Frustrated

[mrsfen01]

ordered private blood test as constantly feeling tired, cant lose weight easily, mood swings, hair thinning, ZERO libido. Have felt like this for years but gp always says normal results, im convinced i have a thyroid problem. Instead of going back to gp i ordered this private test and here are my results. Showing within normal range but have read through a few posts online and here and normal range isnt necessarily 1 size fits all. Any advice would be great thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Approx how old are you

Pre or post menopause

What’s your diet like?

Vegetarian or vegan?

Gluten free or dairy free

What time was test done approx?

Do you currently take any vitamin supplements?

[mrsfen01 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi and thanks for responding.

41 years old

Pre menopausal

Follow slimming world diet

Not vegan/vegetarian/lactose/gluten

Test was done at 5pm

Taking centrum advanced daily multivitamins & calcium D3

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Thyroid levels look good

No antibodies

Good Ft3

Mid range Ft4 which is normal for someone not on replacement thyroid hormones

Vitamin D and ferritin good

B12 too low

Folate is deficient

GP should prescribe folic acid for folate deficiency

Once prescription for folic acid is finished, you could consider self supplementing vitamin B complex and separate B12

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) 

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

Difference between folate and folic acid 

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they 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 and separate B12

Low B12 symptoms 

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

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.

B12 drops 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

B12 sublingual lozenges 

amazon.co.uk/Jarrow-Methylc...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

B12 range in U.K. is too wide

Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

ALWAYS test thyroid levels early morning, ideally just before 9am to get highest TSH

Likely TSH would be over 3 testing early morning

Multivitamins are never recommended on here

Suggest you stop multivitamins

Start on vitamin B complex and add separate B12 two or three weeks later

Retest thyroid and vitamin levels 6-8 weeks after starting B12

Remember to stop taking vitamin B complex week before test