Iron & thyroid results - not sure what to think!

[Evej13]

HI All,

Would like some comments on these results please:

Thyroid panels with dates (TSH is always suppressed at < 0.01):

2022-02-02 (112.5mg NDT for 6 weeks)

FT3 5.94 pmol/L (ref: 3.9 6.70 72.86% in range)

FT4 14.50 pmol/L (ref: 11.1 22 31.19% in range)

2022-03-05 (120mg NDT for 6 weeks. Felt a little overdosed)

FT3 6.62 pmol/L (ref: 3.9 6.70 97.14% in range)

FT4 15.40 pmol/L (ref: 11.1 22.00 39.45% in range)

2022-04-29 (112.5 NDT for 6 weeks)

FT3 6.30 pmol/L (ref: 3.9 6.70 85.71% in range)

FT4 12.40 pmol/L (ref: 11.1 22.00 11.93% in range)

Ferritin 56.00 ug/L (20 120.00 36.00% of ref)

Iron 10.00 umol/L (10 29.00 0.00 % of ref)

Iron Binding Capacity 68.00 umol/L ( 5 72.00 94.03% of ref)

Iron Saturation 15.00 % (14 51.00 2.70 % of ref)

My questions are about the big drop in FT4 at the last tests. I did test positive for covid April 10th. Could that have skewed my last test result? And does that mean I should just ignore that result or do I add some LT4 to my NDT to try to increase it? If I do add LT4, what might that do to my FT3 levels?

Thanks,

Eve

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Evej13

I commented on your iron panel in your other post.

I did test positive for covid April 10th. Could that have skewed my last test result?

It's possible. Nobody really knows how Covid or even the vaccinations affect the individual. I had no problems with the first two core vaccinations (Astra Zenica) but the booster I had was Pfizer and this made my hormone levels FT4/FT3 rise quite considerably so I had to alter my dose of thyroid meds. I'm sure this hasn't been the case for everyone so we all have to keep an eye on what's happening to ourselves and adjust things if necessary.

[Evej13 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks SeasideSusie.

I also had quite a change from the pfizer covid vaccine both times but mine dropped considerably.

1st jab: FT3 dropped from 6.39 to 4.57 (3.9 - 6.7) and FT4 dropped from 16.9 to 14.1 (12.0 - 22.0).

2nd jab: FT3 dropped from 6.46 to 5.95 and FT4 dropped from 16.4 to 15.6.

So do you think I should just ignore this new drop after having covid or should I add some LT4? If I do, what might happen to my FT3 which I think is a little low given my low FT4 level. Or do I wait it out? I can get another blood test in 3.5 weeks if needed.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Evej13]

I'm still keeping an eye on mine. I had the Pfizer booster in mid-November, my FT3 was more affected than FT4 and gradually rose to 100% of range by mid January so I reduced my dose of T3. By mid-March it had come down to 70% so I left the dose the same and will retest in a few weeks.

I would suggest that you just keep an eye on your levels and see if they settle. Ordinarily I wait 8 weeks after a dose change but even at 10 weeks things can still be settling down with me.

[Evej13 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi SeasideSusie ,

How does taking iron affect thyroid levels? Two weeks after starting iron supplements, I suddenly feel quite overdosed (I think - it's hard to tell with me). My last thyroid numbers were 6 weeks after dose reduction from 120mg NDT to 112.5:

Apr 29 2022

FT3: 6.3 (3.9 - 6.7) - 85.7% of ref.

FT4: 12.4 (11.1 - 22.0) - 9.2% of ref.

I had covid beginning of March. and had quite a drop in FT4 but appropriate drop in FT3 from my last results which were 6 weeks after increase from 112.5 to 120mg NDT:

Mar 15 2022

FT3: 6.62 (3.9 - 6.7) - 85.7% of ref.

FT4: 15.4 (11.1 - 22.0) - 39.5% of ref

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Evej13]

Evej13

I doubt whether the iron supplements would have any effect yet. It takes a long time to raise levels with iron tablets so it's unlikely that there is enough change in your levels yet to make your thyroid hormone work any better.

It could be the after effects of the Covid and hormone levels still changing/settling.

[Evej13 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Ugh. So you would still advise to wait it out?

What IS the affect of iron on thyroid levels?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Evej13]

When your iron, particularly ferritin, is optimal then thyroid hormone should work better so you'd maybe expect your hormone levels to increase somewhat. No experience, my ferritin is never anywhere near optimal.

[Evej13 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Oh dear. Sorry to hear that. My ferritin is 56, but I saw a functional MD who said that's inappropriately high given my iron. He's testing for inflammation which can increase ferritin.

[Evej13]

That sounds sensible, but I'm sure not feeling well at all!