Following my previous posts, I've had a full range of medicheck bloods done.
Previous low Ferritin of 20, so full iron panel results are:
*Iron 23.6 (6.6-26)
*TIBC 66 (41-77)
*Transferrin Saturation 36% (20-55)
*Ferritin 20 (optimum for females >27) No change in this result
Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated.
*Folate - Serum 13.9 ug/L (Range >2.9)
*Active B12 100 (Range 25.1-165) previously suggested I look into pernicious anaemia testing, does this seem necessary according to this result? Not taken B12 supplements for two weeks before this test result.
*Vitamin D 112 (50-200) I've been using a better you vitamin d spray.
*TSH 3.57 (0.27-4.2)
*Free T3 5.6 (3.1-6.8)
*Free thyroxine 16.3 (12-22)
These results are better than previous ones, I've reduced my gluten intake, but not strictly gluten free yet, this is the next step. This has also seemed to help reduce my TPO antibodies. Previously they are >1300
*Thyroglobulin Antibodies 187.0 (First time I've had this test)
*Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies 212 (0-34)
I feel a lot better than I did previously, so will continue to reduce then elimate gluten. Any thoughts on these results much appreciated. Thank you
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Chasing-rainbows
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Serum iron: 55 to 70% of the range, higher end for men - yours is 87.63% through range which tells us you don't need to take iron supplements.
Saturation: optimal is 35 to 45%, higher end for men - yours is 36% which tells us you don't need to take iron supplements.
Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC): Low in range indicates lack of capacity for additional iron, High in range indicates body's need for supplemental iron - yours is 69.44% through range so a bit out of odds with the other two results
Ferritin: Low level virtually always indicates need for iron supplementation - yours is low.
Despite your very low ferritin level your serum iron and saturation levels don't suggest that you need iron supplements. If you do take iron it will most likely take your serum iron over range and too much iron is as bad as too little. However, I am not medically trained so you may want to discuss these results with your GP and if he suggests taking iron tablets I would ask for them to be prescribed and regular monitoring to take place, that way he takes responsibility.
*Folate - Serum 13.9 ug/L (Range >2.9)
This result is fine.
*Active B12 100 (Range 25.1-165) previously suggested I look into pernicious anaemia testing, does this seem necessary according to this result? Not taken B12 supplements for two weeks before this test result.
Active B12 is said to be the better test and we always say here that 100 plus is a good result. I would drop the B12 and just take a B Complex now, this should maintain your folate and B12 levels.
*Vitamin D 112 (50-200) I've been using a better you vitamin d spray.
This is OK. The Vit D Society and Grassroots Health recommend a level of 100-150nmol/L, with a recent blog post on Grassroots Health mentioning a study which recommends over 125nmol/L. I would continue with the D3 spray at a maintenance dose, does it contain Vit K2-MK7 as well? And do you also take magnesium, another important cofactor of D3?
*TSH 3.57 (0.27-4.2)
*Free T3 5.6 (3.1-6.8)
*Free thyroxine 16.3 (12-22)
The aim of a treated hypo patient on Levo only, generally, is for TSH to be 1 or below with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their reference ranges. You TSH is too high and your FT4 is 43% through range. Room for an increase in Levo if you are symptomatic.
*Thyroglobulin Antibodies 187.0 (First time I've had this test)
*Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies 212 (0-34)
Raised antibodies confirm autoimmune thyroid disease (known to patients as Hashimoto's) which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.
Thank you SeasideSusie Could you recommend a good B Complex? I will continue with the Vitamin D, the one I use doesn't have Vit K2 but I know Better You do one with Vit K2, would you recommend I buy this one next time?
I don't take magnesium at the moment. The only supplements I'm currently taking are Vitamin D spray and Folate. I also have Better You iron spray 5mg and B12 spray but if my results seem to show no need for these I could not bother to re-start them?
I'm still not back on Levothyroxine, my new GP have contacted me to say they've now got my paper notes from my old surgery, but they haven't yet let me know whether to re-start Levo or not. Looking at my results, I am now wondering whether I can get on top of my thyroid levels by going strictly gluten free? I am doubtful that at these levels they would consider putting me back on Levo unless it is advised by Gynae from the recurrent miscarriage side of things, there is some confusion there especially since the previous NICE guidelines about keeping TSH below 2.0 when trying to conceive are no longer there.
For B Complex I like Thorne Basic B, it has bioavailable ingredients, ie methylfolate and methylcobalamin which are the better forms, if it was folic acid and cyanocobalamin then the body has to convert these to the bioavailable forms. 1 capsule a day should be enough. It's on offer on Amazon at the moment at a very good price:
If you look at different brands then look for the words "bioavailable" or "bioactive" and ensure they contain methylcobalamin (not cyanocobalamin) and methylfolate (not folic acid). Avoid any that contain Vit C as this stops the body from using the B12. Vit C and B12 need to be taken 2 hours apart.
When taking a B Complex we should leave this off for 3-7 days before any blood test because it contains biotin and this gives false results when biotin is used in the testing procedure (which most labs do).
I will continue with the Vitamin D, the one I use doesn't have Vit K2 but I know Better You do one with Vit K2, would you recommend I buy this one next time?
If you're happy with the BetterYou spray then there's no reason to not get the combined one next time. I just don't use the oral sprays because of the excipients.
I also have Better You iron spray 5mg and B12 spray but if my results seem to show no need for these I could not bother to re-start them?
Personally I'd not restart them. You don't want to take your serum iron any higher, it's more than high enough. Also, the B Complex will maintain your now good Active B12 level, you'd just be wasting your money taking a separate B12 now. Maybe repeat vitamin tests in a few months and see how things are.
Looking at my results, I am now wondering whether I can get on top of my thyroid levels by going strictly gluten free? I am doubtful that at these levels they would consider putting me back on Levo unless it is advised by Gynae from the recurrent miscarriage side of things, there is some confusion there especially since the previous NICE guidelines about keeping TSH below 2.0 when trying to conceive are no longer there.
I have my doubts about strictly gluten free improving your thyroid levels but you could see.
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