Think i may have hypothyroidism. I have epilepsy and been using medication for 40yrs, sodium valproate/epilim. Just discovering it can stop vitamins and minerals being absorbed into the body properly and cause Thyroid problems. My bloods came back as deficient in vitamin D, as 24 nmol/l , testing range (40.0-250.0) but not in vitamin b12 or folate as within range, however i have symptoms that fit with low b12 and folate and results suggest to me that i am low, what does everyone else think?
serum vitamin B12 level 234pg/ml testing range ( 145-914.0)
Thank you for welcoming me here. Its my first time on a site like this.
Yes blood test were done by my local G.P. I have annual blood test because of being Epileptic.
I had original bloods taken in november and my TSH came back as 6.58mu/l range(0.3-5.6) so was told to re test in around 8 weeks
so got re tested end of december and now it is TSH 4.68 ( 0.3-5.6)
HOWEVER
results in November 2019 also showed high range with result being 5.21 ( 0.3-5.6)
basically at the moment i am on a fact finding and information gathering exercise as , apart from this time in November 2020 when it was 6.58 i have never been recalled for anything when infact, now i have obtained print outs of my blood results going back to june 2019, it looks to me like i have a possible underactive thyroid, been b12 and folate deficient along wit a couple of other problems.
so fact finding/ information gathering at the moment, so i am armed with information when i speak with them. Hope to phone tomorrow to arrange an appointment to talk about results
and yes speak with them about further testing and possible b12 injections.
As i say i am epileptic and have been for 40 yrs. Sadly i am only now discovering that anti epileptic drugs stop the normal absorption of vitamins and minerals into the body and it would seem some people get given the b12 injection to counteract this. sadly over the course of 40 yrs, no-one has ever told me i may need to take supplements or get injections.
Your TSH is too high Please see if your GP will test thyroid antibodies next time. The biggest single cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimotos (indicated by raised antibodies).
Currently, many GPs ignore an over-range TSH test until it goes waaaay over range (which rather makes a mockery of having an upper range as high as 4 or 5 to start with, give that in many countries you are treated as hypo when TSH is 3 or more ...) but will sometimes give you the levo you need if TSH is over-range (as it has been) and antibodies are high.
And if you are feeling lucky, ask for your actual thyroid hormones to be checked too - free T4 and free T3.
Always get your actual blood results (and lab ranges, which vary from lab to lab) - don't rely on some receptionist saying they're "fine" or "normal" or "in range" - you want actual numbers. You are legally entitled to your blood results, without giving a reason - although it's usually easiest to say "for my records" or to register for on-line access x
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Please see if your GP will test thyroid antibodies next time. The biggest single cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimotos (indicated by raised antibodies).
Blood test results - advice please.
B12 level too high (not supplementing)
Comments on my TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 please
