Please help with blood test results.

[Hendie]

I’d appreciate advice on what actions to take regarding my blood test results. I’m really surprised by some results being high (I’m assuming that’s not a good thing) but I don’t feel hyper or anything. Others are low which again I’m not sure if I need to take action. Regarding medication I’m currently taking 2 grains of Thiroyd, multi vits and B12 (which I’m sure I can now reduce) any guidance is most welcome. Many thanks.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Hendie

Looking at your thyroid results, your FT3 is slightly over range. When did you take your last dose of NDT before the test?

Thyroid antibodies are within range so don't indicate autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashi's) but are quite high so worth repeating at some point.

Your B12 at 577pmol/L = 781pg/ml. 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."

So your B12 is fine and you can maybe reduce to a maintenance dose. If you're taking it daily, maybe just take it once or twice a week. But if you are taking a B Complex, which you should if you take B12, and is a good thyroid/adrenal support supplement anyway, then the B12 in the B Complex could very well be enough for a maintenance dose.

Folate is slightly lower than the minimum half way through range recommended (35+ with that range). If taking a B Complex, check that it contains methylfolate, that should help raise your level, as can including folate rich foods in your diet.

Vit D isn't bad but the Vit D Council recommends a level of 125nmol/L and the Vit D Society recommends a level between 100-150nmol/L, so you might want to consider improving your level.

Check your multivitamin, does it contain iron, or calcium, or iodine? These all must be tested before supplementing, and only supplemented if deficient. Multivits are generally a waste of time and money, they contain too little of anything to be of use where we have low levels, and usually contain the least absorbant and cheapest of active ingredients.

[Hendie]

Hello, I took my NDT about 26 hours before the blood test.

I don’t have hashimotos? I’ve been told by 3 docs that I do so I’m really confused about that? I didn’t think it could go away?

Do you think I need to reduce my NDT? Are the results saying I’m hyper?

Thank you so much.

[greygoose in reply to Hendie]

That's too long. It should only be 8 to 12 hours. So, you have a false 'low' FT3 there! If I were you, I'd cut down by 1/4 grain.

You possibly do have Hashi's, if three docs said so! Antibodies fluctuate, so you must have caught them on their day off with that test. Hashi's doesn't go away. But, I doubt if what we're seeing here is a Hashi's 'hyper' swing, because the FT4 is too low. Best to lower your NDT, as I said, and see what happens on the next test.

But, no, the results are not showing you're hyper. If you're hypo, or with NDT, you can't actually go 'hyper'. It's either over-medication or a Hashi's 'hyper' swing.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hendie]

As Greygoose says, your FT3 is showing lower than it would do if you'd left the advised time gap of 8-12 hours, so a dose reduction would be a good idea.

Have you had positive antibody tests before then? If you have then fair enough, the 3 doctors were correct, they're just not over range at the moment.

[Hendie in reply to SeasideSusie]

I was excited for a minute that i could be cured of hashis then but yes I’ve had 3 tests, not because I wanted too but because I moved countries and they insist on doing it all again (like the don’t believe me🙄)

So I take it adding T3 is not a good idea then? I was hoping for the energy boost as I’m always so tired.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hendie]

No, you can't add T3 with those results. I take T3, it doesn't give me an energy boost

I wonder if you'd be better with a Levo/T3 combination. I need both FT4 and FT3 balanced at around 75% of range with Levo/T3 combo, low FT4 floors me.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As you have Hashimoto's are you on strictly gluten free diet?

If not, this can significantly help with improving symptoms and possibly help with weight loss too

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten.

Dairy is second most common.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms and help gut heal

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy online for under £20, just to rule it out first

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...