The results are in… and they’re strange?

[OudMood]

Hi everyone, here are my latest results from MMH. They look bizarre… I’ve never seen so high of TSH with a high FT3.

TSH 5.19 [0.27 -4.2]

FT4 14.2 [12-22] 22% through range

FT3 5.9 [3.1-6.8] 75.7% through range

I have been on 50 mcg of Teva (not lactose intolerant, just the tablets given by pharmacy) since December 2021 and this is my first test, GP one with vitamins due soon also.

My B12 is usually over range, whereas folate, vitD and iron on the lower end.

I supplement vit D 4,000 iu daily (loading dose finished, but maintaining this until test) - using mouth spray that was recommended here.

Also use folic acid 5mg daily (family planning) and eat my green leafy veggies.

For iron I just eat my meat 🤭 and trying to incorporate more organ meats to see how it goes.

Before my iron used to be low because my periods used to be like 14 days long (yes) and VERY heavy. This has now changed so the iron may be better because of that.

Test was administered at 8am exactly with last dose 24hr before BUT I had and ear infection and was on antibiotics.

What’s your take on this?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

A dose of 5 milligrams of folate/folic acid is a high dose.

It is usually a dose prescribed for at most a few months when someone has been very low. We have seen a number on such high doses who have felt very much better dropping down to, say, 400 micrograms (an over-the-counter dose).

[OudMood in reply to helvella]

I have that dose because of family planning.Diabetics must be on that those for 3 months before conception and I believe 3 months after.

So I’m on the folic acid on and off for a while just in case I do get pregnant.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ft4 is very low and reflects the high TSH

Low Ft4 shows you need next dose increase in levothyroxine up to 75mcg daily

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks time

Teva is only brand that makes 75mcg tablets

Your TSH is far too high for TTC yet

[OudMood in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks slow dragon.Im not actively TTC but, on Folic acid just in case…

That’s what I initially thought… but was thrown off by FT3 being so good?

I guess on the flip side the NHS lab won’t be testing FT3, so the gp won’t know 😂😂 (no fears of them getting confused!)

Should I advocate for an increase to 100mcg instead? I know it’s a large jump, but my full replacement dose based on weight is slightly over 200mcg.

I’ve been on this dose since December 😔

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to OudMood]

No it’s too much of a jump

Up to 75mcg and retest after 6-8 weeks using your MMH test

[OudMood in reply to SlowDragon]

I see..

Out of curiosity, how would this work?

Would I have to split my 50mcg tablet to create the 25? so 50+25?

Or take 50/100 on alternate days?or are there 75 mcg tablets?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to OudMood]

You’re on Teva 50mcg ?

Teva make 75mcg tablets

Alternatively GP can prescribe 25mcg tablets

[Lalatoot]

Nothing strange there when you factor in an ear infection and antibiotics.As SeasideSusie said to your last post, it is not a good idea to do a blood test with an ear infection and antibiotics. The results will be dodgy.

Antibiotics are well documented for affected thyroid hormone levels. I suspect that is why your TSH is higher and your ft4 lower.

As for the ft3. My suggestion is that in times of low ft4 the body tries to maintain status quo by improving conversion.

I would wait several weeks after finishing antibiotics before you test again

[OudMood in reply to Lalatoot]

Right.. I did think that the infection and antibiotics might be at play here.. have ordered the other MMH test on offer 😅

Now thinking “outside the box” since I’m after a dose increase, should I actually DO my GP blood test now as there will likely be no resistance to the dose increase given the high TSH and low FT4? 🤔

I can then do the MMH to see how things are actually going..

What’s your take on that?

[Lalatoot in reply to OudMood]

I think that sounds like a cunning plan 😁