My latest results are much better and my symptoms are certainly reducing but I feel I have a good way to go still.
What would your views be regarding my current dosage of 25mcg levothyroxine?
I’d ideally like an increase to see if I can improve my symptoms further.
I feel my T4 could be higher and my TSH between 0.5 and 1?
Do you think this would be wise?
Results in comments for TSH.
T4 is 11.4. Many thanks in advance for your advice before I contact my gp 😊
What’s the actual TSH result
What’s the range on Ft4 (figures in brackets after result)
The aim of levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly upwards in 25mcg steps until Ft4 is in top 1/3 of range
Just testing TSH and Ft4 is inadequate
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis) diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
In U.K. medics never call it Hashimoto’s, just autoimmune thyroid disease (and they usually ignore the autoimmune aspect)
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins
medichecks.com/products/adv...
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then 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...
NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via
If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease). Ord’s is autoimmune without goitre.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...
Thank you! TSH is now 1.49 range 0.2-4.5.T4 is 11.4 range 7.0-17.0.
I’d like to aim for TSH 0.5-1 and T4 top third of range as per Nice guidelines but am anticipating difficultly getting a dose increase now I and ‘within range’.
My vit D was low so now supplementing accordingly with recommendations from TIP.
My B12 long term low so on EOD IM hydroxocobalamin.
So you think an increase to 50mcg levothyroxine should be the best option?
How low was vitamin D
How much vitamin D are you currently taking
What’s your diet like
Are you vegetarian or vegan
How low was B12
Have you had folate or iron and ferritin tested or thyroid antibodies
If not, request GP test these
Ft4 is only 44% through range
Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range
Request 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after dose increase
Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking
I did get private T3, TPOAb and TgAb and think I’ve just posted them in this thread?All normal I think?
Vit D was 55. I’m taking 10,000IU per day with K2MK7 and magnesium malate and magnesium glycinate after a meal of 15mg healthy fat (Brazil nots as they also contain selenium)
My latest B12 was 211 but v symptomatic. I’m pescatarian do no meat but eat lots of salmon, prawns and tuna and green veggies. Was as low as 104.
Folate 4.9. Am taking 5mg folic acid a day.
Ferritin 48. Will be starting 150mg elemental iron twice a day with 1000mg vit c each dose.
That’s a very high dose of vitamin D
How long have you been taking that much
Suggest you reduce to 3000-4000iu daily and test after 2 months on supplements
Low B12 and cold
supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be more beneficial than just folic acid
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 or Jarrow B Right are recommended options that contains folate, but both are large capsules. (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.
As a non meat eater you may need B12 ongoing
B12 sublingual lozenges
amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Methylc...
cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Thank you. Do my antibody results look normal to you?
Antibodies appear negative
However 20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies
Request ultrasound scan of thyroid
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Paul Robson on atrophied thyroid - especially if no TPO antibodies
Ferritin
Is the iron prescribed by GP
Never take iron supplements unless had full iron panel test done and iron is low
Low ferritin doesn’t necessarily mean low iron levels
Re your low B12 - before you supplement you should ensure you do not have a B12 deficiency (you could have pernicious anaemia). I have this condition and get a B12 injection monthly but it is usual to get an injection every 3 months.
I followed all correct advice for blood test. And I’m also adding my T3 TPOAb and TgAB in photos.
Still feeling Awful, but results are improving
Advice please on \"normal\" blood results
Thyroid levels normal, still feel crap
Further advice please :)
