Hi everyone , just got my blood test results back from medichecks, they are as follows -:
CRP HS - 1.97mg/L R= <5
Ferritin - 81.4ug/L R= 13 - 150
Folate - 9.46ug/L R= >3.89
VIT B12 - 113pmol/L R= 37.5 - 188
VIT D - 81.1nmol/L R= 50 - 175
TSH - 0.034mlu/L R= 0.27 - 4.2
FT3 - 3.82pmol/L R= 3.1 - 6.8
FT4 - 26pmol/L R= 12 - 22
Thyroglubolin antibodies - 13.9Ku/L R= < 115
Thyroid peroxidase - 10.4 R= < 34
Some advice please on results
Thankyou 😕
Sweetpea1157,
Nutrients/iron look good. Although you are diagnosed with Hashi your thyroid antibodies are being well managed.
FT4 is over range and FT3 low indicating you are a poor converter and probably have a high RT3 level.
From reading your past posts I would say you would benefit from reducing FT4 levels and adding a little bit of T3 to your Levo. Many members self medicate if doctors/endo's aren't cooperative.
Hi radd, thanks for getting back to me , because I was so fed up with feeling like I'd been hit by a bulldozer , and the Dr's not listening to me, I decided to up my levothyroxine to 100mcg daily around 6 weeks ago from 75mcg / 100mcg every other day , I do feel slightly better sInce taking the 100mcg daily , even though fatigue , brain fog , hair breaking off , sore eyes etc etc still pretty much same as before , you mentioned T3 , but is there any other way that this can be optimised , as I already suffer from osteoporosis and I know that one of the common side effects are increased risks to osteoporosis ?? 😕
Sweetpea1157,
Osteoporosis is caused as much by too little T3 as by too much.
Healthy bones require an optimal T4/T3 ratio so that old bone can be dissolved or resorbed, and new bone can be produced to replace what was resorbed.
When thyroid hormones are too low metabolism will slow, and both bone resorption & production decrease resulting in brittle bones.
Many members have low iron, raised antibodies or inflammation that may hinder thyroid hormone conversion but you don't. You have adequate levels of T4 but low T3 and as there are no other issues to address, the only choice left is to add a little T3.
After I added T3 several years ago my osteoporosis stopped progressing and the latest DEXA scan even showed a small improvement.
Thanks radd , will look into T3 , but i think more important is to find the correct dosage , to create a baseline, would I be right in saying that ?? ☺
Sweetpea,
The correct dosage of what ? There is no way of establishing a T3 baseline when one is so deficient.
When medicated in addition to Levo a common protocol would be to start T3 low, with small increments weekly (if no ill side effects were felt) until levels reached about half way through range or higher. Results combined with improved well-being and the monitoring of temps & pulse would confirm your sweet spot.
If you decide to go down this road, write another post asking members where to buy and then another how to introduce. T3 is powerful and needs a careful introduction.
Thanks radd , will look into doing that , i find that info about the osteoporosis very interesting and am glad that yours seems to be improved , in the meantime while trying to sort out T3 , i have reduced my T4 to 75mcg daily from 100mcg do you think that would be ok ?
Also someone was saying I should get my D102 gene tested , do you know how i would go about getting that done ? I have looked online , the only one I found was bluehorizon
Thankyou for your help and advice ☺
Sweetpea1157,
Everybody inherits two copies of each gene, one from each parent.
The DIO2 gene activates tri-iodothyronine (T3) from T4 and a tiny fault in either/both genes could mean a conversion impairment of varying degrees.
Having the DIO2 test is helpful if one is searching for answers as to why their T3 levels are low or building a case to present to their endo but because you have already eliminated many reasons, it may be prudent to say that you have a high chance of genetic impairment which is common.
If you think it might be helpful, you can access the DIO2 test at the link below. It is expensive and you will be required to have a short session of counselling to discuss the results. Remember whether you have the impairment or not, your treatment needs will remain the same.
Re dose reduction, you don't want T4 to drop too low. How long a gap did you leave between taking meds and blood draw ?
.
DIO2 Genetic Testing
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
.
How Genetic Differences Influence Thyroid Hormone
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
Hi radd , sorry not got back sooner , had a lot going on . Re meds and blood test , didn't take any meds , fasted for 24 hrs .
Am going to do the D102 test , need to contact them about the consultation though , to see who they use in central Scotland for that
Am going to repeat blood test in 8 weeks , hopefully by then would have sorted out T3 supplement
Thanks for your help ☺
thanks for getting back to me reallyfedup, sorry to be nieve , but what is the D102 gene please ?? 😕
Many of us with Hashimoto's turn out to have common DIO2 gene variation
Testing positive for this can help persuade NHS to prescribe the addition of small dose T3
Medically recognised DIO2 gene test including compulsory counselling
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
Wider testing option, but not "official" medical test and no counselling
bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...
Only an NHS endocrinologist can initiate prescribing T3 (due to cost)
Email Dionne at Thyroid Uk for list of recommended thyroid specialists. There are a number of NHS endocrinologists on the list
tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
Roughly where in the UK are you? Some CCG's are less helpful than others
New NHS England Liothyronine guidelines November 2018
Note that it says test should be in morning BEFORE taking Levothyroxine
Also to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin
sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploa...
Dossier presented to Government November 2018
drive.google.com/file/d/1c2...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Hi slowdragon, sorry not getting back sooner , thanks for the links , did you manage to read my blood results , your opinion would be very welcomed and appreciated please , as my body doesn't feel like my own . Too much is still going on , as I said to radd , self increased levo from 75/100 every other day to 100mcg daily. Even though felt a little better in my self and the lumps in my neck seem to have subsided a little at the moment , I still feel like I've been hit by a bulldozer , so as said , your opinion would be very appreciated ☺
How long have you been on 100mcg?
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose 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)
Your FT4 is obviously now a bit high
FT3 still too low
I would consider getting DIO2 gene test and/or consultation with T3 friendly endocrinologist (see Thyroid Uk recommended list)
Vitamins are pretty good
Folate and vitamin D might be a little higher. What supplements do you take?
Are you on strictly gluten free diet?
Roughly where in the Uk are you? Some CCG's are more difficult than others over NHS T3
Was the endo who suggested adding T3 an NHS endo or private?
Hi Slowdragon, i live in central Scotland, the supplements I'm taking at present are ultra vitamin D 1000 iu ( D3*25ug ) they are vitabiotics from Boots , am also taking K2 100mcg and magnesium and selenium tablets .
The blood test was taken fasting and at 08:40 am .
I've seen a private endo and an NHS endo
The private endo said I was fine as I was .
The NHS endo ran no test , he said i was ( going by my previous results ) within normal range on all counts but he would give me a trial of T3 , and constantly kept saying he was the only one who could do this , but as yet this has not happened , he wanted me to drop my levothyroxine to 50mcg daily and supplement with 20mcg T3 daily , when I asked if the symptoms I have been suffering over the last few months were the result of a flare up , he just shrugged it off and said no , they're nothing to do with thyroid . The reason I've been taking magnesium was because I had heard it could help with sleep and inflammation , which I get in my legs and feet since all this flare up started . As I suffer from spinal stenosis and sciatica , thought this might help , by the way it's 250mg from Holland and Barrett, but they're not really helping . Hope this helps with advising me please ☺
Just like everything else, you get what you pay for and cheap supplements are no different
As you have Hashimoto's it's recommended on here that vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function of Hashimoto's
Widely available on high street or online. You may need 2000iu through winter. Aiming to keep vitamin D over 80nmol. Some find it being around 100nmol may be better
Magnesium- lots of different options available
From Magnesium flakes to add to Bath (by Better You) or calm vitality magnesium powder is popular on here. Any magnesium supplements must be four hours away from Levo
SeasideSusie has a list of different magnesium options
As you have Hashimoto's have you tried strictly gluten free diet?
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, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test 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/2018/04/3-re...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...
drknews.com/changing-your-d...
restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...
Thankyou slowdragon , will look into the vitamins and look at seaside sussie list for magnesium , i am on a partial gluten-free diet , ie bread mainly , but do try using gluten-free products in my cooking where I can , I do eat plenty of fish , like salmon fillets and chicken , along with vegetables like carrot, chestnut mushrooms, peppers ( all colours ) mini corns , sugarsnap peas , red and white onion , and peas , and all meals are cooked from scratch , i do try to have red meat at least once a week , yes , I hold my hand up , i do have some weaknesses, ie plain crisps , and the odd meal that you just throw into the oven ie lasagne ( gluten free from M+S ) and of coarse my ferrero rochet, which you were kind enough to give me the gluten-free recipe for , but unfortunately, have not come across them in the shop yet .
As you would of seen in my previous post to radd I raised my levothyroxine to 100mcg daily from 75/100mcg alternately for the last six weeks , have just as of today started to reduce my levothyroxine back to 75mcg daily , your thoughts would be most welcome once again SlowDragon ☺
I would retest after 8 weeks on lower doses of 75mcg
Likely FT3 will be even lower by then
Then option of trying to get NHS or private prescription for T3
Push for referral back to NHS endocrinologist who said you could have T3 trial
Hi Slowdragon, i will do that and post results after 8 weeks on forum. Thanks again for all help and advice. Hope you enjoy rest of your day ☺
Thanks for that reallyfedup, what dosage of T3 do you think would be optimal to me please 😕
Thanks reallyfedup, sorry for not getting back quicker , am having so much trouble with eyes at moment , have to wait and get my partner to write for me . If you can take a look at some of my previous post , you will see if saw a NHS endo , he suggested that I drop my levothyroxine to 50mcg daily and supplement with 20mcg if i can remember rightly , not 100% sure though , but when i posted that quite a few people on here said he was setting me up for failure , so am a bit unsure where to go from here .
The bit you mentioned about the osteoporosis was interesting , never been told that . Thanks for that ☺
Thanks reallyfedup, at moment am still waiting for T3 script which endo said he was going to give me , am making appointment with gp to chase it up as been waiting since 8th Feb 2019 ☺
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