Recent Blood Results After Increase In Levo

[Esinedharry]

Further to my last post where I reported that my G.P. Had agreed to increase my Levo from 50mcg to 75mcg as I was experiencing debilitating symptoms; I have just received the attached blood results. My FT3 and FT4 are still low in range 47.22 and 31.68 respectively. Which indicates I am still under medicated. I had vitamins tested this time but have no idea if the results are good, bad or indifferent. Please could one of you very experienced members advise me on this. Once again I have been told all results are ‘normal’ and no action required! I take 800iu vit D daily and 75mcg of Levo. The blood test was done at 8.10am. Last Levo dose was 24 hours before and nothing eaten before the test but a few sips of water taken. Any advise would be appreciated.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Esinedharry

Once again I have been told all results are ‘normal’ and no action required!

That's because they are within range but unfortunately they are not optimal.

nothing eaten before the test but a few sips of water taken.

You don't have to limit the amount of water you drink, you can have any amount, it's best to be well hydrated so the blood flows easily.

Your thyroid results do show you to be undermedicated, an increase in dose of Levo is suggested.

Vit D is OK but I prefer to keep mine at the top end of the range recommended by the Vit D Society and Grassroots Health - 100-150nmol/L. Your 800iu is barely a maintenance dose, if you want to increase your level I'd increase your dose to 2,000iu D3 and retest in 3 months. Are you also taking D3's important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K20-MK7?

Folate is very low at 4.1 (>3.00). It doesn't help when there is no proper range but in those cases it's suggested that folate level is in double figures.

B12 at 443ng/L (which is the same as pg/ml) is on the low side. According to an extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:

"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".

"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."

To raise both B12 and Folate I'd suggest supplementing with a good quality, bioavailable B Complex containing methylcobalamin and methylfolate. Recommended here are Thorne Basic B or Igennus Super B.

No Ferritin test?

[Esinedharry in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for this helpful advice. I intend to speak to my GP and request an increase of Levo. The vit D is on prescription so I will request an increase to 2000iu. With regard to the other supplements you recommend I will source and purchase them as soon as I can.

[Lotika in reply to Esinedharry]

You may face an argument about low TSH with the GP. On the basis that forewarned is fore-armed (or whatever they say) I have seen an article posted here which suggests a TSH over 0.04 will keep you safe from potential side effects of low TSH, so it might be worth trying to use the search function to see if you can find it to strengthen your argument with the GP and advocate for yourself. As you can see from your numbers, you are not close to 0.04.

Additionally, I think there could be something in either the Thyroid UK or BTF website which suggests we are not over medicated as long as fT3 is within range.

I am planning on collecting all this information for myself for the next trip to the endo as I am anticipating a debate about TSH!

[Esinedharry in reply to Lotika]

From your replies I wonder if you are in the US. If so things work slightly differently in the UK.

[Lotika in reply to Esinedharry]

No. I am in the U.K. and I’m about 90% certain that Scrumbler is too. Husband is American so about 20 years with him has completely corrupted my use of the English language and I sometimes use US cultural references thinking that everyone knows when maybe you only know if you’re married to one or otherwise close to or following stuff in the US!

I really do feel for you as I feel like the U.K. system is keeping so many of is unwell.

You’d likely be more of a “customer” in the US and have a slightly better chance of being listened to, although my sister-in-law was telling me that decent endos are hard to find there too.

[Esinedharry in reply to Lotika]

Ah I see I just thought you may be from the US. My plan is to see the NHS Endo but if I am unhappy with the response I will make arrangements to go private.

[Esinedharry]

Thank you I am struggling with the GP concerning my treatment. I am waiting for an appointment with an Endocrinologist. It will be a national health Endo so I am not hopeful that it will help but I have to go through the process before I can go privately.

[Lotika]

Lol! I feel like you know me too well already! It’ll start as a debate and if that doesn’t work, I’m going postal on his ass as they say in the US!

[JAmanda]

Start by agreeing with the doc that your results are normal then remind them that the NICE guidelines say Levo should be raised until symptoms are alleviated. Ask for a 25mcg increase and a retest in 6 weeks.

Nbthere are some ok nhs Endo s - Thyroid U.K. has a list. But start with doc. I'd remind him your tsh is not at all suppressed and that there's no danger of your going over range with a small increase - and if that did happen you'd reduce the meds!

Good luck.