Got recommended tests done, what next? Should I start supplementing with B12? Should I get T3 over the counter supplements?

[Parkie-]

HI all Thyroid members,

Here are all of the results I gathered since May 2018:

TSH: 2.05 (0.35 - 4.50 mUI/L)

FT4: 13.8 (9.5 - 23.9 pmol/L

FT3: 3.8 (3.5 - 6.5 pmol/L)

Thyroglobuline: 23.64 (1.40 - 78.00 ng/ml)

Anti-thyroglobuline Antibodies: 0.40 (<= 4.10 UI/mL)

Anti-thyroperoxidase (anti-TPO): 9 (< 34 Ul/ml Negative) (>= 34 UI/ml Positive)

Folic Acid: 38.1 (>=12.2 nmol/L) (<7.6 nmol/L Deficience)

D Vitamin 25 OH: 84.5 (75 - 150 nmol/L)

Ferritin (Serum): 111.6 (15 - 310)

B12 : 140 (139 - 651)

Cholesterol 5.53 (3.20 - 5.20 nmol/L)

Cortisol AM: 300 (101 - 536 nmol/L)

I can’t get an appointment with an Endocrinologist before October.

56 years old female.

Most important symptoms (started oct 2016):

- Muscle weakness of left leg after a few minutes walking (limping) or exercising

- Muscle weakness of left arm/hand doing any chores for a few minutes

- Stiff toes and fingers on left side (almost not moving at all by now)

- Hair lost

- Constipation (major)

- Slowed heartbeat a few times a week

- Exhausted after a few minutes of just about any activity

Normal weight, eating healthy and have a good living environment.

Got a Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis in Aug 2017 but I doubt I actually have it. I do not have tremors, and Parkinson’s medications worsen my symptoms.

Many thanks in advance.

[greygoose]

Don't do anything until you've been tested for Pernicious Anemia. What did your doctor say about your very low B12? When were these labs done?

Your FT3 is very low, but I'm afraid there are no over-the-counter T3 'supplements'. Your doctor would have to prescribe it, and I very much doubt if he would do that, given your TSH, which is all they really look at.

However, your FT4 is also very low, so I wonder if what we're looking at here is Central hypo. Do you know anything about that?

[Parkie- in reply to greygoose]

Hello Greygoose,

B12 was tested May 28, 2018. GP says B12 is fine and won't even let me mention it is low... he says it is not low, it is within normal range. Won't test for PA.

No, he won't prescribe T-3 because he says it is normal and it would give me hyperthiroidism... What about THYROID-S and THIROYD (non-prescription) to increase low T3 and T4?

Central hypo: I know only what I Google. But if I could increase my T3 and or T4 without a prescription, it would be a test to see if symptoms go down (would mean I was Hypo)?

[greygoose in reply to Parkie-]

What a very ignorant man. Your B12 is only inside the range by the skin of its teeth! Doctors just do not understand blood tests and their results. This is a problem we see all the time. They think anything inside the range, no matter how low, is just fine. And that's just not true.

Same goes for your FT3. It's not good enough to just be in-range, it's low enough to make you hypo. And the idea that taking T3 would give you hyperthyroidism is just laughable. He really knows nothing about thyroid. Is there nobody else you can see?

The trouble with central hypo is that it doesn't just affect the thyroid, because the pituitary makes a lot of other hormones, and they could all be low. They all need testing. It could be affecting your adrenals if you have it. Have you ever suggested Central to your doctor? The FT4/3 don't have to be under-range for you to have it. And, if he knew anything about thyroid, he would know that the TSH just doesn't correspond to the levels of the Frees. It should be much higher.

If it were primary hypo, I would say yes, go ahead and try Thyroid S, etc. But this is something else, and needs more investigation. If you start self-treating, you will just muddy the waters, and make it more difficult to get a diagnosis, I'm afraid.

[cathyn35 in reply to greygoose]

I have very similar FT3 and FT4 levels to Parkie bit even lower TSH of 1.65. Hormone doc wants to put me on dessicated thyroid hormone. I’ve resisted so far because I want to be sure this is the answer. I did a bio marker test through a different clinic that found adrenal fatigue (an ongoing issue for me) and Candida. The dr at this clinic seems to think supporting my adrenals will bring my thyroid levels up.

I’m 50, female and in hormone hell. It’s hard to know what to do.

[greygoose in reply to cathyn35]

You cannot be sure that NDT is the answer without trying it. Nor can you know that supporting your adrenals will bring your thyroid levels up - I certainly wouldn't count on that one! So, what's he doing to support your adrenals?

I would suggest you post a new question of your own, so that lots of people can see it. Give all your details : results, ranges, dates and doses; how long you've been hypo, what you're taking, etc. etc. etc. Every little detail counts. And, perhaps you could explain what a bio marker test is, too.

[cathyn35 in reply to greygoose]

Yes, thank you so much. I’ve been meaning to make my own post. Just got back from vacation so now will make a point to do so this weekend. I have read lots of posts and see the low FT3 and FT4 and normal TSH isn’t unusual.

I’m taking a supplement to support cortisol levels. I have read from legitimate medical sources that if you take thyroid hormones without supporting adrenals you can cause even more of a mess.

A biomarker Test finds levels of a slew of different “markers of health” such as vitamin levels, certain hormone levels, presence of heavy metals, parasites, etc.

Thank you for responding. The level of knowledge of some on this site is incredible. I hope you will respond further when I make my own post 😀