Blood result info please

[legsgran]

Hi, latest back from GP (despite all my requests, won't give T3, this is all I get)

Serum TSH level - (NPS411) 1.51 mu/L 0.27 - 4.20 mu/L

B12/folate level - (NPS411) - Normal

Serum folate 4.3 ug/L 3.90 - 20

Serum vitamin B12 568 >180.00 ngl +

Serum ferritin - (NPS411) - Normal 81 ug/L 13.00 - 150.00 ug/L

Vitamin D 153 nmol/L

I have been trying for 8 weeks to increase my levothyroxine from 100 to 112-120 but when I go above 110 I get anxious and antsy. I am trying to increase every other day just by a smidge, but how long will it take doing it that way? thanks for your help. M x

Can't seem to find my results from 8 weeks ago.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

legsgran

Can't seem to find my results from 8 weeks ago.

You posted results in this post on 4th March:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[To find old posts, click on you avatar or user name, that takes you to your profile page where you can see old your old posts/replies].

If your GP wont do FT3 test then you should consider a private test to get TSH, FT4 and FT3 done at the same time, hundreds of us here have to do that.

Your folate is very low in range, recommended level is at least half way through range. A good, bioavailable B Complex will help there, consider Thorne Basic B or Igennus Super B.

Testing TSH on it's own isn't helpful, you need at least FT4 with it, preferably FT3 as well.

I have been trying for 8 weeks to increase my levothyroxine from 100 to 112-120 but when I go above 110 I get anxious and antsy. I am trying to increase every other day just by a smidge, but how long will it take doing it that way?

Sorry but I can't help with how long it will take as I don't have that problem, it looks like you need to take it very slowly.

[legsgran in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you. What is the difference between B12 and folate? If my B12 is high, and I increase my supplements to increase folate, won't that mean my B12 gets too high? confusing! And is my ferretin ok at 81 , or do I need to supplement? appreciate the help, xx

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to legsgran]

legsgran

What is the difference between B12 and folate? If my B12 is high, and I increase my supplements to increase folate, won't that mean my B12 gets too high?

They are two different B vitamins, folate being B9. They work together to help make red blood cells and to help iron work better in the body.

I increase my supplements to increase folate, won't that mean my B12 gets too high?

Excess B12 will be excreted. You need to increase your folate level, a B Complex will contain some B12, you can't avoid it.

is my ferretin ok at 81 , or do I need to supplement?

Your ferritin is perfect, it should be half way through range and with a range of 13-150 half way is 81.5, also we would never supplement with iron tablets on a ferritin result alone, we'd have to do an iron panel to see if we have iron deficiency. If we have enough serum iron then taking iron tablets for low ferritin would raise our serum iron levels and that wouldn't be a good idea. Too much iron is as bad as too little.

[legsgran in reply to SeasideSusie]

thank you. I am getting some Folate supplements today. Finally, if my THS level is going down from 2.1 to 1.5 does that mean that hopefully my increasing the levothyroxine is working? I know that you need the full panel, and I will get that done privately shortly, but would that be an indication? Sorry so many questions!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to legsgran]

I am getting some Folate supplements today

It's a B Complex you need, not folate alone, because we need to keep all the B vitamins balanced. You should have been taking B Complex alongside your B12 supplement anyway.

if my THS level is going down from 2.1 to 1.5 does that mean that hopefully my increasing the levothyroxine is working?

Yes, as long as you have done your blood test under exactly the same circumstances each time, i.e. same time of day, preferably no later than 9am, nothing to eat or drink except water before the test. This is because TSH level changes throughout the day, it's highest early morning and lowers throughout the day, and eating or drinking coffee will affect TSH.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you been supplementing any B12 ....either on its own or in a multivitamin?

If not...it’s likely the high B12 may be false high...due to shortage of other B vitamins...that’s why it’s important to supplement a daily good quality vitamin B complex...this keeps all B vitamins in balance

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, (or even start on just half a tablet for first week or two). Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast.

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...

Vitamin D is very high. Presumably you have been supplementing, you need to reduce dose. Aim to keep vitamin D between 100nmol and 125nmol