Confused - test results

[Clover9]

Nhs results FT4 13.6 (9-22), TSH 1.8 (0.1-4.0), Foliate 6.3 (more than 4), ferratin 33 (10-291). Test at 11am after breakfast.

So then I got a medichecks test a couple of weeks later (8am before breakfast)

Ferritin 94.1 ug/L (13 - 150) , Vitamin D 48.2 nmol (50 - 175)

TSH 2.65 mIU/L (0.27 - 4.2 ), Free T3 4.09 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8), Free Thyroxine (is this free T4?)14.1 pmol/L (12 - 22)

Thyroglobulin Antibodies 10.6 kIU/L (< 115)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies 34.8 kIU/L (< 34)

So ferratin was low but now isn't - how could this have changed so much? No obvious change in diet to explain it. Vit D is low. So I've started taking multivits with iron. Is this sensible?

Can anyone shed any light on the Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies which is above normal range? I haven't seen my gp yet, the medichecks overview just suggests monitoring it. Might this be the cause of my fatigue? And is there anything I can do about it?

Many thanks for your help, for me it's raised more questions than it's answered.

[greygoose]

So I've started taking multivits with iron. Is this sensible?

No, I'm afraid it isn't. Multi-vits are a bad idea for all sorts of reasons:

* If your multi contains iron, it will block the absorption of all the vitamins - you won't absorb a single one! Iron should be taken at least two hours away from any other supplement except vit C, which is necessary to aid absorption of iron, and protect the stomach.

* If your multi also contains calcium, the iron and calcium will bind together and you won't be able to absorb either of them.

* Multi's often contain things you shouldn't take or don't need : calcium, iodine, copper. These things should be tested before supplementing.

* Multi's often contain the cheapest, least absorbable form of the supplement : magnesium oxide, instead of magnesium citrate or one of the other good forms; cyanocobalamin instead of methylcobalamin; folic acid instead of methylfolate; etc. etc. etc. This is especially true of supermarket multis.

* Multi's do not contain enough of anything to help a true deficiency, even if you could absorb them.

* When taking several supplements, you should start them individually at two weekly intervals, not all at once as you would with a multi. Because, if you start them all at once, and something doesn't agree with you, you won't know which one it is and you'll be back to square one.

* Most supplements should be taken at least two hours away from thyroid hormone, but some - iron, vit D, magnesium and calcium (should you really need to take it) should be taken at least four hours away from thyroid hormone.

* The magnesium you take - and just about everybody need to take it - should be chosen according to what you want it to do:

Magnesium citrate: mild laxative, best for constipation.

Magnesium taurate: best for cardiovascular health.

Magnesium malate: best for fatigue – helps make ATP energy.

Magnesium glycinate: most bioavailable and absorbable form, non-laxative.

Magnesium chloride: for detoxing the cells and tissues, aids kidney function and can boost a sluggish metabolism.

Magnesium carbonate: good for people suffering with indigestion and acid reflux as it contains antacid properties.

Worst forms of magnesium: oxide, sulphate, glutamate and aspartate.

With a multivitamin, you are just throwing your money down the drain, at best, and doing actual harm at worst. Far better to build up your supplementation program based on the results of nutrient tests, plus their co-factors. A vitamin or a mineral is only going to help you if you need it, anyway. More of something you don’t need is not better, it's either pointless or even dangerous, as with iodine, calcium, iron or vit D.

Can anyone shed any light on the Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies which is above normal range? I haven't seen my gp yet,

Doubt if your GP will be able to explain anything about antibodies. What they means is that you have Hashi's. Do you know what Hashi's is? It's the main cause of hypothyroidism in the West. But, you're not actually hypo, yet, according to your TSH/FT4/FT3, although your thyroid is struggling to produce enough hormone. And, it's that that is causing your fatigue, not the antibodies themselves.

[Clover9 in reply to greygoose]

Wow, all these things I didn't know about them! Thanks for your detailed explanation, I think I need to throw them away and start again. I've suspected thyroid for some time, it started during pregnancy then got much worse with meno, on hrt and got a bit better but I'm still living a half life. I'm expecting my gp to refuse treatment as levels are within normal range though I've heard you can still feel lethargic at these levels. I thought I'd rule out vit/mineral deficiencies first but it seems I haven't been doing that very well.

[greygoose in reply to Clover9]

Yes, I think throwing them away is a good idea. The dustbin is the best place for all multi-vits!

Keep testing your thyroid. As you have Hashi's, there's going to come a point when you do go hypo, and your GP won't be able to ignore it. And over-range TSH and high antibodies, according to NICE, mean that he should be treating.