Thyroid readings and B12 deficiency: Hi all... - Thyroid UK

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Thyroid readings and B12 deficiency

ukb12 profile image
10 Replies

Hi all. Tried this post on PA forum but advised to repost here....

Just wondering if anyone knows anything about T4 and TSH levels as mine seem to have gone down over the last year or so. My T4 level is now at 16.3 (dropped from 19.2) and TSH at 0.76 (dropped from 1.3). Says normal according to the doctors results but when I do some research about the symptoms of my B12 and Thyroid interaction they seem to overlap. I suffer from tingling/ithcy face, lightheadedness, slight ringing in my ears. Any advice on this before I go back to the docs.

Thanks all

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ukb12
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greygoose profile image
greygoose

Sorry, but we need the range for that FT4 to be able to interpret it, because ranges vary from lab to lab. But, your TSH is 'normal'. However, those two tests on their own don't give us enough information to be able to advise you. You also need and FT3, TPO antibodies and Tg antibodies - all done at the same time. :)

ukb12 profile image
ukb12 in reply to greygoose

Should I go to the docs for this or just get it done privately, I am sick of going to the docs if I am honest, feel like a hypochondriac going as much as I seem to at the moment.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to ukb12

I think it would be better to get them done privately. It's very difficult to get an FT3 on the NHS, and impossible to get Tg antibodies. :)

ukb12 profile image
ukb12

Just to add. I have B12 jabs every 2 weeks as I am B12 deficient and also prescribed D3 as deficient in that also!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

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).

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

Medichecks currently have an offer on until end of May - 20% off

thyroiduk.org.uk/index.html

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

How low was vitamin D?

How much are you supplementing and have vitamin D levels been retested?

Local CCG guidelines on how much to supplement

clinox.info/clinical-suppor...

As well as B12 injections do you supplement any vitamin B complex?

Marz profile image
Marz

Reading through previous posts I noticed you have blood pressure issues. This too could be linked to your thyroid. Are you taking any supplements to support B12 & VitD ? Magnesium ?

ukb12 profile image
ukb12

Hi. I have my BP under control with meds: Losartan 50mg

B12 I am on Hydrox jabs every 2 weeks

Vt D 1,000unit caps 1 per day.

I dont take anything else at the moment such as magnesium or folate.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to ukb12

B12 works in the body with Folate/B9 in a special way - so taking a Good B Complex would help keep the balance with all the B's

1000 IU's is a very small maintenance dose. Magnesium helps the workings of D3 in the body and VitK2 aids the improved calcium levels to be directed out of the arteries and soft tissues and into the bones and teeth - where it is needed.

Blood pressure is a symptom of something else going on in the body and is not an illness in itself. So it would be helpful to see your thyroid results as it is possible you have Low T3 which could be connected to your blood pressure issues. Doctors rarely search out the root cause of anything as they simply do not have the time.

You can click onto my username if you wish to check me out - reading the Bio only takes a few minutes :-)

vocalEK profile image
vocalEK in reply to ukb12

Maybe your blood pressure is too low, rather than "under control." Furthermore, it could be that some of your other medications are interfering with thyroid meds. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

ukb12 profile image
ukb12 in reply to vocalEK

Not on any thyroid medication

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