Blood test results- help please?

[Aquapuss]

Got my medichecks results back. Currently taking 150mcg levo daily. Would appreciate help interpreting these. I am also concerned that my folate is still low- have been supplementing with Igennus Super B complex since last medicheck showed low folate. Also Vit D and magnesium. I stopped them all a couple of weeks before testing. My inflammation is high but every test I have had shows low antibodies so don’t think I am autoimmune hypothyroid. Could it be MTHFR gene causing folate issue?

CRP 5.59 (0-5)

Ferritin 98.8 (13-150)

Folate 2.79 ( >3.89)

Vit B12 Active 118 ( 37.5-188)

Vit D 64.1 (50-200)

TSH 0.33 (0.27-4.2)

Free T3 4.46 (3.1-6.8)

Free T4 18.9 (12-22)

Thyroglobulin 12.9 ( <115)

Thyroid peroxidase <9 (<34)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Only need to stop vitamin B complex a week maximum before test

During that week you probably want to consider supplementing separate folate and maybe also a separate B12.

Vitamin D could be higher too

Only stop vitamin D the day before test

How much vitamin D are you currently taking

[Aquapuss in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks Slow Dragon. I take Better You spray vitamin D and K2 - 3000IU

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Aquapuss]

But you stopped 2 weeks before test?

Next time just don’t take vitamin D on morning of test

Likely result will be higher

[Aquapuss in reply to SlowDragon]

Are my thyroid results ok? More worried too about the CRP

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Aquapuss]

How do you feel

FT4: 18.9 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22) 69.00%

FT3: 4.46 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8) 36.76%

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

thyroid.dopiaza.org

Shows poor conversion

What’s GP say about high CRP

[Aquapuss]

I haven’t seen GP, but will ask to investigate CRP. I have seen the calculator link before so had saved it and checked percentages but what should they be? Have suspected I don’t convert well, still have dry skin, hair loss, fatigue and gain weight no matter what I eat. Been following WW since Nov, not lost any weight. Was thinking of trying to get T3 trial

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Aquapuss]

Looking for Ft3 at least 50% through range

Ever had high antibodies in past tests ?

Have you had ultrasound scan of thyroid

20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Paul Robson on atrophied thyroid - especially if no TPO antibodies

paulrobinsonthyroid.com/cou...

Are you on absolutely strictly gluten free diet

If not get coeliac blood test done BEFORE cutting gluten out as 3-6 months trial

Email Thyroid U.K. for list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologist and doctors who will prescribe T3

[e-mail]

[Aquapuss in reply to SlowDragon]

Don’t think my T3 has ever been more than about a third in range. Also never had raised antibodies so have assumed its not Hashimotos. Never had ultrasound, asked GP about a year ago when I had goitre but she said there was no reason to do it! Not on gluten free as I had coeliac test about a year ago, was ok. I will read the link. I have wondered about coeliac despite the result, had IBS symptoms for years, not generally bad now, think it was stress related but I have odd episodes where I feel v unwell, dodgy stomach and pain/fatigue

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Aquapuss]

Have you tested BOTH TPO and TG thyroid antibodies?

You can get ultrasound scan £120-£150 privately

Google for local to you service

Always worth trying strictly gluten free diet

Only 5% test positive for coeliac but approx further 80% find strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential

[JAmanda]

I’d add in a decent folate supplement.

[humanbean]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folat...

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

I struggle to keep my folate up, and my levels fluctuate a lot.

I take Igennus Super B every day and also take a 1000mcg methylfolate supplement four times a week. I aim to keep my level of folate in the teens, but if I ease off on the methylfolate supplement then next time I test my folate level is usually well under 10.

I don't think that the body stores folate so it must be provided in some form all the time, either in food, or in supplemental form if absorption is a problem.

Folate is required by the body to help make use of B12. Symptoms can arise with low folate because the body can't make use of B12 as a result. So deficiency of folate can lead to deficiency symptoms of B12, even if the body has plenty of B12.

[Aquapuss]

Thanks humanbean, that’s really helpful, didn’t know about folate and B12 connection. Interesting as my brother has to have B12 injections, maybe we both have a genetic folate absorption issue? Surprises me that am low on folate as I eat lots of folate rich foods

[humanbean in reply to Aquapuss]

It could be an absorption issue. They are quite common amongst people with thyroid disease. I don't know anything about genetic issues with folate, apart from possible MTHFR problems. (Another thing I know very, very little about.)

If you google MTHFR you'll find lots of links on the subject.