What tests should I ask for?

[vocalEK]

Going to be going back to retest (after waiting to see if my T3 levels would magically jump up to where they need to be without changing any medication), and I'm mulling what tests to ask for. Of course, TSH, T3, and T4. I have never been tested for antibodies, but if those come out positive, what do I ask for in terms of treatment?

B12, Folate, and Vitamin D have all been tested. Last time I got tested I went off all supplements except for Niacin which functions as my control of cholesterol levels. This time, I am staying off all other supplements, but adding back in the B12 and Vitamin D. I'd like to see what the levels are for those two when I am supplementing to make sure that I'm not going overboard.

My podiatrist advised me to start taking 5,000 IU of Vitamin D after the test of October, 2017. Prior to that I was taking 1,000 IU.

I haven't had ferritin tested, but I have had two other iron-related tests done in the past: Iron (84 Ug/dL, range 30 - 160 Ug/dL) and TIBC (336 Ug/dL, range 228 - 428). They stayed pretty steady.

Some experts recommend that B12 levels should be at least 600 pg/mL, and over 1,000 pg/mL to maximize mental functioning. By that measure, my B12 was a little low without supplementation. I'm also curious, since I don't drink cow's milk (almond milk on occasion), whether I need to be supplementing with calcium. Does that need to be tested? And what other nutrients should I have tested?

[helvella Administrator]

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[vocalEK]

UPDATE:

Retested on 4/19/19

Vitamin D is now up to 57 (30 - 100 ng/mL), Magnesium is at 2.1 (1.6 - 2.6 mg/dL), and Calcium is at 2.1 (4.8 - 5.6 mg/dL).

Thyroid tests of 3/19/19 were ideal with FT4 at 1.5 (0.60 - 1.70 ng/mL) and FT3 at 4.2 (2.0 - 4.4 pg/ml). However, GP was concerned that TSH had dropped to 0.01 (0.60 - 1.70 ng/mL). I foolishly suggested that I cut my 25 mcg tablet of Cytomel in half.

Upon 4/19/19 retest, TSH was still 0.01, and FT4 had gone up to 1.6, but FT3 dropped to 2.9 pg/ml (37% of range). With the exception of the improvement in digestion to regular BMs, the other improvements I had noted in hypo symptoms came to a halt.

I sent her an email suggesting we switch to 5 mcg tablets, with 3 per day being where we start. That would increase the T3 by a very small amount--from 12.5 to 15 mcg. I also noted that I was having a great deal of trouble, even using a pill cutter, getting the 25 mcg tablets cut equally in half.

[Meaning I am probably getting 15 mcg on one day and 10 on the day I take the other "half".] I included a photo of what one "half" of my tablet looked like with the cut appearing somewhat to the right of the scoring on the tablet.