Help with Blood Test Results

[Piglet1956]

Hello,

I would appreciate some help with reading my blood test results. There are important gaps in the results where I requested readings and so did my GP, but the lab has obviously decided to overrule. I was diagnosed with Hashimotos last July and on 50mcg Levothyroxine until my GP increased this to 75mcg 3 weeks ago following these results as I was clearly still having symptoms (dizziness, brain fog, poor sleep, brittle hair, dry skin). My feeling is that 75mcg isn't going to be enough. Also has anyone any tips to get labs to test for T3 or is it a case of private blood tests are the only answer? Thank you in anticipation.

TSH 2.53 (0.35-5mu/l)

Free T4 12 (9.0-21.0ρmol/l)

Free T3 no result

Cholesterol 7.6 HDL,LDL and Tryglycerides no result

Vitamin D 177 (100-200nmol/l)

Ferritin 185 (15-200ug/L)

Folate noresult

B12 no result

[Lalatoot]

Don't waste your money on private blood tests yet. Your TSH is still a bit high for someone on levo and your FT4 is still too low.You need an increase of levo- 25mcg. Wait 6 -8 weeks and then get the GP to do bloods again.

What you are looking for is a TSH somewhere around 1 and FT4 over halfway through range. Once that is the case it is time to look at ft3 and conversion.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Piglet1956

my GP increased this to 75mcg 3 weeks ago following these results as I was clearly still having symptoms (dizziness, brain fog, poor sleep, brittle hair, dry skin). My feeling is that 75mcg isn't going to be enough.

It can take a good 6 weeks for levels to settle after a dose increase, so we need to be patient and wait 6-8 weeks before retesting and adjusting dose, personally I have found that even 8 weeks sometimes isn't enough. So arrange to be retested 6-8 weeks after the increase to 75mcg then see what your levels are like. Most people feel better with TSH 1 or below and FT4/FT3 in the upper part of their ranges but everyone has their own sweet spot.

Also has anyone any tips to get labs to test for T3 or is it a case of private blood tests are the only answer?

FT3 is rarely done by the lab, even when requested by the GP. It's more likely to be done if TSH is below range.

Vit D and Ferritin are good. Do you supplement?

[Piglet1956 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes I do supplement after reading in this group that these are needed for absorption. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Piglet1956]

Piglet1956

In that case you have gone over the recommended level for both Vit D and Ferritin and it would be a good idea to reduce dose a bit.

Vit D is recommended to be 100-150nmol.

Ferritin is recommended to be half way through range. If you have been taking iron supplements then I would do an iron panel to check your serum iron and saturation % as well as Ferritin.

[Piglet1956 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you.

[humanbean in reply to Piglet1956]

Vitamin D 177 (100-200nmol/l)

Ferritin 185 (15-200ug/L)

If you are supplementing I think you need to either reduce your dose of vitamin D and iron or reduce the number of days a week you take your supplements.

What you need to find is the maintenance dose you require to keep your levels as close to optimal as possible. I don't know what your levels were like before supplementing, or how long it has taken for you to get your results where they are.

[Piglet1956 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you. Been supplementing for a year so will reduce days.