New blood test results: Hi, I just had my 1st... - Thyroid UK

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New blood test results

Lionmess profile image
5 Replies

Hi, I just had my 1st Medichecks results and got a few surprises. Based on my feelings, I expected low B12, TSH in the region of 4-5 as per my last GP test and indication that T3 needed some attention. I'm rather new to make sense of these, can you help please. I'm so tired and achy.

Inflammation

CRP HS 0.39 mg/L (Range: < 5)

Iron Status

Ferritin 81.2 ug/L (Range: 13 - 150)

Vitamins

Folate - Serum X 2.86 ug/L (Range: > 3.89)

Vitamin B12 - Active 57.800 pmol/L (Range: 37.5 - 188)

Vitamin D X 41.7 nmol/L (Range: 50 - 175)

Thyroid Hormones

TSH 1.24 mIU/L (Range: 0.27 - 4.2)

Free T3 5.71 pmol/L (Range: 3.1 - 6.8)

Free Thyroxine X 24.100 pmol/L (Range: 12 - 22)

Autoimmunity

Thyroglobulin Antibodies 38.100 kU/L (Range: < 115)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies X 341 kIU/L (Range: < 34)

many thanks

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Lionmess profile image
Lionmess

I should add, I'm on 100mg Levothyroxine

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Lionmess

TSH 1.24 mIU/L (Range: 0.27 - 4.2)

Free T3 5.71 pmol/L (Range: 3.1 - 6.8)

Free Thyroxine X 24.100 pmol/L (Range: 12 - 22)

These aren't too bad. When on Levo only, the aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their ranges if that is where you feel well.

Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine (the magazine for doctors):

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l. In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l. This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l).*"

*He recently confirmed, during a public meeting, that this applies to Free T3 as well as Total T3.

It would seem that you need an over range FT4 to achieve a decent FT3 level. If your B12, Folate and Vit D are optimised (see below), you may find that your Levo could work better and possibly reduce slightly to bring FT4 into range. It's a case of see how it goes.

(You can obtain a copy of the article by emailing Dionne at tukadmin@thyroiduk.org)

Thyroglobulin Antibodies 38.100 kU/L (Range: < 115)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies X 341 kIU/L (Range: < 34)

Your TPO antibodies are raised which means that you are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's which is where the thyroid is attacked and gradually destroyed. Fluctuations in symptoms and test results are common with Hashi's.

Some members have found that adopting a strict gluten free diet can help, although there is no guarantee.

Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks.

You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

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

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

CRP HS 0.39 mg/L (Range: < 5)

Ferritin 81.2 ug/L (Range: 13 - 150)

These are fine.

Folate - Serum X 2.86 ug/L (Range: > 3.89)

You are folate deficient. Discuss with your GP, you should be prescribed folic acid **

Vitamin B12 - Active 57.800 pmol/L (Range: 37.5 - 188)

Active B12 below 70 suggests testing for B12 deficiency according to Viapath at St Thomas' Hospital.

viapath.co.uk/our-tests/act...

Reference range: >70*; * between 25-70 referred for MMA

Your GP may say you are within range so he wont do anything. You should push for testing because they are supposed to go by symptoms not numbers, so check signs and symptoms of B12 deficiency here and list any that you are experiencing:

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

** Don't start taking folic acid until further testing of B12 has been carried out, it will mask signs of B12 deficiency.

Vitamin D X 41.7 nmol/L (Range: 50 - 175) = 16.68ng/ml

The Vit D Council recommends a level of 125nmol/L (50ng/ml) and the Vit D Society recommends a level of 100-150nmol/L (40-60ng/ml).

Your GP probably wont prescribed anything, but you're better off buying your own supplements anyway.

To reach the recommended level from your current level the Vit D Council recommends supplementing with 4,900iu D3 daily (nearest is 5,000iu).

vitamindcouncil.org/i-teste...

As your TPO antibodies are raised (Hashimoto's) then for best absorption an oral spray (eg BetterYou) or sublingual drops (eg Vitabay Organics) are recommended.

Retest in 3 months.

Once you've reached the recommended level then you'll need a maintenance dose to keep it there, which may be 2000iu daily, maybe more or less, maybe less in summer than winter, it's trial and error so it's recommended to retest once or twice a year to keep within the recommended range. You can do this with a private fingerprick blood spot test with an NHS lab which offers this test to the general public:

vitamindtest.org.uk/

There are important cofactors needed when taking D3 as recommended by the Vit D Council -

vitamindcouncil.org/about-v...

D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems such as hardening of the arteries, kidney stones, etc.

D3 and K2 are fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day, D3 four hours away from thyroid meds if taking tablets/capsules/softgels, no necessity if using an oral spray

Magnesium helps D3 to work. We need Magnesium so that the body utilises D3, it's required to convert Vit D into it's active form. So it's important we ensure we take magnesium when supplementing with D3.

Magnesium comes in different forms, check to see which would suit you best and as it's calming it's best taken in the evening, four hours away from thyroid meds if taking tablets/capsules, no necessity if using topical forms of magnesium.

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

Check out the other cofactors too (some of which can be obtained from food).

Don't start all supplements at the same time. Start with one, leave it 1-2 weeks and if no adverse reaction then add the second one. Continue like this. If you have any reaction then you will know what caused it.

Lionmess profile image
Lionmess in reply toSeasideSusie

Fantastic help, thank you so much.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Few more links about gluten and Hashimoto's

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

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

while still eating high gluten diet Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet

(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

healthcentral.com/article/t...

Other gut issues due to being hypothyroid

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's Gut connection is very poorly understood

Your poor vitamin levels suggest poor gut function

VIt D, folate and B12 are awful. Active B12 needs to be over 75, Thyroid results are OK.

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