Should I be on meds?

[Arlie123]

Hi everyone,

I first posted six months ago and since then have been trying to take all the advice on here (thank you). Here are my latest results - I did have a short period of feeling good where my TSH was 2.1 but am not feeling so great again. Here are my latest results - would be great to know if you think I should be going on meds or keep on with supplements and gluten free which I've not been consistent with. GP refused last time but may go private.

I'm taking the following supplements: vit D, Thorne vit B, selenium, zinc, magnesium citrate and omegas. Have also have figured out I'm lactose intolerant so have reduced dairy to practically nothing too.

FT3 5.21 pmol/L (3.1-6.8)

TSH 3.92 (1-4.3) has been as high as 6 previously

FT4 12.6 (12-17)

TgAB 194 (0-115) has been as high as 945 in the past!

TPOAb 12.3 (0-38)

Total B12 348 (300-569)

Ferritin 326 (13-150)

Vit D 74.1 (50-150) has been as low as 23

I have previously done the Blue Horizons vitamin test and was in range for everything but low in some areas have since then been trying to get to top of ranges. Can't afford to retest at the moment but will in the new year. I also have PCOS which I'm trying to get under control - not very successfully.

Thanks in advance!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

GP should have prescribed Levo 6 months ago when TSH was 6.36 and below range FT4 along with raised antibodies.

Your B12 is lower than last time despite taking Thorne Basic B. I would add sublingual methylcobalamin 1000mcg (still take the Thorne Basic B), use one bottle which should raise your B12 then follow with just the Basic B. That should boost your B12 level.

How much D3 are you taking, your level hasn't risen very much at all. And what form - oral spray, softgel, tablet, capsule? Do you also take D3's important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7?

Did you discuss your high ferritin with your GP?

[Arlie123 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks SeasideSusie - the problem was when I went to the GP she made me redo the tests on the NHS and they came back 'in range' - 2.3 I think - she barely glimpsed at the private ones. She said she would only put me on meds if I was trying for a baby (I'm not but at 37 am running out of time and would like to be in a position to be well/optimal beforehand if it happens!).

D3 - was taking 2,500mcg tabs per day, have now upped it to 20,000mcg softgels twice per week. When I've finished that in about six weeks I've got the 3000 K2/D3 spray to use. I take magnesium but not K2 - will look into that and sub lingual B12.

I haven't been back to the doctor since last time re ferritin - I also need to go back for a physio referral and a lactose intolerance test but have been putting it off as felt like an idiot last time and don't want her to think I'ma hypochondriac with all my 'issues' - silly I know.

Any recommendations for brands for K2/MK7 and sub-lingual B12?

Thank you!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Arlie123]

Do you always do your thyroid tests early morning when TSH is highest? No later than 9am, drink water only before the test as eating can lower TSH and coffee affects TSH.

If you can get your TSH over range, with a low FT4 and high antibodies, then an enlightened doctor should start you on Levo.

I like this sublingual B12 cytoplan.co.uk/vitamin-b12-...

For K2-mk7 here are a couple of suggestions:

m.ebay.co.uk/itm/2730420851...

amazon.co.uk/Vitamin-K2-Liq...

[Arlie123 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for the recommendations. The GP test wasn't done in the morning as I hadn't read the advice here yet. Will try and get them done again and see where I get to! Thanks for all the advice - hadn't actually spotted the b12 being lower and have realised it's probably because I've been eating less meat.

[Lesleyg13 in reply to Arlie123]

It has been mentioned on here recently that for menstruating women TSH is much higher mid cycle, so also best to get yours tested at that time if you can.

Here’s the original post, it was in jimh111's reply:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

"See the bottom two graphs in this ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... ."

[Arlie123 in reply to Lesleyg13]

Yes have realised that through my own testing - thanks for reminder!

[Arlie123 in reply to Arlie123]

Sorry would you mind reposting those links - they're not working for me?

[Lesleyg13 in reply to Arlie123]

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Sorry about that. Was there more than one that wasn't working?

[Arlie123 in reply to Lesleyg13]

Thanks - got it all now

[Lesleyg13]

Have you considered a low carb diet for the PCOS? See this thread from a couple of weeks ago:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[janeroar in reply to Lesleyg13]

Yes Low carb and also try no gluten for PCOS

[Arlie123 in reply to janeroar]

Thanks both, will check it out

[Arlie123]

Thanks for pointing out - I'm going to book an appointment this week if I can

[Lesleyg13]

I've seen it mentioned on here previously that Hashimoto's itself can cause inflammation and therefore raised ferritin too.

[Arlie123]

Hi everyone, I just wanted to say thank you for all the support. I went to the GP today and have to admit that I told a bit of a stretched truth in that I'm trying for a baby - not strictly true but not a million miles away.

Was a different GP to last time who seemed a bit more up on thyroid issues. She is going to speak to the endocrinologist and depending on what they say either put me on levo, refer or nothing until I'm pregnant and levo at that point. She has also arranged for an ultrasound to check for a goitre which she possibly felt after examining me. She was ok about ferritin and said may be related to thyroid but I have to repeat all bloods (though she didn't immediately discard the private ones like the previous GP).

So feeling positive and that I might be able to make some progress in the new year! This forum really is a lifeline! And wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

[Lesleyg13 in reply to Arlie123]

Fantastic news, and well done you! Thank goodness you had a more proactive GP this time.

[Arlie123 in reply to Lesleyg13]

Thank you fingers crossed