Blood test results: I would really appreciate... - Thyroid UK

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Blood test results

infomaniac profile image
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I would really appreciate some help with my latest blood results please. I've been having issues with hair loss, low mood, lack of energy.

I'm currently taking T3 - 12.50mcg and T4 - 75mcg

TSH 0.16 (0.23 - 5.50)

Free T3 2.66 (2.00 - 4.40)

Free T4 1.16 (0.80 -1 80 )

I'm confused as my TSH is really low while neither T3/T4 is particularly high?

Iron 81 (37 - 175)

Ferritin 226 (14-233)

I'm rather concerned by this as I've just read that high ferritin is a sign of inflammation. Is it possible to lower ferritin without raising iron?

Calcium 9.4 (8.5 -10.5)

B12 778 (200 -850) (I take supplements)

Folic Acid 5.3 (2.2 - 15.0) (I recently took a course of Folate but it doesn't seem to have made any difference)

Vit D 25 40.3 (Sufficient 30-100)

Thanks a lot.

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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

infomaniac

TSH 0.16 (0.23 - 5.50)

Free T3 2.66 (2.00 - 4.40)

Free T4 1.16 (0.80 -1 80 )

I'm confused as my TSH is really low while neither T3/T4 is particularly high?

TSH is low because you're taking T3, that's just what it does, so we don't need to worry about that. It's the FT4 and FT3 that are more important, and FT3 the most important one.

Your FT3 is very low in range considering you take T3.

When did you take your last doses of Levo and T3 before the test?

Last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before, last dose of T3 should be 8-12 hours before, splitting dose into 2 or 3 and adjusting time the day before if necessary.

If you followed the advised timing then your results suggest that an increase in your dose of T3 will be beneficial.

Iron 81 (37 - 175)

Ferritin 226 (14-233)

I'm rather concerned by this as I've just read that high ferritin is a sign of inflammation.

Yes, high ferritin can be a sign of inflammation or infection. If CRP is also tested at the same time that is also a non-specific inflammation marker so if that was high that would confirm inflammation and explain the high ferritin.

Is it possible to lower ferritin without raising iron?

If the raised ferritin is due to inflammation then that should naturally fall when inflammation goes.

B12 778 (200 -850) (I take supplements)

Folic Acid 5.3 (2.2 - 15.0) (I recently took a course of Folate but it doesn't seem to have made any difference)

What exactly were you taking? Are you continuing to take it?

When taking B12 we should also take a B Complex to keep all vitamins in balance. A good quality, bioavailable B Complex with 400mcg methylfolate should help to raise your folate level. Also look at including lots of folate rich foods in your diet.

As your B12 is now at the top of the range you can drop the B12 supplement, you don't need it, our B12 store is said to be good for at least 2 years. Just continue with a B Complex, that will contain some B12 to maintain your level.

My preference for B Complex is Thorne Basic B.

Vit D is recommended to be 40-60ng/ml with a recent blog post on Grassroots Health recommending at least 50ng/ml.

infomaniac profile image
infomaniac in reply toSeasideSusie

Thanks very much Susie.

I stopped my T4 24 hrs prior and T3 12 hours prior to the test. I know that T3 lowers TSH but is mine not too low? I'm sure I read something somewhere that too low isn't good ?

Iron ferritin: I last had my CRP tested in January and it was "normal". 2.23 (0.55-4.78) which I was really pleased about but it would seem like this has now changed. I wonder what I've done wrong?

I took Jarrow Formulas Methyl Folate as I'd noticed from previous test results that it was low. I only took one bottle (60 caps) and had my fingers crossed it would do the trick. I also take Igennus B Complex, which has 400mcg of methylfolate but it's obviously not enough. I eat loads of green veg so can't understand how I'm still low.

I am currently on Michael Mosley's Fast 800 diet so am eating really well: low carb, lots of veg, very low sugar etc. and have lost two stones so I felt like I was doing everything right...but it seems I'm still missing a crucial piece of the jigsaw.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toinfomaniac

infomaniac

I know that T3 lowers TSH but is mine not too low? I'm sure I read something somewhere that too low isn't good ?

Doctors would have us believe that suppressed TSH causes atrial fibrilation and osteoporosis. This can happen where TSH is suppressed and FT3 is over range where hypERthyroidism is concerned. It's not the same thing as low TSH which happens when T3 or NDT is taken.

My TSH has been suppressed for over 20 years, except on a couple of occasions when it just scraped into the very bottom of the range. Depending on which lab does my test - GP or private - and how low the machine measures, my TSH comes back as <0.005 or 0.005 or <0.02 or 0.02 or <0.01 or 0.01. I don't have atrial fibrilation nor do I have osteoporosis.

Iron ferritin: I last had my CRP tested in January and it was "normal". 2.23 (0.55-4.78) which I was really pleased about but it would seem like this has now changed. I wonder what I've done wrong?

It's not necessarily that you've done something wrong. You can't cause yourself to have inflammation, if that's what it is. But discuss with your GP, chances are that your GP wont be concerned, it's within the range albeit at the top end.

I took Jarrow Formulas Methyl Folate as I'd noticed from previous test results that it was low. I only took one bottle (60 caps) and had my fingers crossed it would do the trick. I also take Igennus B Complex, which has 400mcg of methylfolate but it's obviously not enough. I eat loads of green veg so can't understand how I'm still low.

Funnily enough, I eat brocolli probably 4 times a week and it doesn't help my folate level at all. I do best with Thorne Basic B as a B Complex. I did try Igennus at one point but it contains Vit C and this keeps the body from using the B12 contained in the supplement (they should be taken 2 hours apart) so I went back to Thorne.

infomaniac profile image
infomaniac in reply toSeasideSusie

I did have Atrial Fibrillation but have managed to downgrade it to a mere ectopic heartbeat so that's a bonus. It's pointless discussing anything with my GP. Nice lady but pretty hopeless. I went yesterday for my blood test and gave her a list of the 8 things I wanted tested. Did she ask me what I wanted it for? No chance! I live in Spain so have private health insurance so I suppose I should be grateful that she did the test but it would be nice if she took an interest! Thanks for the info re I genius- I didn't know that.

Localhero profile image
Localhero

I am currently on Michael Mosley's Fast 800 diet so am eating really well: low carb, lots of veg, very low sugar etc. and have lost two stones.

It’s wonderful that you’ve been able to lose weight. However, it’s possible that this form of eating is too extreme for your thyroid health. The thyroid needs a certain amount of calories to function. You might find you need somewhat more carbs in particular in order to feel well and get the FT3 higher.

infomaniac profile image
infomaniac in reply toLocalhero

I know it sounds extreme but I can honestly say I have never eaten so well! I'm now on the 2nd stage of the diet which is 5:2 and allows you to increase calories a bit so I am now eating more carbs.

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