Interpretation of Iodine test results

[Rock_chick1]

Can anyone advise me on these test results please. I have Hashimotos, CFS and am currently on a low dose of T3 so still feeling very poorly

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Rock_chick1

At a level of 16 it clearly shows you have a severe iodine deficit.

It would be unwise of anyone here to tell you how to address this as iodine should be supplemented under the supervision of an experienced practioner as there is a specific protocol when supplementing with iodine. I have no experience of this.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you only taking T3 or taking levothyroxine plus T3

Taking almost any dose of T3 with shut your own thyroid output right down

It’s important to be taking high enough dose levothyroxine before adding T3

What’s your diet like

Vegetarian or vegan?

Dairy free?

[Rock_chick1 in reply to SlowDragon]

It is just t3 only. Long story but I couldn't tolerate the smallest dose of levo so was left untreated for years then given liothyronine and I have got to only 35 and can't raise on that either. Big spike in heart rate and BP and I can't come off it as it has now suppressed my TSH and left me with virtually no T4 All my vits are good. I'm a mess and now on beta blockers

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Rock_chick1]

Which beta blocker?

Have you tried adding liquid levothyroxine

Are you seeing an endocrinologist?

You say all your vitamins are good.

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

I couldn’t tolerate high enough dose levothyroxine. Was on propranolol almost 20 years. Going absolutely strictly gluten free and all four vitamins optimal was key for me. More on my profile.

[Rock_chick1 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. Can you get liquid levo on NHS? I am on a low dose of bisoprolol but it make me more, lightheaded and tired and I'm already wiped out. I'm not under an endo and my gp is useless. I was under a private thyroid specialist via zoom calls but can't afford to see him anymore. I am gluten free and dairy free. It hasn't helped me feel better but it has helped my stomach. Here are my vits Vit D3+K2 drops

Betaine HCL

Phosphatidyl choline

Methyl folate

B12 Methtlclobamin

B6 (active form)

Just started

Saccharomyces boullardi

Probiotic

See test results

Vit results

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Rock_chick1]

Folate is very low

No ferritin result?

What’s your diet like

Do you eat fish

Dairy free, can make low iodine levels more likely

Rather than just taking folate, B6 and B12....vitamin B complex may be better

We are often low in B1 (thiamine)

Low folate

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

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 is another option that contain folate, but is large capsule

IMPORTANT If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Rock_chick1]

As you are dairy free, you will need lactose free levothyroxine

Teva or Aristo are lactose free Tablets

Or lactose free liquid

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

Which brand T3 are you currently taking

Presumably it’s lactose free

Liquid levothyroxine is expensive, but not as expensive as T3

[Rock_chick1 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for all this helpful advice. So I am gluten free and dairy free and can't eat eggs or fish because of allergies so definately need my vits. What range should folate be in out of interest? My ferratin used to be only 24-34 for 15 years. It is now 101 from a range of 13-150. Im very concerned about taking levo but will look into the liquid one if they would be willing to prescribe

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Rock_chick1]

Folate often doesn’t list top of range

Often just says more the 3 or something similar

Or might say 8-60 or 3-19

Ferritin now very good