Newbie needing help interpreting blood tests

[Dollyrocker000]

I have had symptoms of hypothyroidism for 10+ years with “normal” labs. A nutritionist finally put me on Metavive II but have been balling cortisol issues as well. First low, then high. Been trying various doses, tests as follows:

Thyroid Tests

Early Oct (on 5-6 MV II per day and took them in morning of test)

TSH - <0.01 mIU/L (0.27-4.2)

Free T4 - 21.9 pmol/L (12.0-22.0)

Late Oct - re-test with gynae

This time I stopped my Metavive II 24 hours beforehand. I was on 3 capsules in morning and 2 in afternoon at the time.

Total Thyroxine - 80 nmol/L (59-154)

TSH - 1.23 mIU (0.27-4.2)

Free Thyroxine - 14.3 pmol/L (12.0- 22.0)

Free T3 - 3.8 pmol/L (3.1- 6.8)

Thyroglobulin antibody- 14.5 IU/ mL (0-115)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies - 15.7 IU/ mL (0-34)

DECEMBER (down to 2 Metavive II per day, in morning, took them on morning of blood test as thought I was only testing for progesterone)

Free T4 - 11.0 pmol/L (9.0-23.0)

Free T3 - 4.7 pmol/L (2.5- 5.7)

I am fairly new to this so thoughts would be appreciated. Wondering if I should start raising dosage again?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Dollyrocker000

The first thing you need to do is repeat the test with the correct time gap between last dose of Metavive and blood draw, which is 8-12 hours. This will give a measure of the normal circulating amount of hormone and you can then base your decision to change your dose, or not, on that result and how you feel.

If you normally take your Metavive in one dose, split the dose the day before the test - half in the morning and second half 8-12 hours before your test.

What are your latest adrenal test results, hopefully you do a test which includes cortisol plus DHEA. What adrenal supplement are you using.

What are your latest test results for Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin. These are also very important.

[Dollyrocker000 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi

Thank you for reply. I do not have all results in front of me but most recent saliva cortisol test showed elevated cortisol in evening low DHEA. Naturopath recommended Phos Serine for the cortisol which I have been on for 3 weeks.

Vit D results were good 61 nmol/L (50-100) in October but I still supplement 4000iu per day in winter. Not sure about folate but supplement with it every day.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Dollyrocker000]

Your Vit D level at 61nmol/L is actually not very good., it's quite low. The Vit D Council recommends a level of 125nmol and the Vit D Society recommends 100-150nmol.

I would continue with your 4,000iu and retest in 3 months. When you've reached the recommended level then you'll need to find your maintenance dose by trial and error and should retest twice a year to keep it there.

Are you taking D3's important cofactors? Magnesium is needed for the body to convert D3 into it's usable form. Vit K2-mk7 is needed to direct the extra uptake of calcium from food to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissue where it can be deposited and cause problems.

Is your Phos Serine from soy/soybeans/soy lecithin? Patients with hypothyroidism should avoid soy in all forms, except perhaps fermented soy. It used to be used to treat overactive thyroid and can make hypothyroidism worse.

[Dollyrocker000 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you. I take Swanson soy-free Phos Serine, the Vit D3 drops are with K2 and 400mg magnesium citrate each evening. I do also take 1 cap Dr Wilson’s Adrenal Formula every morning along with Licorice root. I do wonder if the licotice maca should be avoided as I’m also trying to conceive?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Dollyrocker000]

Dr Wilson’s Adrenal Formula - is that Adrenal C Formula, Adrenal Rebuilder, Super Adrenal Stress Formula?

"I do wonder if the licotice maca should be avoided as I’m also trying to conceive?"

I have no knowledge of that supplement so can't comment.

[Dollyrocker000 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Sorry it is Adrenal Rebuilder. Have been on that for nearly 2 years.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Dollyrocker000]

So that's an adrenal glandular which raises cortisol. So really it would be useful to see your latest full 24 hour test results to see if any other samples were elevated.

[Dollyrocker000 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I do not have the results but my naturopath advised the 24 hr results were normal in morning and noon but then rising toward high in evening.

Around 2 years ago I took Dutch test revealing v low cortisol throughout the day. That is when I was out on Adrenal builder. But 2 years and tons of supplements later I feel a bit better, but still seem to struggle with hormones and putting on weight. Been on keto over a year on advice of naturopath but this has not helped.

[greygoose in reply to Dollyrocker000]

What is Phos Serine supposed to do for your cortisol?

You say that your cortisol is high at night, but what's it like the rest of the day?

[Dollyrocker000 in reply to greygoose]

I was advised that Phos serine may help reduce cortisol. Morning and midday were fine but rose steadily afterward and high in evening.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Dollyrocker000]

So you've been on Phos serine for 3 weeks. Was it explained why you were advised to take this supplement to reduce cortisol and another to raise cortisol (Adrenal Rebuilder)?

[Dollyrocker000 in reply to SeasideSusie]

No. I had been on AR for quite some time. He reviews my supplements/protocol every few months, added the phos serine but didn’t not adjust anything else. The Metavive he is asking me to go by temps and heart rate but I’m all over the shop so hard to tell.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Dollyrocker000]

BTW I found phosphatidyl serine gave me insomnia. It worked for about a week and then the insomnia hit. Seriphos was the same. Liquorice root can increase BP (great if it is low, but not if it isn't), so be careful.

[Dollyrocker000 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

I take the PS in morning and evening and it seems to help me sleep better rather than jolt awake at 3am as I had before.

The Licorice has been ok, i typically have lower blood pressure anyway. I actually took a short break from it but my naturopath is adamant that it nourishes the adrenals. The maca I have read can be an issue for anyone with thyroid issues but I took it before I got pregnant with my 4 year old with no problem.