Folate

[Hel66]

Hi I've recently had some private blood test results (Medichecks) and wonder if someone on this amazing site decipher them for me:

Ferritin 70ug/L (13-150)

Folate serum 4ug/L (2.9-14.5)

Vit b12 124pmol/L (25.1-165)

Vit d 106 nmol/L (50-200)

Tsh 0.4 ml/ul (0.27-4.2)

T3 4.5pmol/L (3.1-6.8)

Free thyroxine 17pmol/L (12-22)

I am feeling achy/fatigued still. Take Vit D and iron supplements which have improved my levels. Also on HRT.

Thanks in advance

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

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

Folate is low

Do you normally take a daily vitamin B complex?

Are you absolutely strictly gluten free

[Hel66 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon,

I take 112.5mg daily of levo (has always been Northstar brand).

Yes did blood test first thing before any food, drink.

I don't take any vit B complex.

I might have a tiny bit of gluten mixed into some meals and when I do my stomach doesn't seem to react badly. I do not eat bread, pasta, pastry, cakes...ever!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hel66]

Northstar 25mcg is Teva brand

Teva brand upsets many people

Ft4 is only 50% through range

Ft3 is only 37% through range

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

Likely to need dose increase in levothyroxine

Perhaps try 125mcg daily and retest in 6-8 weeks

Look at adding a daily good quality vitamin B complex

One with folate in

Remember to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin (eg vitamin B complex) a week before ALL blood tests as biotin can falsely affect test results

[Hel66 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for advice but think it will be impossible to get my levo increased by GP as had to fight for last increase!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hel66]

Then you likely need to see thyroid specialist endocrinologist to get next dose increase

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

Guidelines on dose levothyroxine by weight is approx 1.6mcg levothyroxine per kilo per day

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hel66]

Eating even tiniest amounts of gluten might be causing aches and pains