Hi all, I am new here and I would appreciate some advice regarding my latest blood test results. I am 60 years of age and approx 86 kg, I am suffering from a low heart beat, resting average 53 bpm and a large, scalloped and sometimes painful tongue. I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid back in 2017 and I am currently on 125 mg of Levothyroxine. Any advice/guidance much appreciated.
Thanks for your time
Steve
Welcome to the forum
Do you know if the cause of your hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies?
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
Was this test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
The most obvious thing that stands out is your very LOW B12 and folate
The fact you have low B12 symptoms as well (scalloped and enlarged tongue) GP should be testing for Pernicious Anaemia before starting B12 injections……or if not PA…..daily B12 supplements and folic acid supplements
You also need vitamin D levels tested
Likely to need to test these yourself
NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via
Thanks SlowDragon for your speedy replies. Blood test were first available in the morning, no food or drink and no levothyroxine in the previous 24 hours. Meds mostly Northstar 100mg and Northstar 25mg, seldomly a different one for the 25mg.
I will speak to GP re B12 and Folate and organise some further blood tests as suggested.
Many thanks for your help.
Kind Regards
Steve.
Northstar is Lloyds boxed levothyroxine
Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg are Accord brand
Also available boxed as Almus via Boots
Accord don’t make 25mcg tablets
Northstar 25mcg is Teva brand
Teva brand upsets many people
Suggest you request GP change prescription to read 50mcg tablets and then cut in half
Many many people find different brands are not interchangeable
Teva is especially difficult for many people to tolerate as it contains mannitol (changes gut biome)
gov.uk/drug-safety-update/l...
If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient.
Just spoke to GP about B12 and Folate being low, am fuming because in Range and despite being at the lower end he would not do anymore but simply recommended multivitamins. Have told him not happy and want a second opinion, I suspect they will close ranks and I will have to self medicate. Any suggestions on the best supplements appreciated please.Kind Regards
Steve
Ideally you should get tested for Pernicious Anaemia before starting any B vitamins
Perhaps ask on PAShealthunlocked
Assuming you can’t get tested…..l
supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too
Difference between folate and folic acid
chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...
B vitamins best taken after breakfast
Thorne Basic B is a recommended option that contains folate, but is large capsule. You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule
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
endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...
endocrinenews.endocrine.org...
Low B12 symptoms
b12deficiency.info/signs-an...
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.
B12 sublingual lozenges
amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Methylc...
cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Hi SlowDragon, would my Full Blood Count results give an indication of whether Pernicious Anaemia is a potential issue?
No
Thyroid test
Just testing TSH and Ft4 is inadequate
But GP unlikely to test Ft3
cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3
£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Test early Monday or Tuesday morning, doing blood test as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
Guidelines on dose levothyroxine by weight suggests you might be slightly under medicated
86 kilo x guidelines of 1.6mcg levothyroxine per kilo of your weight = 137mcg daily
Suggest you test via Monitor My Health
Come back with new post once you get results
Then push for slight dose increase in levothyroxine…..assuming test shows low Ft3
Blood results
Blood results
Blood Results
Blood test results 
Blood test results.
