First time post; long time follower. Please help with new blood test results.

[PittsburghKris]

First I want to thank everyone on this forum for all the answers they give to each other. It has really opened my eyes as to how to manage this, until I got my latest results.

I am a 40 yr old male, diagnosed w/ Hashimoto's in June 2017. Was on Levo up to 125 as of six months ago. For the last 6 months, I was on Synthroid 112 and I started twice a day 5 mcg of Liothyronine.

I am having issues understanding my latest results since TSH has jumped big time.

Results are as follows:

TSH in July 2018 = 1.12 and in October 2018 = 7.26 (range is .4 to 4.5)

FREE T4 in July 2018 = .9 (range .8 to 1.6) and in October 2018 = 1.93 (lab changed method to new range of 1.4 to 3.8)

T3 Uptake in October 2018 = 30.2% (range is 22 to 35%)

Thyroxin T4 in October 2018 = 6.4 (range is 4.9 to 10.5)

Ferritin in July 2018 = 56 and in October 2018 = 74 (range 20 to 380)

Folic Acid in July 2018 = 23 and in October 2018 = 16.3 (normal > 5.4)

Vitamin B12 in July 2018 = 1,247 and in October 2018 = 710 (range 200 to 1,100)

Vitamin D in July 2018 = 62 and in October 2018 = 52 (range 30 to 100)

White Blood Cell in March 2018 = 3.9 and in October 2018 = 3.2 (range 3.8 to 10.8)

Eosinophils in March 2018 = 2% and in October 2018 = 9% (range 0 to 4%)

ABS Eosinophils in March 2018 = 90 and in October 2018 = 290 (range 15 to 500)

Current vitamins that I take are Vitamin C, B Complex, B12, Vitamin D w/ K, Magnesium Glyconite, Tumeric, Apple Cider Vinegar. I most recently started on CBD oil (last week or so).

Current symptoms are strong middle back pain during the day, fatigue, heart palpitations, lower rib pain on both sides, bad mood (or so my wife says), shortness of breath. Some of this may be attributed to anxiety.

I appreciate anyone who reads this and anyone who can give me some insight into what might be going on. Thanks!

Kris - Pittsburgh, PA, United States

[PittsburghKris]

I wanted to add my iron results also.

Iron- 82 range 50-180

Total iron binding cap- 330 range 250-425

% iron saturation 25% range 15-60%

[shaws Administrator]

I will let others respond to the rest of your results. As I understand it, you have been taking, for the last 6 months Synthroid 112 and started twice a day 5 mcg of Liothyronine.

The fact that your TSH has increased to shows you are undermedicated as the aim is a TSH of 1 or lower.

FREE T4 in October 2018 = 1.93 (lab changed method to new range of 1.4 to 3.8) is too low.

It is a pity they didn't test Free T3 as it is T3 which is the most important. The FT4 should be nearer 3.8 also shows you are on an insufficient dose.

The equivalent of 10mcg of liothyronine is approx between 30 to 50mcg of levothyroxine.

This is a link from one of our Advisers, who sadly for us, had an accident and died. The following is from part of his archived website:

web.archive.org/web/2010122...

When taking T4/T3 combination, research has shown that a 4:1 or 3:1 is recommended. I think your overall dose is too low as the aim is a TSH of 1 or lower with both FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of the ranges.

The Adviser above would never prescribe levothyroxine only NDT (natural dessicated thyroid hormones) or T3 alone for thyroid hormone resistant patients.

Do you take your thyroid hormones on an empty stomach with one full glass of water and wait about an hour before eating? You can also take the T4 and T3 together. T4 (levothyroxine) is an inactive hormone and it has to convert to T3. T3 (liothyronine) is the Active thyroid hormone needed in our millions of T3 receptor cells in order for us to function normally.

(I am not medically qualified but had undiagnosed hypothyroidism).

[greygoose]

Did you stop the B complex for a few days before the test? If not, it could be the biotin skewing the results.

T3 uptake is an outmoded test that doesn't give you any useful information. What you need is an FT3 test to know if you're on the right dose of T3.

When taking T3, you can expect your FT4 to be low.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to greygoose]

Not everyone finds FT4 is low when on T3.

Some of us need FT4 and FT3 high

[greygoose in reply to SlowDragon]

Agreed, but get the FT3 right first.