Thank you all for responding so quickly and for the information already given. I didn't think about not taking medication for 24 hrs before taking a thyroid test. This might explain why I have just got a message from the doctor saying that my last blood test (last Tuesday) produced normal results. As you will see below the private test I had done (when I didn't take my medication prior to giving a sample) suggests I'm currently showing hyperthyroid symptoms indicating my thyroxine dose is high at the minute??
In response to one of the posts (sorry I can't remember who from) asking about manufacturer my pharmacist uses Almus. I think they did have a different supplier but Almus have been supplying for a couple of years at least.
As far as doses go I started off on 75/100 mcg (taking 75 one day and 100 the next) which increased to 100 then 125 but has come down to 100. I got a message back from a routine test earlier in the year suggesting my dose is too high and the private test I have just had done indicates the same, but the blood test last week says everything is alright. Generally each dose seemed to work for a few years before I needed a change.
I'm currently very low on tablets as I don't want to collect my current prescription then have to take unused tablets back that can't be reused in case the doctor changes my dose. I have been taking tablets every other day. I seem to feel worse (a slight headache, poor concentration / more anxious and a funny (start of a soar throat / throat after lots of shouting) feeling in my throat) on days when I have taken a tablet. I know this isn't good practice but I don't want to see tablets go to waste.
Anyway, after all that, private blood test results (taken on 19th July at 8:25am prior to taking my medication or eating / drinking).
The doctor at Blue Horizon commented on low TSH and high Free T4 (suggesting hyperthyroid symptoms). They also commented on the high Anti - Thyroglobulin (suggesting the condition is autoimmune) , slightly high Cortisol (who isn't stressed?) and B12 result. Apparently although B12 is in range it is at the low end and they suggest it should be somewhere above 400 pmol/l.
Sorry for all the information in one go but I hope it will provide some useful advice.
Thank you very much to anyone who can give some advice.
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Mouseandcat
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As you will see below the private test I had done (when I didn't take my medication prior to giving a sample) suggests I'm currently showing hyperthyroid symptoms indicating my thyroxine dose is high at the minute??
Blood tests don't show symptoms. Symptoms are what you feel. But, those results do not suggest over-medication because your FT3 is not even mid-range. You are only over-medicated if your FT3 is well over-range. What those results show is that you are a poor converter of T4 to T3, so any symptoms you have are more likely to be hypo than hyper - but sometimes it's difficult to tell the difference.
If you reduce your levo, not only will your FT4 go down, but so will your FT3, making you more hypo. But, yes, I would say you do have Hashi's with those antibody results.
Vitamin D (25 OH): 52 (50 - 175) nmol/l
This is much, much too low. Show this to your doctor and ask for loading doses of vit D.
When taking vit d, you also need to take magnesium. Ignore the magnesium test result, these tests aren't reliable, and not really worth doing. And, taking vit D will reduce your magnesium, anyway. You also need to take vit K2-MK7, because taking vit D increases absorption of calcium from food. The vit K2 makes sure this extra calcium goes into the teeth and bones, and doesn't build up in the arteries and soft tissues, causing problems.
Vitamin B12: 213 (145 - 569) pmol/l
Also much too low. And, I would suggest it should be over 500. Might be worth asking your doctor to test you for Pernicious Anemia with such a low result. Your folate could be a lot higher, too.
I'm currently very low on tablets as I don't want to collect my current prescription then have to take unused tablets back that can't be reused in case the doctor changes my dose.
Don't take them back! They'd only throw them away/dispose of them, anyway. Keep them incase you ever need to give yourself an increase in the future - you can keep them for a long, long time with no problem. It's nice to have your own little stash, just in case. And, they often can be used up by cutting them into halves or quarters.
Sorry for all the information in one go but I hope it will provide some useful advice.
Please don't apologise. The more info you can give the better for our understanding of what is happening to you, and therefore the more intelligent advice we can give.
Well, you did ask a question of forum members and as usual they came up trumps :
All information takes time to sink in and be understood :
It's a bit like a jigsaw puzzle and once you find and get the corner pieces in place, you will feel so much better knowing how you too can take back some control and understand the implications of optimal thyroid hormone conversion.
Even if we frequently don’t start on full replacement dose, most people need to increase levothyroxine dose slowly upwards in 25mcg steps (retesting 6-8 weeks after each increase) until eventually on, or near full replacement dose
Consider starting levothyroxine at a dosage of 1.6 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (rounded to the nearest 25 micrograms) for adults under 65 with primary hypothyroidism and no history of cardiovascular disease.
Traditionally we have tended to start patients on a low dose of levothyroxine and titrate it up over a period of months. RCT evidence suggests that for the majority of patients this is not necessary and may waste resources.
For patients aged >60y or with ischaemic heart disease, start levothyroxine at 25–50μg daily and titrate up every 3 to 6 weeks as tolerated.
For ALL other patients start at full replacement dose. For most this will equate to 1.6 μg/kg/day (approximately 100μg for a 60kg woman and 125μg for a 75kg man).
If you are starting treatment for subclinical hypothyroidism, this article advises starting at a dose close to the full treatment dose on the basis that it is difficult to assess symptom response unless a therapeutic dose has been trialled.
Thorne Basic B is a good option that contain folate, but is large capsule. You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule
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)
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
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months, then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
I would like to echo SlowDragon's and Greygoose's concerns about your B12 vitamin level!
Mine also showed as somewhat low but in range, but then it turned out I had a long term deficiency and it can be dangerous if left untreated. I didn't have any specific symptoms, just general fatigue and some rare mood swings which I always attributed to hypothyroidism.
A multi-vitamin won't fix a B12 deficiency even if it contains B12. One can either take jabs, or high dose B12 tablets, or other forms like sublingual. Tablets and sublingual may not work if you have Pernicious Anemia. If you take oral supplements and start developing strange symptoms like tingling in hands and feet, you should go see a doctor as sometimes symptoms of a B12 deficiency get worse when you start to address it.
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Blood test results - help please x
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