I had a recent Medi checks blood test chiefly to keep an eye on thyroid bloods as I have changed NDT in the last few months . I asked for the docs report as I usually do. His main comment was about the possibility of low TSH being possibly responsible for osteoporosis and cardiac problems .My tsh has been 000.5 since natural thyroid .
I have a diagnosis of osteoporosis that the consultant wants me to have bisonophosphates or Prolia 😢 is it possible that I have caused this myself ? Pp
Unlikely
Medichecks doctors are only conventional trained medics. They are only looking at low TSH
What are your FT3 and FT4 results and ranges?
On any replacement Thyroid hormones that contain T3 (like NDT) it's almost inevitable that a TSH is suppressed. This doesn't mean over medicated, unless FT3/FT4 are over range
With hypothyroidism we frequently have low vitamin D and/or low FT3 .....both can contribute to osteoporosis
Some Patients on NDT or T3 have even seen improvements in bone density
Suppressed TSH and osteoporosis
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/thyroi...
Osteoporosis and low TSH
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Long term study of T3 or NDT - no adverse issues ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/298...
sciencedaily.com/releases/2...
Good article on why FT3 and FT4 are most important
restartmed.com/tsh-isnt-the...
Not osteoporosis
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/825...
Osteoporosis- hypothyroid with low FT4 and FT3
tiredthyroid.com/blog/2012/...
My results were
TSH .005. .27 -42
Free T3 7.49. 3.1 -6.8. I have reduced this.
Free thyroxine 18.9. 12-22
Vit d. 76.6. 50 -135
Folate serum 7.26. 3.89 -19.95
Ferretin. 51. 30-400
Thanks for the information Pp
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
If/when also on T3, or NDT make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test
Is this how you did the test?
Improving vitamins should help improve the way thyroid hormones work
Vitamin D needs improving to at least 80nmol and around 100nmol may be better
No B12 test ?
Folate is on low side. Supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid may be beneficial.
chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...
B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast
Recommended brands on here are Igennus Super B complex. (Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks ).
Or Jarrow B-right is popular choice, but is large capsule
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...
endocrinenews.endocrine.org...
Ferritin likely too low
Eating liver or liver pate once a week, plus other iron rich foods like black pudding, prawns, spinach, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily vitamin C can help improve iron absorption
FERRITIN and hypothyroidism
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
drhedberg.com/ferritin-hypo...
restartmed.com/hypothyroidi...
Post about iron supplements
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Do you take magnesium and vitamin K2 Mk7 ?
read up on importance of magnesium and vitamin K2 Mk7 supplements for good bone health especially when taking vitamin D
betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...
articles.mercola.com/sites/...
healthy-holistic-living.com...
sciencedaily.com/releases/2...
articles.mercola.com/sites/...
betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...
This article explains should discuss with specialists before taking any vitamin K if you take any blood thinning medication
drsinatra.com/vitamin-k2-su...
Hi, I have b12 injections every eight weeks at the surgery. I was quite surprised when the result was 300 only. I take magnesium now and also k2 I do take one of the more recent blood thinners and there seems to be a bit of confusion about that. You have given me a lot to think about. Thank you Pp
Who really knows, I have always had very low tsh 0.03 ish and now have cardiac problems, although my T4 and 3 are in range how can I or anyone be sure of the cause.
Unfortunately few doctors don't really know too much, except to diagnose and dose by the TSH alone.
However, TSH is not a thyroid hormone it is from the pituitary gland which which rises when thyroid gland is struggling.
Conventional doctors seem to think that if the TSH is very low the patient is hyperthyroid and that may be the case of an undiagnosed patient. However, when on levothyroxine or other thyroid hormones the aim is a TSH of 1 or lower.
Thanks shaws . I had a real struggle with a a young doctor the other day . If only we were able to see the same doctor each time . I book online and it reminds people the bookings are for ten minutes only . Goodness knows where we are heading with the NHS Pp
I have a cardiac issue that shall require surgery in the forseeable future, and my cardiologist, (at a Centre of Excellence for heart and lung medicine), who has a better grasp of thyroid disfunction and treatment than my GP, is in no way bothered by my suppressed TSH, and has never once even intimated that I should reduce my Levo / Liothyronine dose nor that it is a causal factor. My GP said I could have had the problem from birth but it only became a problem with aging and deteriorating muscle tone in general ie independent of my thyroid. You could email Medichecks and ask for links to valid studies that support/validate their Dr's assertions regarding heart and bone issues but don't hold your breath waiting for them ....
You see MaisieGray this is why I'm so confused over all this. My Endo is useless and I believe that destroying my thyroid was the start of all my problems. I will keep checking my bloods myself and as far as my bones go the Bone Health community is a mine of friendly information. Thanks for your reply Pp
It seems sensible to always keep FT3 levels in range. If you have osteoporosis then ensure a calcium rich diet. K2-MK7 vitamin, new research indicates that this might help prevent osteoporosis - it may help to ensure it does not get worse. Ensure good vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is said to be best around mid-range. Boron is found in some foods including prunes and this can also help bones. You might find that a gluten free diet helps too. Make sure you do enough weight bearing and resistance exercise suitable for your stage of osteoporosis. Visit the Bone Health forum on Healthunlocked for more information and the Royal Osteoporosis Society website, formerly called NOS, National Osteoporosis Society.
No-one can say whether thyroid hormone replacement can cause osteoporosis as there is no conclusive research evidence. It probably wouldn't be ethical to do that kind of research in humans. People with untreated overactive thyroid disease lose bone density.
Thank you . I have discovered the Bone Health website and it is excellent. X rays have revealed a fracture in my spine , whether it is old or new i am waiting to find out This and the fact that I am 77 will have to influence any exercise . The vitamins etc i have covered . I still have a lot of research to do . Pp
If it were me, at 77 I would definitely be aiming to keep FT3 within range. If you are female then trabecular bone density decreases at menopause while cortical bone decreases with age and you want to preserve as much bone as possible.
If you have symptoms then investigate all possible causes and don't assume it's due to lack of thyroid hormone.
There is no scientific research that shows that low TSH without over range free T4 and free T3 causes heart problems or osteoporosis. The trouble is that many studies state the TSH and not the thyroid hormones so your GP sees people with out of control hyperthyroidism lumped in with hypo people on meds. In fact, low T3 is associated with cardiac problems - and that usually goes with high TSH
Thank you Angel . Pp
Endo says results are my fault :( :(
High TSH result… my fault?
New study: "Low bone mineral density is related to high physiological levels offT4 not to TSH levels below lower reference range."
Cannot get my TSH in range - help needed please, should I switch to levo?
Low TSH because of Armour - Osteoporosis risk?
