Blood test feedback

[Supertoughfish]

Hi there!

On the advice of everyone I took a test from Medichecks for everything. Would really appreciate your interpretation & advice on steps forward.

FYI my previous results drawn at 9am from about 7 weeks ago were -

TSH - 0.71 (0.27 - 4.2)

FT4 - 24.6 (12 - 22)

Current results as pictured drawn at 11am.

If relevant I went on holiday & took in a lot of sun for past two weeks. Also as you can see blood taken inconsistently at 2 hours apart.

But I am confused why I appeared to improve but a) feel worse & b) took my blood later which should have lowered it. I just don't feel my test results are reflective of how I feel.

I have almost all symptoms associated with Hyper & some of Hypo, but predominantly complete inability to gain weight, extreme fatigue, depression, low libido, hair loss/quality loss, & diminished ability to think clearly & deal with stress.

Had some for years but really felt symptoms increase or new ones develop over the last 3 months. I'm an active, smart, energetic person trapped in a body that just wants to rest.

THANK YOU!

[Nanaedake]

Clearly folate is too low and you need to supplement. I took 400mcg of methyl folate for 4 months to bring levels up and now supplement with a B complex that contains the methylated forms to keep all the B's balanced. Vitamin D is said to be best mid-range so if that were my result, I would be supplementing and retesting in 6 months time. How much vit D3 you need can be very individual.

[Lora7again in reply to Nanaedake]

Sorry I didn't see your reply.

[Supertoughfish in reply to Nanaedake]

Thank you for your response. Are you suggesting low folate is causing my symptoms? Did you feel your health improved after supplementation?

[Nanaedake in reply to Supertoughfish]

Yes, I did improve when I optimised all my vitamin levels but folate is the one that that I find hardest to keep optimal so I need to keep supplementing it. Folate is necessary for so many enzyme functions, for cell replication, it helps prevent neural tube defects in pregnancy and supports good eye health. It works together with vitamin B12. I eat a great diet with lots of greens so it's not due to lack of good nutrition. You only have a few days store of folate so if its low it might be hard to replenish without a supplement. I'm only a fellow thyroidy so I'm just telling you my experience. You could post a separate question about folate.

I read that folate supports good progesterone levels too.

[Lora7again]

Your results look normal my TSH is 0.70 and I feel fine at the moment and my hair has stopped falling out after 3 years of shedding. I can't see you vitamin results they are faint - is your folate a bit low?

[Supertoughfish in reply to Lora7again]

Thank you for your response. Unfortunately I do not feel like a normal human being at all.

[Lora7again in reply to Supertoughfish]

Everyone is different and I know you must always have a blood test first thing in the morning before you have taken your medication because that will give you a more accurate blood result - don't eat anything either just drink water.

[suztango]

Hi Supertoughfish, I think I see the problem. Your sample was drawn at 11am. It should really be done before 9am and fasting (including before taking any medication). This will really affect the thyroid readings here.

[Supertoughfish in reply to suztango]

Hi suztango. I'll take another at that time. Thanks! Can you tell me how it would affect the result?

[suztango in reply to Supertoughfish]

Hi, Others can give a more detailed explanation but everybody's TSH level changes throughout the day. It's highest in the early hours, and lowest around midday. So, having your test at 11 you would have a low ish TSH.

Before 9am us best to see what's ready going on. And fasting - especially do not take thyroid medication before the test. This would flood your system with T4 making it look like you have loads when you might not. Also food lowers TSH.

[Supertoughfish in reply to suztango]

Thank you for breaking it down for me. I understand much better now.

[suztango in reply to Supertoughfish]

No problem 😄

[suztango in reply to Supertoughfish]

thyroiduk.org/tuk/diagnosis...