Blood test advice for NHS endocrinologist appointment

[BiscuitBaby]

Hi All

I posted a couple of months ago after getting private bloods back. I have now got an appointment with nhs endocrinologist so have had bloods done by surgery. The results are

Tsh<0.01

T4 12.5 (8-19.1)

T3 4.2 (2.4-6)

I take 125mcg t4 and 10mcg t3. Last dose on t4 24hrs before test and t3 about 11 hours.

These results are lower than medichecks but in the past I have tended to show increase in blood results then it drops again. I still have symptoms. Dry skin, hair, some fatigue, palpitations, weight gain, low exercise tolerance, palpitations initially improved on t3 but have crept back.

Is this enough to request increase? I've never seen the endo before. Only seeing him following a complaint to health board.

Thanks again in advance for advice.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Take your full private test results along too from 2 Months ago

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Vitamin levels needed improving

Are you now on strictly gluten free diet

[BiscuitBaby in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon I'm now on 4000 vitamin d since those results. I was taking Thorne basic b which I have stopped before bloods. Folate has risen on this. I tried gluten free but didn't feel any different. Had celiac test done which was negative. I also don't seem to get any obvious symptoms from gluten. My bowels have improved massively with the t3 which is great!

I just feel that I haven't quite got rid of symptoms. Is actually possible to be symptom free? Im 3 years into diagnosis and I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever be free of fatigue!

Thank you for taking the time to read and reply. It's much appreciated.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to BiscuitBaby]

Ferritin 52.7 ug/L (Range: 13 - 150)

Folate - Serum 5.98 ug/L (Range: > 3.89)

Vitamin B12 - Active 95.4 pmol/L (Range: 37.5 - 150)

Vitamin D X 47 nmol/L

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate methyl folate supplement (and separate B12)

Folate is low in this test result….but it does often drop rapidly when vitamin B complex is stopped. Looking for folate at least over 10

Are you taking any magnesium and vitamin K2 supplements as well as vitamin D

Ferritin could be higher too.

Look at increasing iron rich foods in diet

[SlowDragon Administrator]

FT4: 12.5 pmol/l (Range 8 - 19.1)

Ft4 only 40.54% through range

FT3: 4.2 pmol/l (Range 2.4 - 6)

Ft3 only 50.00% through range

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

thyroid.dopiaza.org

Many members on levothyroxine plus T3 would find these results too low…..but we are all different

Currently on 125mcg levothyroxine

Is it always same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Perhaps try small increase in levothyroxine to 137.5mcg two or three days a week?

Retest 6-9 weeks later

[BiscuitBaby in reply to SlowDragon]

HiThanks for advice. That's a good idea about the folate and b12. I never thought to do that. I was prescribed folate by gp but they never retested it. I'll look to doing that. K2 is in the vitamin d. I've not tried magnesium. It's something I was thinking about but I find it quite complicated to think through.

Now you mention it since my last bloods the chemist has changed my brand of levo to wockhardt. I think the last one was Almus?? I wonder if that has made a difference? I get disheartened as I seem to do OK for a while on a dose change then slip back. I see endo on Monday so I'm going to suggest upping both. Hopefully he'll be in agreement!