Hi everyone - I've received my Medichecks results back but was a little surprised that all my thyroid levels are in range. I had quite a long list of results which I'll post below (thyroid first) in the hopes that someone may share their thoughts with me.
(edited to add - I have a fibromyalgia diagnosis, b12 deficiency (despite results below), ibs)
My red blood cells, iron, liver and cholesterol levels are all out of range too and my glucose and hba1c are top of range. The cholesterol one surprised me as the practice nurse told me they were excellent in November. The rest I expected to be out of range due to my menstrual symptoms.
I have also just had a hystercopal ultrasound following my 32 day menstrual bleed last month and that revealed fibroids, cysts and a 'bulky uterus' (lovely phrase!) so I had a CA125 test on Fri - results not back yet and they will repeat scan in 6 weeks.
Previous results (already shared)
My TSH levels have historically been around 1.4-1.8 but in November 2018 it jumped to 4.2 (range 0.27-4.5)
My GP agreed to retest (05/03/2019) and the results were :
TSH 1.8 (range 0.27-4.5)
T4 12.7 (range 11.0-23.0)
Serum free triiodothyronine (is that the T3?) was 4.52 (range 3.1-6.8).
Done early morning (no later than 9am) after an overnight fast and water only to drink before the test?
TSH 2.31 (range 0.27 - 4.2)
Free T3 4.27 (range 3.1 - 6.8)
Free Thyroxine 13.4 (range 12 - 22)
FT4 is very low again.
Antibodies are low and don't suggest autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) with those results but you can have Hashi's without raised antibodies.
Folate Serum 1.17 (range >3.89)
This is folate deficiency. As you have B12 injections, has your folate been checked by your GP? Folic acid should be prescribed so discuss this result with your GP.
Vitamin B12 active 141 (range 37.5 - 188)
We know you have B12 injections so we can discount any B12 test results.
Vitamin D 29.2nmol/L (range 50 - 175) = 11.68ng/ml
This is very low. Your GP may prescribe to raise it to 50 but that isn't necessarily a good think, you'll get better supplements if you buy them yourself.
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, based on the Vit D Council's suggestions you could supplement with 4,900iu D3 daily
Doctor's Best D3 softgels (best price on Dolphin Fitness) which contain just D3 and extra virgin olive oil, nothing else. Softgels are the best absorbed of all oral D3 supplements that are swallowed, avoid tablets and capsules.
When Hashi's is present, for best absorption an oral spray is recommended (eg BetterYou) or sublingual liquid (eg Vitabay Organics), these bypass the stomach and are absorbed through the mucous membranes in the oral cavity.
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:
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.
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.
CRP 7.71 (range <5)
This is an inflammation marker so there was maybe inflammation (or infection) at the time of the test. Medichecks CRP test is high sensitivity which detects low level inflammation and I expect they have explained that in their comments.
I'm afraid I can't help with those I haven't commented on and I'm sure others will be along with comments.
Thanks for your reply Susie - yes it was a fasting test from the night before with only water in the morning - I should have said.
I was surprised at how low the Vit D is as I've been outside an awful lot for the last couple of months in an attempt to build it up but it looks like supplementing along with magnesium is necessary.
I wonder whether my CRP is raised due to the fibromyalgia? Although I have also had dreadful cramps and abdominal pains on and off for a few weeks.
I'm seeing an endocrinologist on 10th August - to 'reassure' me that there's nothing wrong with me despite my squashed pituitary :o)
Not all of us are good at making Vit D naturally from the sun. One of our members lives in Crete and she has to supplement.
It's possible the fibromyalgia has caused the raised CRP. I've just come across these articles which you might find interesting if you haven't already seen them
As you're seeing an endo in a couple of weeks, take some time to do a bit of research and discuss the possibility of central hypothyroidism with him/her. Central hypothyroidism is diagnosed when TSH is normal, low or slightly elevated with a low FT4. Now whether "low" means low in range or below range is, I suppose, debatable but I'd say yours is low, certainly the two results you've posted.
Central hypothyroidism is where there is a problem with the pituitary (secondary hypothyroidism) or the hypothalamus (tertiary hypothyroidism) and as you already have a problem with your pituitary it might be that they are linked.
Your GP can look at BMJ Best Practice for information - here is something you can read without needing to be subscribed
You could do some more research, print out anything that may help and show your endo.
As Central Hypothyroidism isn't as common as Primary Hypothyroidism it's likely that your endo hasn't come across it before. If you think it may be possible, and you have the evidence, then push for further investigation, even a referral to a thyroid specialist (most endos are diabetes specialist) or someone specialising in pituitary.
Would you mind updating us after your endo visit please
Thank you so much - I really appreciate the information and advice. I will definitely do some research. I will certainly update once I've had my appointment too.
Hi Susie - I had my endo appt today and she seemed quite happy that there's nothing wrong with me, I was going to talk to her more about central hypothyroidism but before I did she said she was going to arrange for a steroid test (not sure exactly what it is) but they take bloods then inject a steroid and retake bloods at 30 mins and again after an hour. She also said she'd see me again in 4 months. So not a complete dismissal. :o)
Your free T4 is very low in range but your TSH isn't very high - suggestive of central hypothyroidism where the problem is with the pituitary or hypothalamus (but your sex hormones seem OK). Folate and vit D dreadfully low - what is being done about that?
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