What to do next!

[Blister4]

Hello lovely people.

Had some recent private bloods done. I would appreciate any comments on them and advice. I’m not taking thyroid meds and diagnosed with Hashimoto a good few years ago.

Thanks 🙏🏻

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts

Never had high TSH

Take these results to GP, with Ft4 below range you should be referred to endocrinologist and started on levothyroxine

But need cortisol levels tested too

See yellow box “secondary hypothyroidism “

gps.northcentrallondonccg.n...

Approx how old are you?

If under 60 standard starter dose levothyroxine is 50mcg and blood should be retested 6-8 weeks later

Have you ever tested cortisol levels previously

Are you still on strictly gluten free diet

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Your ferritin is too low

But not low enough for GP to even test for anaemia

Look at increasing iron rich foods in diet

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...

In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency

Look at increasing iron rich foods in diet

Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption

List of iron rich foods

dailyiron.net

Links about iron and ferritin

An article that explains why Low ferritin and low thyroid levels are often linked

preventmiscarriage.com/iron...

irondisorders.org/too-littl...

davidg170.sg-host.com/wp-co...

Great in-depth article on low ferritin

oatext.com/iron-deficiency-...

drhedberg.com/ferritin-hypo...

This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.

Thyroid disease is as much about optimising vitamins as thyroid hormones

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

restartmed.com/hypothyroidi...

Post discussing just how long it can take to raise low ferritin

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing. It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron

Medichecks iron panel test

medichecks.com/products/iro...

Iron and thyroid link

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Posts discussing why important to do full iron panel test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Chicken livers if iron is good, but ferritin low

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Good explanations of iron

theironclinic.com/iron-defi...

theironclinic.com/ironc/wp/...

[Blister4 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi slowdragon

I’m working on my ferritin it has surprisingly increased it was 13 a month ago! My Gp did not even comment on it at 13.

Yes I’m strictly gluten free.

I have previously tested cortisol and it was on my list however I take adaptogens so I don’t think I’ll get a true picture…,if I’m thinking right?

Many thanks again for your input and continued support of all those in need of your knowledge.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Blister4]

I don’t know anything about adaptogens

SeasideSusie may know

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Blister4]

Blister4

I have previously tested cortisol and it was on my list however I take adaptogens so I don’t think I’ll get a true picture…,if I’m thinking right?

What is the reason for taking adaptogens?

Looking at your previous posts, in 2019 you were asking about blood cortisol testing and you did say you were going to do a saliva cortisol/DHEA test for your own personal use. Did you get this done?

Adaptogens are said to be balancing but they are known to lower cortisol.

If taking any adrenal supplements then regular testing is essential to keep an eye on your levels - I know this to my detriment. I saw a practioner who said my cortisol levels were high (they were high in range but not over range), so she suggested I take a certain supplement containing adaptogens but she didn't mention to retest at any time. It was 2 years before I thought to do so and my cortisol levels throughout the day (24 hour saliva test again) had plummeted to below range and I've never been able to get them back to a decent level with adrenal glandulars.

[Blister4 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I did retest but can’t place them, just old results from 2011. However I remember vaguely being low high high high. I was advised to take holy basil before my highs. I did not think about retesting!!

I’ll definitely get on with that.

Should I stop the holy basil prior to retesting?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Blister4]

Blister4

Should I stop the holy basil prior to retesting?

If it was me then no I wouldn't. You want to know what your current supplement regime is achieving, then base your next move on the results. If you stop now you don't know how long it will be for levels to move/settle so testing right after stopping now wont really be very helpful. This is just my take on it.

[Blister4 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thankyou for your input, my head is clearer and I’ve a plan of action now.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you had MRI of pituitary

GP or endocrinologist should be testing adrenals too and ultrasound scan of thyroid

Here’s the recommended private Regenerus cortisol test …testing cortisol and DHEA

regeneruslabs.com/products/...

cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...

Private ultrasound scan approx £150

Dio2 gene test might be useful too eventually, once you get started on levothyroxine

thyroiduk.org/deiodinase-2-...

[Blister4]

I’ve had an ultrasound scan a couple of years ago, the endo referred me. All normal.However he would not treat me at that point. No MRI of pituitary suggested or testing of adrenals!

I’m on HRT could that be affecting the results at all?