Help with Thyroid test results

[miravet]

Can someone please take a look at the test results below, both carried out by Monitormyhealth.

For the last 2 years I have suffered from unexplained anxiety, neck and shoulder pain, arm and leg muscle fatigue and a lot of ectopic heartbeats. started almost over night, full on, approx 2 weeks after my second covid vaccination.

Since then, my results have been pretty inconsistent.

I do have Pernicious anaemia , I self inject B12 as and when I feel the need. I also take 400mcg of folic acid daily.

My folate and b12, vit D always come back fine, but the last time I had my ferritin checked in 2021 the result was 64 uh/L Range 23 - 300

I just can't seem to feel well, I am still struggling with unexplained anxiety and ectopics ( no known heart issues ) and generally feel pretty rubbish

I currently take 100mcg of Accord thyroxine. ( still trying to tweak my dosage )

After the results from 25/05/2022 , I increased my thyroxine to 125mcg ( I buy my own 25's)

I wondered if there is any indication from my results that something isn't quite right ?

Thanks for any help given.

25/05/2022 Your result is 5.07 mu/L

TSH levels high (normal range 0.27 - 4.2 mU/L)

25/05/2022 Your result is 14.5 pmol/L

FT4 levels normal (normal range 12 - 22 pmol/L)

25/05/2022 Your result is 3.5 pmol/L

FT3 levels normal (normal range 3.1 - 6.8 pmol/L)

20/07/2022 Your result is 1.17 mu/L

TSH levels normal (normal range 0.27 - 4.2 mU/L)

20/07/2022 Your result is 22.5 mu/L

FT4 levels high (normal range 12 - 22 pmol/L)

20/07/2022 Your result is 4.4 mu/L

FT3 levels normal (normal range 3.1 - 6.8 pmol/L)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Presumably you have autoimmune thyroid disease, also called Hashimoto’s diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested by GP or privately

Also important to regularly retest vitamin D twice a year when supplementing

Test folate and ferritin at least annually

Rather than just taking folic acid

As you have B12 injections it’s recommended also to supplement a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels between injections too

Difference between folate and folic acid

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

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

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

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

How much vitamin D are you currently taking

Was last test done early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

[miravet in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi, thank you for the reply, I do have hashimotos, when last tested my antibodies were 200+, I think it was likely a private test, there seems to be no point asking the GP to test them as the last one I spoke to didn't even consider the T3 result as important.

I take 4000iu d3 daily .

I usually take folic acid as opposed to folate or methylfolate, mostly because it seems to suit me, I definetly can't take methyl, either cobalamin or folate. I get wierd symtoms taking either.

I did the test before 9am , but I take my thyroxine at bedtime and did take as normal the night before the test.

I tend not to take any 'multi' supplements as I am sensitive to a lot of the bulking agents they put in these. I might research and give them a go though.

I don't ask for a folate test regularly especially from the GP as it is tested along side B12 and as I self inject the B12 result usually sends them into a frenzy.

I generally advocate for my own health as i have zero confidence in NHS GP's . Their shocking lack of knowledge is frightening.

I was sort of more interested in the T4 / T3 ratios and whether mine were 'off' and whether it was worth trying a small addition of T3 ?

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to miravet]

So your last dose levothyroxine was only approx 10 hours before test

So Ft4 is falsely high. How much lower if 24 hours gap …..perhaps 18-19?

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

Ft3 has improved significantly

Suggest you retest again in another 6-8 weeks via Monitor My Health and see if Ft3 increased any further

If still getting palpitations/irregular heart beat/ectopics

You could experiment with splitting levothyroxine into 2 smaller doses (62.5mcg waking and at bedtime)

[Cornwaller]

Hi, I had anxiety when suffering b12 deficiency and much to my annoyance I have to take b12 shots every three days to prevent b12 deficiency symptoms creeping up on me. If I take a shot when I feel the need it results in me taking a shot every week or two. The problem then is the symptoms insidiously return but my mental state is such that I blame the symptoms on other things and I fail to see the b12 deficiency until I am really suffering.

I know that many authorities will say that every three days is theoretically unnecessary and I would agree; however, I've tried so many times to push the frequency back and every time the result is the same. Also from PA forums I know others have a similar response.

It is difficult to say whether increased or more systematic shots would relieve your symptoms; however, it might be worth considering.

[miravet in reply to Cornwaller]

Hi, thank you for the reply :), I think you are right, I need to sort out a more regulated regime for my B12 shots, I think I shall do one a day for 5 days, then go on to twice a week.