I posted last week re some very confusing low ranges for my TSH and T4 tests carried out by my GP. These were TSH 1.44 (range 0.33-5.6) and T4 15.4 (range 6.3-14). Well, I have just received my Medichecks results which I will put below. I will also put next to them what i received from Medichecks previously in May when I was tested by them before.
TSH - CURRENT = 1.38. MAY RESULT =1.26 (Ranges 0.27 - 4.2)
T4 - CURRENT = 17.3 MAY RESULT = 14.5 (Ranges 12 - 22)
T3 - CURRENT = 5.5 MAY RESULT = 5.3 (Ranges 3.1 - 6.8)
N.B Since the last medichecks test in May I increased from 50mcg to 75mcg. Any advice on this would be great.
I also had low vitamins in this current test:
Folate = 2.85 (range > 3.89)
B12 Active = 49.3 (not below range but they said it was low)
HDL Cholesteral = 1.3 ( > 1.3)
Any advice on increasing this and next steps would also be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Clem
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Cepayne98
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Re B12 -this is commonly low in hypothyroidism. Ive used Jarrows B12 under the tongue or there the Better than B12 spray that you spray under your tongue. Any excess B12 is excreted out. You coild buy a basic B12 complex like Thornes which also has folate in it which should help .
Before taking B12 supplements is there any history in your family of PA?
Assuming both tests were done under the same conditions (early morning blood draw, before eating or drinking anything but water, last dose of Levo 24 hours before test), then we can see an improvement in FT4 and FT3 levels - FT4 now 53%, was 25% through range and FT3 now 64.86%, was 59.46% through range.
As the aim of a treated hypo patient on Levo only, generally, is for TSH to be 1 or below with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their reference ranges, it looks like you have room for another increase in Levo. I'd try another 25mcg and retest in 6-8 weeks.
Folate = 2.85 (range > 3.89)
B12 Active = 49.3 (not below range but they said it was low)
Both of these results really need discussing with your GP.
◦Serum folate of less than 7 nanomol/L (3 micrograms/L) is used as a guide to indicate folate deficiency.
◦However, there is an indeterminate zone with folate levels of 7–10 nanomol/L (3–4.5 micrograms/L), so low folate should be interpreted as suggestive of deficiency and not diagnostic.
Your GP should be prescribing folic acid.
However, Active B12 below 70 suggests testing for B12 deficiency according to Viapath at St Thomas' Hospital:
If you do then list them to discuss with your GP and ask for testing for B12 deficiency and Pernicious Anaemia. Do not take any B12 supplements or folic acid/folate/B Complex supplements before further testing of B12 as this will mask signs of B12 deficiency and skew results.
Igennus Super B is good quality and cheap vitamin B complex. Contains folate. Full dose is two tablets per day. Many/most people may only need one tablet per day. Certainly only start on one per day (or even half tablet per day for first couple of 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
With such low B12 result taking a B12 supplement and a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months, then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
Was this test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
Ft4 is 53% through range
Ft3 is 64% through range
So you are a good converter
Retest thyroid levels in minimum of 6-8 weeks after improving B vitamins
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