Comments on my TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 please

[rjb112]

Appreciate your comments on my TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 please, especially in relation to a low energy level.

TSH: 1.99 uIU/mL (0.55 - 4.78)

Free T4: 1.2 ng/dL (0.67 - 1.52)

Free T3: 2.9 pg/mL (2.3 - 4.2)

I would like to have a lot more energy. My Primary Care MD is cautious on levothyroxine dosing because I have coronary artery disease. I'm on 75 micrograms of levothyroxine daily.

VITAMIN B12: 995 pg/mL (211 - 911) [High level]

FOLATE 18.30 ng/mL (3.00 - 20.00)

IRON 139 mcg/dL (35 - 140)

TIBC 290.4 mcg/dL (245.0 - 400.0)

PERCENT SATURATION 48 % (15 - 50)

TRANSFERRIN 207 mg/dL (212 - 360) [Low level]

VITAMIN D3 44.7 ng/mL (30.0 - 140.0)

[JAmanda]

I'd definitely want a dose increase. You have plenty of room in the ranges for an increase. I'm not a doctor but have no reason to think an increase would hurt your heart - quite likely the opposite as it will raise your T3 and perhaps reduce cholesterol. ... and you'll feel better and be more active...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ft4 is 62% through range Ft3 only 32% through range

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

Was test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test?

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[rjb112 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the link to that nice calculator.

"Was test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test?"

Yes.

"What vitamin supplements are you currently taking?"

I track my food intake on cronometer.com and only supplement those nutrients that show up as less than 100% intake. So I only supplement Vitamin B12, iodine, selenium, Vitamin D; I also take Vitamin K2 although that is not tracked by cronometer.com

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to rjb112]

Iodine is controversial supplement when on levothyroxine

Can be counter productive.

There’s strong views on both sides of argument re supplementing

Masses of views online either way

Have you tested iodine levels before supplementing

[rjb112 in reply to SlowDragon]

"Have you tested iodine levels before supplementing"?

No.

I supplement iodine because I do not consume any salt at all.

And I put my daily food intake into cronometer.com and it tells me that I am not always getting 100% of the RDA.

So that's why I supplement it.

But I don't do the mega doses that some people are taking.

Typically I take 200% of the RDA or slightly more.

The RDA is 150 micrograms.

Another reason I supplement it is that I consume a lot of cruciferous vegetables.

As you know, most people have no issues with iodine due to iodized salt.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to rjb112]

But hypothyroid patients need to be extremely careful with iodine

Levothyroxine contains all the iodine you likely need

Before other medications like Carbimazole were invented, hyperthyroid patients were treated with iodine to control thyroid levels

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Do you eat fish, dairy, eggs?

All high in iodine

[rjb112 in reply to SlowDragon]

That's very interesting SlowDragon. I had no idea that hyperthyroid patients were treated with iodine to control thyroid levels.

I've seen recommendations on the internet for taking extremely high levels of iodine.

I've never followed that advice.'

"Do you eat fish, dairy, eggs?"

When I was diagnosed with coronary artery disease, I started reading advice from a Cardiologist named Dr. Dean Ornish, MD

He has a program called The Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease.

It does not allow meat or the foods you mentioned, fish, dairy, or eggs.

I've been on a plant based diet over concern for the heart disease.

Have not wanted to add any plaque to the coronary arteries.

Another medical doctor has essentially the same program, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, MD. His book and program are called Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. It is also plant based.

Thanks for your interesting information

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to rjb112]

If effectively vegan, you might need iodine

Recommend you get tested

SeasideSusie has info on what’s the best sort of test

She may pop along

I imagine you can get this organised in USA

[rjb112 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon,Right, I'm not eating animal products.

I'm reading a bunch of medical doctors who recommend against animal foods for those with heart disease.

Thanks for the information on iodine

[helvella in reply to rjb112]

And did they also advise on how to get adequate B12 intake?

[rjb112 in reply to helvella]

"And did they also advise on how to get adequate B12 intake?"

Hi helvella,

I take it you are referring to the medical doctors who recommend a plant based diet?

They recommend supplementing Vitamin B12.

I take Vitamin B12 in pill form.

Looks like I am taking slightly too much, as my B12 level was a bit too high.

VITAMIN B12: 995 pg/mL (211 - 911) [High level]

[helvella in reply to rjb112]

Glad you are taking B12. But all too many who advocate plant-based diets completely ignore B12.

[helvella in reply to rjb112]

Most people in the UK do NOT regularly consume iodised salt.

Some processed foods are made with iodised salt (mainly those manufactured in Poland and Germany). But by far the majority of UK salt has no added iodine at all.

[rjb112 in reply to helvella]

Thanks. Good to know.