Blood results, is t4 low?

[JBL312]

Could someone interpret my most recent bloods please? All dosing timings followed. I have been having monthly B12 shots, is it too high now? Is my t4 ok? I take 125mg Levo and 50mcg t3 and have done so for a while now. My gp just looks at my suppressed tsh. Thank you In advance.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

JBLOVELL

I have been having monthly B12 shots, is it too high now?

Are these prescribed?

When having B12 injections you don't test, no point because testing after an injection gives a high result, testing when one's due probably gives a low result.

Could someone interpret my most recent bloods please?

How do you feel is an important question?

TSH is suppressed and where one expects it to be when taking T3.

FT4 is in the lower part of range and where one expects it to be when taking T3 with Levo.

FT3 is 63.89% through range so appears pretty good, one expects FT3 to be in the upper part of range and FT4 in lower part of range when on combo replacement.

Ferritin is on the low side at 56ug/L. It's recommended to be half way through range (110 with that range) and some experts say the optimal level for thyroid function is 90-110ug/L.

Folate at 2.9ug/L = folate deficiency and your doctor should address this.

[JBL312 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for responding. I feel brain foggy tired if that makes sense and not sleeping too well. My bowels are a little sluggish too. My b12 shots are private because they were just within range and I was feeling exhausted. My gp doesn’t seem to care about ferritin and folate. Excuse my ignorance but I thought the b12 would help that. How can I improve them?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to JBL312]

JBLOVELL

I'm not medically trained so don't know the science behind all this but B12 and B9 (folate) work together to help make red blood cells and to make iron work better in the body.

You have folate deficiency which needs to be treated.

According to NICE

cks.nice.org.uk/anaemia-b12...

Folate level

◦Serum folate of less than 7 nanomol/L (3 micrograms/L) is used as a guide to indicate folate deficiency.

So your GP should recognise this although he may want to do his own test but showing these results should prompt that. Folate deficiency is treated by your GP prescribing a course of high strength folic acid, usually 5mg daily I think.

By the way, when taking B12 in any form you should also take a good quality, bioavailable B Complex to help balance all the B vitamins. A B Complex will contain methylfolate and this may have prevented your folate level getting so low. I'm assuming you haven't been taking a B Complex?

Ferritin is your iron store and as I said it's not dire and doesn't suggest iron deficiency but you can't rule out iron deficiency without doing an iron panel which includes serum iron, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation percentage and ferritin. If your iron panel shows iron deficiency you would supplement with iron tablets and you'd need to regularly monitor your levels with an iron panel to prevent toxicity. If you don't have iron deficiency then you can help raise your ferritin level by eating liver regularly, maximum 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content, also liver pate, black pudding, and including lots of iron rich foods in your diet

bda.uk.com/resource/iron-ri...

everydayhealth.com/pictures...

[JBL312 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I’m so sorry, I only just saw your comment. How long would I need to take the folic acid ? You’re correct, I haven’t been taking a B complex, but will correct that. As always, thank you so much for your advice.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to JBL312]

JBLOVELL

As you have Folate deficiency you need to speak to your GP and and he should prescribe folic acid and will keep an eye on your level, the length of time you take it will likely depend on how well you improve. I've never had Folate deficiency so no experience of how long it may take.