH stabilises within the reference range — see the section on Prescribing information for further information on initiation and titration of LT4. If there is no improvement in symptoms, stop LT4.

You could also use the article written by Dr Toft (leading endocrinologist and past president of the British Thyroid Association) in Pulse magazine (the magazine for doctors) where he says that if antibodies present then patients should be prescribed levothyroisine to Wnip things in the bud".

Email Dionne at

[e-mail]

and ask for a copy which you can then show to your doctor. The information is in answer to question 2.

As for your vitamins and minerals:

Ferritin is fine.

Vit D - 65nmol/L

to reach the level recommended by the Vit D Council, the Vit D Society and Grassroots Health which is 100-150nmol/L they suggest

To reach 100nmol take 2000 IU D3 daily

To reach 125nmol take 3700 IU daily

To reach 150nmol take 5800 IU daily

Personally, I would take 5000iu daily for 3 months then retest.

When the recommended level has been reached the you'll need a maintenance dose which may be 2000iu daily, maybe more or less, maybe less in summer than winter, it's trial and error so it's recommended to retest once or twice a year to keep within the recommended range. You can do this with a private fingerprick blood spot test with City Assays vitamindtest.org.uk/

There are important cofactors needed when taking D3 as recommended by the Vit D Council - vitamindcouncil.org/about-v...

D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems such as hardening of the arteries, kidney stones, etc.

D3 and K2 are fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day, D3 four hours away from thyroid meds.

Magnesium helps D3 to work. We need Magnesium so that the body utilises D3, it's required to convert Vit D into it's active form. So it's important we ensure we take magnesium when supplementing with D3.

Magnesium comes in different forms, check to see which would suit you best and as it's calming it's best taken in the evening, four hours away from thyroid meds

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

Check out the other cofactors too.

BetterYou do an oral spray which gives better absorption when Hashi's is present.

B12 - 277pmol/L

This is just over the Insufficient category and equates to 375pg/nl. According to an extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:

"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".

"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."

You could supplement with sublingual methylcobalamin lozenges along with a good B Complex to balance all the B Vitamins.

Folate 13.9 (8.83-60.8)

This should be at least half way through the range (so 35+ ). If you use Thorne Basic B (one capsule) or Igennus Super B Complex (2 tablets) then that will provide 400mcg methylfolate which will help raise your folate level.

CRP may possibly be raised due to the raised antibodies.

[Bellesbus in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks so much for your reply...... Your first comment made me laugh 😆. I do have a really good GP but whether he'll prescribe the meds, I really don't know. But I'm up for a "fight" because I won't and can't put up with feeling like this. I won't take no for an answer. I will email admin for a copy of the Dr Toft article. I like to go into meetings (no matter who they are with) prepared with evidence etc. I'll also look at the vitamins etc.

I'll keep everyone updated with my progress on Friday. Again, thanks so much. I actually feel that I could burst into tears as I now know there is a reason why I feel the way I do. Xxxx