Recent blood results

[Lanvere]

I've been really dizzy for 3 weeks ...doctor originally fobbed me off then eventually did blood tests and found my TSH had gone up to 5.5 from 1.5 in june and has increased my dose to 100mcg per day from alternate days of 75mcg/100mcg. My T4 is 12.12 no change from June... my B12 is 1222 and she says this is normal. I've queried this because it is over range and I dont supplement ... I thought hypothyroidism caused low b12 ... has anyone come across this before ?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose increase

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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin D, folate and ferritin levels

You can have functional B12 deficiency

If other B vitamins are low you can get high B12

You might try adding a daily good quality vitamin B complex (after folate has been tested)

[Lanvere in reply to SlowDragon]

Oh this is so helpful thank you she did test my ferritin which is 4.3 and folate which is 24 which she says is normal and tested my HBAC1 which is 40 .

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lanvere]

The other way around

Ferritin 24 (very low, .....too low ....should be at least 70 assuming range is 15-150)

You perhaps need full iron panel testing for Anaemia

Eating liver or liver pate once a week, plus other iron rich foods like black pudding, prawns, spinach, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily vitamin C via orange juice or similar can help improve iron absorption

Folate 4.3 also too low......only just within range

Supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid may be beneficial.

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast

Igennus Super B complex are nice small tablets. Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks

Or Thorne Basic B or jarrow B-right are other options that contain folate, but both are large capsules

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

HBAC1 - what's the range? Usually 40 is near top of range shows high sugar levels

[Lanvere in reply to SlowDragon]

I thought if got it the wrong way round but could find the price of paper I'd written it on ... this is all really helpful and I will order some b vitamins... my HBAC1 was 41 last year apparently although I wasnt told and I would have been pre Disbetic but not apparently at 40 despite symptoms or burning sensation on fingers and toes and dreadful night cramp in legs

[Kevz3016 in reply to Lanvere]

I'd be careful taking extra B vits when your B12 is over range.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Lanvere]

"my ferritin which is 4.3"

Is that correct? Ferritin of 4.3? What is the reference range?

What are the reference ranges for the others? I think Folate may be OK and I think HbA1C could be pre-diabetic.

[Lanvere in reply to SeasideSusie]

I got it the wrong way round lol it's the folate that is 4.3 .. I queried the hbA1C because I have burning in my little finger and big toes plus dreadful cramp at night and the GP said was ok .... apparently my last test was 41 which she said was pre-diabetes . Said at 40 I am not ...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lanvere]

Cutting out beige carbs....bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, cakes etc can help significantly reduce HBA1C levels

diabetes.co.uk/in-depth/tru...

Dr Michael Moseley book The low sugar diet has some great recipe ideas .....he's diabetic ...or pre-diabetic

[Lanvere in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you I've just ordered the vit b from Amazon be here tomorrow and I will.take a serious look at my diet ..really appreciate all the advice .

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Also as you have Hashimoto's are you on strictly gluten free diet?

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 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...

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

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

[Lanvere in reply to SlowDragon]

I will definitely look at gluten free says she tucking into a pizza tonight... joking aside will look into this ... haven't felt this bad since before diagnosis 6 years ago so am open to any advice that may improve things ...many thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lanvere]

I find gluten free diet astonishingly beneficial.

My partner had similar high HBA1C .....so we took decision to cut beige carbs ...I got my HBA1C down to 28!

I still eat chocolate (always soya free) and love a regular Gluten free beer ....so haven't cut all carbs!!

But now I never eat potatoes, rice, pasta, cakes etc etc ....and only tiny amount of GF bread.

We do need some carbs