Advice on T4 to T3 conversion: Hi, Please could... - Thyroid UK

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Advice on T4 to T3 conversion

Hi,

Please could someone advise me on whether my conversion from T4 to T3 looks OK?

Also, it was advised my Vitamin D was too high, even though it was in range, the Thriva GP said these levels could cause kidney stones - any thoughts on this?

I did a Thriva blood test and here are the results, (ranges in brackets):

TSH 4.42 (0.27 - 4.2) (previously 3.5 8 weeks ago when I was taking 50 ug T4)

FT4 19.6 (12-22)

FT3 4.5 (3.1 - 6.8)

T4 122 (66 - 181)

TgAB 25.3 (0 - 115)

TPO AB 130.2 (0-34)

Vitamin D 154 (50 - 200)

Folate 18.9 (8.83 - 45)

B12 47 (37.5 - 150)

For info, here's all my background:

I became ill around 2006 and was diagnosed with Hashimotos in 2013 but I just started taking thyroxine in March (after a loooong battle with GPs!!), so I'm still in the process of finding the right dose. I'm currently taking 75 ug Aristo T4. I know I'm still undermedicated and still have hypo symptoms, but wanted to know if anyone can tell if I'm converting to T3 OK, so I can know whether I may need to add T3 to my meds in the future. I plan to keep increasing the T4 for now. Thank you in advance for any insights.

I've been on a strictly gluten and dairy free diet since around 2013, I was strictly AIP (auto immune protocol diet) until 2017 and now mostly stick to an AIP diet, with occasional addition of nightshades or grains (mostly rice) for maybe 1 - 2 meals a week. They don't cause any noticeable reaction now, and I haven't noticed any worsening of symptoms with these reintroductions.

I supplement with Vitamin D, B vitamin complex (I stopped taking this one week before the blood test), magnesium, niacinamide, NAC, vit C and L-glutamine.

This site has been a lifeline to me, and is how I discovered the Aristo lactose free brand of T4. My doctor only offered me TEVA brand for a lactose free option and it made me horribly ill...so THANKYOU for saving me from a life of torture. I'm feeling so much better since starting T4, I've gone from practically bedbound for years to now being able to go out for walks and shower EVERY day!!....just getting to see the sky again standing on my own two legs is beyond words.

Thank you to all of you for being here. You have no idea how much you have helped me in my darkest hours, and without this site I would still be horribly ill on TEVA and have lost hope. You are genuinely changing lives you wonderful people!

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ElleMai

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12 Replies

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SlowDragonAdministrator3 years ago

Is your B12 result really 47? Or should it be 147?

If it’s 47 that’s extremely low

How much vitamin D are you currently supplementing?

You need to reduce to a maintenance dose

ElleMai• in reply toSlowDragon3 years ago

Hi, thanks for your reply! Yes my B12 is really 47! I usually take Metabolics B complex liquid daily which has 500 ug B12 per dose. I will mention my low B12 to my GP. I also take 2500 IU vitamin D liquid each day, so Ill reduce this to maybe every 3rd day? Many thanks for your input!

SlowDragonAdministrator• in reply toElleMai3 years ago

Don’t take any B vitamins until had further testing

See GP

Request serum B12 testing and testing for pernicious anaemia

ElleMai• in reply toSlowDragon3 years ago

Just spoke to my GP, and she's booking me in for full B12/folate/antibody blood testing. Thanks so much for the advice...I wouldn't have picked up on this otherwise. I appreciate it so much. 😊

shawsAdministrator• in reply toElleMai3 years ago

Yes, it is right to request a B12 blood test that excludes pernicious anaemia..

I have pernicious anaemia too, so once we have one autoimmune we can develop others. Just to have blood drawn isn't sufficient as many GPs seem unaware of symptoms and therefore don't always check to ensure we don't have other autoimmune diseases. I have several.

greygoose3 years ago

Are you taking vit K2-MK7 with your vit D?

I don't think it's the vit D itself that would cause kidney stones, but taking vit D increases absorption of calcium from food, and it's the extra calcium that might cause the kidney stones if it's not directed into the teeth and bones, and away from the soft tissues, like kidneys. Vit K2-MK7 does just that. Which is why we should always take it with vit D.