New results - normal?!!!

[MissSusan]

Got my recent thyroid results, my TSH has improved but my T4 has worsened. The Dr has marked my results as normal.

I'm expecting a phone call today to tell me to remain on 75mcg but I know I need a dose increase. Do most Drs increase based on TSH or T4 results?

Results below.

Serum TSH level 8.2 mU/L [0.27 - 4.5] 24/07/18

Serum free T4 level 16.2 pmol/L [11.0 - 23.0] 24/07/18

Serum TSH level 6.5 miu/L [0.27 - 4.5] 16/08/18

Serum free T4 level 15.9 pmol/L [11.0 – 23.0] 16/08/18

Serum TSH level 1.6 mU/L [0.27 - 4.5] 06/11/18

Serum free T4 level 16.8 pmol/L [11.0 – 23.0] 06/11/18

Serum TSH level 1 miu/L [0.27 - 4.5] 27/03/19

Serum free T4 level 15.2 pmol/L [11 - 23] 27/03/19

[Judithdalston]

Your TSH at ‘one or below’ is good as recommended on this forum, and your gp may realise that raising your levo. dose will reduce this ...and that might worry him! Most drs. use the TSH only to adjust doses, and get more worried about it going down than rising within the range; most GPs only do TSH blood test. 75 mcg is a low dose...but unless you can convince him/ her of your hypo symptoms they might be reluctant to raise it. You could raise it abit yourself if you have spare pills...then tell your doctor what you had done. Have you checked your folate,ferritin, b12 and vit D as optimal levels, in upper ranges, are vital to thyroid health and good conversion. If your doctor hasn’t/ won’t test them may be worth getting private lab test with FT3 too as that is the active hormone , not FT4, that you need over half way thru range. Do you know if you have Hashimoto’s autoimmune Disease?

[MissSusan in reply to Judithdalston]

I've got plenty of spare pills as I request my prescription every 3 weeks.

My folate, ferritin, b12 and vit D were all low so I've been supplementing since June. The results for those aren't ready yet though.

Yes, I have Hashimoto's.

[Judithdalston in reply to MissSusan]

How do you know you need more levo., perhaps better to wait to know if your vits/ mins are in range till you try upping levo. I personally used spare pills to lower my TSH when doctor thought it was ok at nearly 4, then I admitted what i’d done and he upped my levo.dose as TSH result came back much lower tho still within range. Yours may drop too low, try just a 12.5 mcg perhaps.

[MissSusan in reply to Judithdalston]

Because I feel exactly the same as I've felt each time before I've had a dose increase, then after the increase I feel loads better. I'm tired all the time.

I'm hoping to get the results to the other tests today or tomorrow.

[LMor]

My results are so similar to yours and I’ve been wondering if I need a dose increase. I’m also on 75mcg. I am very interested to see what people say. I hope you get some answers

[MissSusan in reply to LMor]

Do you still have symptoms?

[LMor]

Yes but I had an operation on my heart last month so my body is all over the place. Saying that though I didn’t feel right before. Joint pains, feeling low, extreme tiredness, brain fog etc.

[Judithdalston in reply to LMor]

Get your complete FT3, FT4, TSH, total thyroxin, two Thyroid autoimmune antibodies , folate, ferritin, Vit D and B12 tested...wouldn’t recommend DIYing and raising dose if you have had heart problems...until proven need.

[LMor in reply to Judithdalston]

Thank you. I do have Hashimotos, my vitamin D was 133 last time it was tested so near the top of range. (It was only 50 before supplementing) my b12 is always extremely high every time it’s tested. My folate is always at the low end of the range but my iron is high. I haven’t had my ft3 tested since first diagnosed so that would definitely be helpful to know. Doctors won’t do it so I know I will have to pay for it. Thank you for your response 😀

[MissSusan]

I've just had the rest of my blood results.

I didn't start supplementing straight away. Ferritin in June and B complex in August.

Was

Serum vitamin B12 level 408 ng/L [197.0 - 771.0] 17/04/18

Serum folate level 5.2 ug/L [2.0 - 18.7] 17/04/18

Serum ferritin level 36.7 ug/L [20.0 - 130.0] 17/04/18

Now

Serum vitamin B12 level 598 ng/L [197.0 - 771.0] 27/03/19

Serum folate level 12.8 ug/L [2.0 - 18.7] 27/03/19

Serum ferritin level 43.5 ug/L [20.0 - 130.0] 27/03/19

[Judithdalston in reply to MissSusan]

I suspect that is your problem ...ferritin at 43, needs to be more like 80... will make you feel tired, and not great deal better than a year ago. What about vit D too?

[MissSusan in reply to Judithdalston]

He wouldn’t check my vitamin d as he said you can’t overdose. My last test was 73.

I’m going to start hiding liver in my food I think.

[Judithdalston in reply to MissSusan]

Bit weird dr. as it is low vit D that can cause problems making it worth testing! Yours was rather low at 73, and might be lot lower now, better 100-150. I have problems with my ferritin too, and maintenance dose tends to be full one...can’t stand liver ( even if hidden)...black pudding is ok tho.

[MissSusan in reply to Judithdalston]

I’ve been supplementing vitamin d. Dose is 3000IU a day. I showed him the bottle, he said my levels would have increased. I think I’ll get a private test done as I am curious. I hate black pudding. Don’t mind pate. What do you take for ferritin.

[Judithdalston in reply to MissSusan]

I have a ferrous fumarate pill by PureNature: 44.6 mg provides 14 mg of iron...a small pill that i can take easily take 2-3 with vit C. at one go.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to MissSusan]

You certainly can overdose on vit D - it can be very dangerous and cause hypercalcaemia and kill you. Are you sure he didn't think you said vitamin B? You can get your own test done by post for under £30.