I've had my Thyroxine at the right dose now for 5 Months and my bloods are.
Serum TSH - 0.20 mU/L
Serum free T4 - 22 pmol/L
However, I'm still suffering Fatigue and having Brain Fog but not as often.
It still sometimes affects me at work when I'm answering technical issues.
I know what I'm trying to say but the words sometimes just aren't there and every now and then I just feel shattered all of a sudden.
How long does it take for this to settle down?
TIA..
Shane,
It is possible to have good bloods but still feel rubbish because results are only indicative of hormone levels in the blood stream and not what is working on an intracellular level.
You also need to have FT3 tested for a better picture of thyroid function and supplying all ranges gives members the info to comment on adequacy.
Optimising iron levels, VitB12, folate and Vit D helps thyroid hormones synthesis but these levels are often impaired due to the gut absorption issues caused by low thyroid hormone. Have you had these tested ? Again post any results for members comments.
Members with uncooperative doctors use private labs.
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
Serum Folate - 4.8ng/mL
B12 - 353pg/mL
Vit D - 37.6nmol//L
I am now taking 1000iU of Vit D because it was low, this was advised by the doctor but said the other results were within the normal range.
Get Shane13. You’re right those are good levels but unfortunately you haven’t had your FT3 done and so you’ve no idea if all that T4 you’ve got in your system is converting T3 😔
Also your VitD is way too low as you know but you’ll need to take a product with at least 3000iU, the 1000 isn’t going to be enough.
I started the Betteryou DLux spray 3000 with Vit K
bodykind.com/search/dlux/0/...
Initially my VitD result was around 25 but within 4-6wks it had risen to 56. So the spray can be fast acting.
Shane13
Serum Folate - 4.8ng/mL
B12 - 353pg/mL
Vit D - 37.6nmol//L
I am now taking 1000iU of Vit D because it was low, this was advised by the doctor but said the other results were within the normal range.
B12 and Folate may be "in range" but they are low. What is the range for folate - does it have a bottom and top number, eg xx - yy, or is it >zz? Whichever it is very low. If there is a proper range with bottom and top number then it's recommended to be at least half way through range.
As for B12, according to an extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:
"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".
"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."
Check for signs of B12 deficiency here
b12deficiency.info/signs-an...
and if you have any then list them to discuss with your GP and ask for testing for B12 deficiency/pernicious anaemia.
If no symptoms then you can supplement with a good B Complex containing methylcobalamin and methylfolate, this will raise both B12 and folate levels. Good brands are Thorne Basic B and Igennus Super B, both contain the bioactive forms of ingredients. When taking a B Complex containing Biotin, it's important to leave it off for 7 days before any blood tests as it will give false results when biotin is used in the testing procedure, which may labs use.
Vit D - 37.6nmol//L = 15.04ng/ml
1000iu D3 is woefully inadequate to raise your level, regardless of what your doctor says.
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).
To reach the recommended level from your current level the Vit D Council suggests supplementing with 4,900iu D3 daily (nearest is 5,000iu)
vitamindcouncil.org/i-teste...
Retest after 3 months.
When 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:
Your GP won't know, because they're not taught much about nutrients, but 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...
thefamilythathealstogether....
drjockers.com/best-magnesiu...
Check out the other cofactors too (some of which can be obtained from food).
You can't actually tell if your results are good as there is no free t3 result and T3 is the active hormone. Also, everyone is different in where their optimal hormone levels lie. You could have good free T4 but not be converting to t3 well. Do you have results for B12, ferritin and folate? You need those to be optimal in order to convert from T4 to T3.
This my reply to an earlier comment, I believe that even though they are within normal range, they are still low so I've uped the vitamin D to 3000iU to see how I go.
And no I've never been tested for my Free T3..
Serum Folate - 4.8ng/mL
B12 - 353pg/mL
Vit D - 37.6nmol//L
I am now taking 1000iU of Vit D because it was low, this was advised by the doctor but said the other results were within the normal range.
Folate needs to be in double figures and B12 at least 500.I think you'll need more than 1000iu vit D per day to get your level into the preferred range of at least high 90s. 1000iu is really a maintenance dose for someone who already has decent levels
How do I increase my folate levels ?
Well, I just buy a supplement and take it each day. I get mine from the local supermarket but i am sure there are more high class sources.
Methylfolate supplement and eat lots of broccoli, eggs and steamed green veg
still not feeling to good on ndt
Still struggling with anxiety and low mood. What to do?
Blood test time - still no better
I'm new here, struggling with underactive thyroid, and blood tests.
Still unwell despite good thyroid levels.
