Help interpreting test results

[mmthyroid]

A friend is on Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. She was feeling better and then symptoms got worse. Here are her test results. Any suggestions on where she should be in the ranges and what supplements might help. (She is on another medication that affects her TSH)

Iron 17.6 (8-25)

Total iron bonding 52 (45-70)

Saturation 34 (20-50)

Ferritin 21 (5-204)

B12 263 (187-883)

Folic acid 8.7 (2.3-17.6)

FT4 24.9 (9-22)

FT3 3.64 (2.63-5.7

TSH .16 (.35-4.94)

Androstenedione 4.6 (3-8)

Testosterone .9 (.45-2.5)

Sex hormone binding globulin 114 (22-126)

Free androgen index .7 (0.4-8.0)

DHEA sulfate 1.4 (1.9-9.4)

[Heloise]

stopthethyroidmadness.com/l...

This explains the labs but I see she was over range in T4 and yet FT3 was too low.

Her ferritin is also too low to support the the conversion of thyroid hormone.

Often we don't have enough stomach acid to use minerals like iron and B12. I suggest

she starts using Betaine HCL with meals to help her absorb amino acids and minerals.

[Hidden]

What dose of Levo is she on, and has it been increased recently?

When first started, and on each increase until there is enough, it is normal for a person to improve at first (although sometimes you can feel worse because of suppression of the thyroid's own hormones), and then gradually get worse again after several weeks. This usually shows they are ready for another increase.

Also, vitamins and minerals have to be optimal. As said, ferritin isn't high enough. Folate, B12 and vitamin D also usually need supplementation.

It looks as if your friend has poor T4/T3 conversion, which means she probably needs some T3, though it is extremely difficult to get it prescribed.

Good nutrition etc should help quite a lot, but autoimmune hypothyroidism is not something that can normally be reversed.