Hi I was wondering if you would be able to advise me on my blood results
I was eventually diagnosed in 2015 with an under active thyroid , and have been taking levothyroxine since then I’m on 75 mg they have occasionally tried to reduce it but then TSH raises to high, T
I continue to steadily gain weight despite trying various diets which make no difference at all,
My cholesterol is high and m blood pressure is moderately high,
I continue to have no energy,
I have recently had private blood tests which show
TSH 0.57
Free T3 4.95
Free Thyroxine 16.9
Folate serum 2.99 ug/L
Vitamin B12 active 69.4 nmol/L
Vitamin D 88 nmol/L
Ferratin 1.30 ug/l
CRP HS 1.28
Thyroglobulin anti bodies 12 IU/ml
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies 12 IU/ml
I wondered if I might do better with some medication that contains some T3,
My doctor has always been very unhelpful , and not open to discuss any changes
Thank you
Written by
Yorki57
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Assuming that the reference ranges are the usual ones from the private labs and I'm guessing this is a Medichecks test (we always need ranges as they vary from lab to lab), then
TSH 0.57 (0.27-4.20)
Free T3 4.95 (3.1-6.8) = 50% through range
Free Thyroxine 16.9 (12-22) = 49% through range
I wondered if I might do better with some medication that contains some T3
No, as you can see your conversion of T4 to T3 is perfect.
However, for thyroid hormone to work properly we need optimal nutrient levels and you have some problems here:
Folate serum 2.99 ug/L
Is the range >3.89 or >2.89?
Whichever it is this is a dire result. Technically it is folate deficiency according to NICE:
If you do then list them to discuss with your GP and ask for testing for B12 deficiency and Pernicious Anaemia. Do not take any B12 supplements or folic acid/folate/B Complex supplements before further testing of B12 as this will mask signs of B12 deficiency and skew results.
Vitamin D 88 nmol/L
The Vit D Council, Vit D Society and Grassroots Health all recommend a level of 100-150nmol/L with a recent blog post on Grassroots Health recommending at least 125nmol/L. However, with summer upon us you might be able to make enough Vit D from the sun to raise your level naturally. It would be a good idea to retest Vit D at the end of October and see whether you need to supplement during the winter.
Ferratin 1.30 ug/l (13-150)
Can you please check this result? Is it really 1.3ug/L?
Ferritin is recommended to be half way through range (approx 82 with that range) although some experts say that the optimal level for thyroid function is 90-110ug/L.
So at the moment your priority is to optimise your nutrient levels and that may improve your thyroid hormone levels. However, an increase in your dose of Levo wouldn't go amiss, this would raise both FT4 and FT3. Maybe try and get a 25mcg increase and if GP is reluctant see if you can compromise on 12.5mcg daily. Retest 8 weeks later. If necessary, as your GP is unhelpful, can you see a different GP in the practice?
OK so your Ferritin is OK, I was rather shocked to see 1.30ug/L. So priorities are to address the folate deficiency after discussing B12 and seeing if further testing will be done. Plus get an increase in your Levo.
Thorne Basic B or Jarrow B Right are recommended options that contains folate, but both are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate methyl folate supplement and continue with separate B12
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months.
once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
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