Help with results please

[Mizzme]

I have been hypo for 10-15 years & I am on Levothyroxine 75 mcg. My symptoms are weight gain, just don’t feel like myself & my hair! My hair is like straw & nothing can get moisture in it. It has always been very fine & thin but now it’s really thin & weak. I finally got my doctor to order new tests I hope it’s enough. As far as I can tell my T3 is low but since it’s in range they think it’s fine. I have not been able to get my general practitioner to send me to an Endo. Some of my problems may be peri-menopause I’m not sure, but I don’t have hot flashes or anything else at all. Can you please tell me by the results what you think. Thank you

TSH .83 range .40-4.50

T4, Free 1.2 range .8-1.8

T3, Free 2.4 range 2.3-4.2

Thyroid Peroxidies Antibodies 1 range <9

Vitamin D,25-OH, Total, IA 32 range 30-100 >30 optimal

Ferritin 64 range 10-232 optimal 50

Vitamin B12 582 range 200-1100

Folate, Serum 12 range 5.4> optimal

[Judithdalston]

Yes your FT3 is low, but I presume your doctor is too afraid that your TSH will go down too far to raise your levo. 25 mcg. Do you know if you have autoimmune thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s disease, as only your TPO was tested this time, and is normal, but your TgAb might be raised? Your tested vits / mins are on the low side: vit D is particularly poor, needs to be in 100-150 range, ferritin should be more like 80, even B12 is at the lower end of ok and is preferable near top of range. Does the folate result only give the range of optimal 5.4>? Should be over halfway thru range, is 12 that? Hypothyroids often have Hashimoto’s which is characterised by poor gut absorption and consequently low nutrient levels. If your dr. didn’t query the low vit D then he /she seems unlikely to provide NHS supplements to raise levels all round...I recommend you look at Seasidesusie’s previous posts/ replies on dosing with supplements, brands etc, and as a priority raise the levels as we need optimal levels, in the upper part of ranges, for good thyroid health and conversion( ie specifically help raise your FT3)

[Mizzme in reply to Judithdalston]

My D has dropped a lot & I do take supplements but not enough or maybe the wrong type. I also have IBS & I take probiotics & AC vinegar with every meal which helps. The folate range says low <3.4, borderline 3.4-5.4, in range 5.4> it doesn’t give anything else. So am I low in that too? I was unable to get them to test the TgAB I barely got her to do the other. When I asked about possible Hashimoto she said there’s specific signs & I don’t have them. I asked to get my hormones tested & she said no. She said I am perimenopausal so we already know they’re messed up so it doesn’t matter what they are. :(. I will look up the post you referenced I’m a big believer in supplements. Will supplements help raise my T3 or will exercise? I’ve been trying to get myself back to exercising but I just haven’t felt like me. More than anything I’m so scared of losing anymore hair! My hair is so hard & brittle I know my insides have to be a mess. Thank you!

[Judithdalston in reply to Mizzme]

Supplements might raise your FT3 by improving conversion from T4. Selenium is good for that too. Heaven’s knows what specific signs were supposed to be unique to Hashi, that you don’t have; excercise actually depletes T3 as it’s ‘used up’ , but if you can excercise do. Half my hair fell out but it grew back I presume from topping up ‘big 4’ supplements but also added zinc, magnesium, selenium, B complex, and upping T3.

[Judithdalston in reply to Mizzme]

Are you taking liquid form of vit D ie as spray or drops, with vit K2? As such bypass stomach and absorbed thru mouth it helps get levels up well.

[Mizzme in reply to Judithdalston]

I’m taking 1000 iu D3/K2 45 mcg mk4 combo pill. Do they make a spray or drops that are combo? I’m having a hard time finding Seasidesusie’s post your talking about supplements & brands. Is there a way of finding which one? Brands & dosing would help a lot! Thanks again I really appreciate the help

[Judithdalston in reply to Mizzme]

Look up bevlah ‘s post from 4 months ago, with eg of Seasidesusie’s long reply ....else message her direct.

[Mizzme in reply to Judithdalston]

Thank you!

[HashiFedUp]

It’s your right to be referred to an endocrinologist. Go to another gp if you have to, to get referred. Endos can diagnose Hastimotos etc although your thyroid antibodies are low so you may not have Hashi’s. Peri menopause yes possibly. I think I probably am. They can test FSH and testosterone to see if your levels here are low indicating peri menopausal/ menopausal state. Good luck.

[Mizzme in reply to HashiFedUp]

I’m going to make another appointment & ask to be referred but I’m afraid she’ll say since my levels are in range that the insurance probably won’t approve the referral. Every woman in family has thyroid disease of some type so I believe I should be seeing an Endo I’m going to try. I should be perimenopausal I’m 55 but still having that time just not as regular & no usual hot flashes or mood swings nothing like that. But doesn’t your thyroid have to be balanced in order for your hormones to be? I’d like to have my thyroid & vitamins where they should be regardless of menopause. My hair thinned a lot before I was diagnosed with hypo & now it’s happening again but dried out too. I can’t afford to lose anymore! Thank you for your help.

[Mizzme]

I did change & I’ve been seen by 3 of the doctors in this office whoever is available just not easy with these HMO’s. If I can just get one of them to send me to an Endo. You’re right they don’t understand it was like pulling teeth to get them to test for what they did. So you think I should be on a higher dose to get the T3 raised?

[Hidden]

If you are on generics I would make sure that you are getting the same manufacturer with each prescription because that can throw things off if it is not consistent. I switched to Brand Per the endo’s advice and my hair did stop falling out. I do look at everything from a wholistic point of view so diet, exercise,lifestyle, etc. all play a big part. I was on low end of Vit D and taking an average of 3 thousand iu per day for 2 years has kept it at midrange .

[Mizzme]

Yes this is a wonderful forum I can’t find anything like it that’s specifically US I hope it’s ok. I figure thyroid is thyroid & this forum is the most informative helpful place I’ve found. Also In range is all the doctors around here know it’s very frustrating. I had no idea TSH should be that low! I’m going to push to see a Endo maybe they’ll finally be so sick of me coming in they will finally refer me lol.

[jgelliss in reply to Mizzme]

I'm in US too . I find this Great Community *Exceptionally* Caring Informative and very Sharing . Thyroid Issues is Universal . The only difference is the lab values in which it's calculated . But there is a formula for that too how to covert to European values and US values .

This Community is a ***BLESSING***.

[Mizzme in reply to jgelliss]

I agree 😊

[Mizzme]

Yes I’m on generic & the pharmacy has changed brands on me a couple of times. I will see what I can do about getting brand. I’ll try anything my hair has before returned that I lost originally either. I do agree with the holistic point & im trying to do better def lacking on the exercise though but i have been increasing it. I was taking 5K iu D3 for a while & my level was high so I dropped to 1K which obviously is too low 3K might be a better option.

[JAmanda]

Insist on seeing an Endo it pay yourself. Think the NICE guidelines say you should be referred to an Endo if symptoms persist. Check out the Thyroid uk list of endos and go to one is my advice. (Even then it’s not easy but it’s a first step!)

[Mizzme]

Thank you I’ll check into it

[Mizzme]

Thank you I’m going to try to get the doftttbto refer me or I’ll have to just go self pay.

[silverfox7]

I would first get your vits and minerals tested by the GP. So test Vit D, B12, folate and ferritin. They need to be optimal, see SeasideSusie's posts for help and advice. This can take some time depending how many you are low in and how low but well worth the effort. This could raise your thyroid results and give you a clue then whether you also need to increase your meds. and whether you have a conversion problem to address. Might be better to get to that stage and then ask for help with your results rather than try to now cover what might happen rather than what has happened.

[Mizzme]

Thank you. I did get them tested & they’re in range but not optimal according to what I’m told on here. I just researched & bought what I need. So if I’m understanding right I take these awhile before seeing an endo because they can help my thyroid results? How long do you think?