Blood results & hibernating

[Evelyn2020]

Hello, I need some advice. I have increased to 3 grains of NDT for last 3 months. Just received my results:

Serum free T3 level4.7pmol/L (3.10 - 6.80pmol/L)

Serum TSH level0.08mu/L (0.27 - 4.20mu/L)

Serum free T4 level11pmol/L (10.00 - 25.00pmol/L)

ferritin 39(> 20 normal)

I still feel like hibernating , cold and swollen.

Should I continue to increase ? or start adding some levo, I tried adding Tiromel 1 tablet but I feel even worse , perhaps because of low iron.

Not possible to speak to my endo atm.

any advice ?

Thanks

[pennyannie]

Hello there Evelyn

I think until you build up your core strength vitamins and minerals you will not be able to utilise well any thyroid hormone replacement.

I am taking NDT and I do now know through trial and experience that I need my ferritin up at around 100 for optimal conversion of the T4 content in Natural Descated Thyroid.

I also aim to keep my B12 , folate and vitamin D at optimal levels and now just have a yearly blood test to manage both my thyroid and vitamin supplementation.

I see you mention an endo - so is your NDT prescribed ?

Ideally when optimally medicate on NDT the TSH will go low suppressed : the T4 maybe low in range but the T3 should have risen and be high in the range.

Obviously this is also dependant on the timing of the bloods test to last dose -

Do you have any results of B12, folate, and vitamin D ?

Have any symptoms resolved since taking NDT -

Has your T3 risen from bench mark numbers before starting NDT ?

[Evelyn2020 in reply to pennyannie]

my ferritin even though one might think is low for me is months of prescribed iron so its lifted a little, i am keep working on it ( endometriosis, adenomyosis ) NDT is not prescribed but my endo gave his thumbs up and didnt ask where I get it from , he said I can add 1 grain ( I was on 2 at the time I had seen him last ) so I did gone up to 3 grains, and even though I have added 1 grain I still feel like a gummy bear in hibernation

I am taking NDT for 2,5 years and some symptoms have resolved but going back to feeling bad again thanks

[pennyannie in reply to Evelyn2020]

I think if you can try and get you ferritin up and over 70 you will definately feel a lot better.

Do you maintain B12, folate and viamin D at good levels as I find I need to keep all four of these vitamins and minerals optimal in order to convert the T4 component in the NDT.

My NDT contains 38 mcg T4 + 9 mcg T3 in every grain :

So if we accept that the average person utilises around 50 mcg T3 daily to function - if you are not able to utilise any of the T4 in the NDT you may well be relying solely on the T3 content and If this is the case it might suit you better to take T3 only.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Evelyn2020

ferritin 39(> 20 normal)

That is an usual way to report Ferritin. There is usually a proper range such as

13-150

15-300

20-400

Different ranges for male and female and different ranges for pre and post menopause.

Was there no proper range?

[Evelyn2020 in reply to SeasideSusie]

this is how my GP texted my results nope no proper range

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Evelyn2020]

Well, I'd say that your Ferritin is low (despite being >20) and Ferritin needs to be over 70 for thyroid hormone to work properly.

[greygoose]

Your Frees are very low considering your dose. Do you always take your NDT on an empty stomach and wait an hour before eating, etc. just like you would take levo?

[Evelyn2020]

thank you for this clue I take it in the morning and wait half an hour to one an hour before I have a coffee