The bloods riddle

[fostercraig]

I am on t3 and t4 combo. Was very ill on T4 alone. Virtually house-bound.

Last bloods were TSH 1.42, SFT4 12, SFT3 4.5

Just not right.

Increased Levo T4 from 100 to 125mcgs T3 5mcgs x3 times spread evenly, if anything got worse, having bloods next week.

Any information gratefully received. Just started looking at Vitamins. My endo seems not very interested in the vitamin side apart from a basic initial screen 2 years ago. 5 years now still trying to find something.

[Marz]

I have read through your previous posts and replies. You do not respond to anyone so it makes it difficult to move the discussion forward ... please read through your earlier posts where you will see good suggestions

You can have Private Testing through Thyroid UK to include vitamins and minerals ...

thyroiduk.org

[fostercraig in reply to Marz]

I am just properly grappling with private message and forum message to get the information I need

[Marz in reply to fostercraig]

It is usually advised to have vitamins and minerals at a super level before introducing T3. So B12 needs to be around 500 - Folate and Ferritin around mid-range - and VitD around 100. Is that where your levels are ?

[fostercraig in reply to Marz]

Hell, I have no idea, knowbody seems interested in testing these. Never been mentioned. I am gradually arming myself with all this new information, getting ready for change, and the crusade I am going on! I am realising there are ENDO''s and there are ENDO's! AND hugely specialised Dr's who are not ENDO's. But some very good Dr's there are thousands of Dr's still without a clue.

[Marz in reply to fostercraig]

You are probably better off having Private Testing ( have posted the link above ) and then returning here with a new post with the results. The many people here will have excellent advice for you to follow ... so the next step is ...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fostercraig]

Even the good endo's are rarely interested in vitamins

Essential to test vitamin levels regularly and most of us need to supplement regularly to maintain GOOD levels

Gluten free diet often essential too. You won't know if it helps unless you actually try it

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting.

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

[fostercraig in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I follow the testing protocol you mention.

My ENDO asked my GP for the threv TSH FT3 FT4 otherwise he could not make judgements, she agreed and has done ever since. We fiddle so much I have about 8 tests a year, as someone said what a waste, if I was optimised would not need that!

Thanks for the link....is it Thyroid Check UltraVit package you suggest?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fostercraig]

Cheapest option for testing thyroid plus vitamins is Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin. £99

Might be on offer tomorrow at £79....suggest you wait until then before ordering

Plus £25 if you want to get blood drawn at "local to you" clinic

It's cheapest way to test the vitamins.....unless GP will test for you

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

[fostercraig in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks I have started taking B Complex as you suggested, so good to know