Advice before talking to Dr

[MrsQ20]

Hello all,

I realise it is Sunday evening but I am seeing the dr in the morning and was hoping for advice on what to say.

I spoke to the dr about ongoing symptoms of lack of energy and flu like body aches. She wanted me to have a range of blood tests before choosing a path. All blood tests have come back normal and my Serum TSH level 0.81 mIU/L [0.3 - 5.0] which is lowest it has been for a while and compares to 1.23 on 9th August. Following posting then I had a full iron panel which came back with these results. I have been taking Thorne Basic B since mid August but stopped a week before the blood test and I also take Selenium alternate days and magnesium at night. I also think I had Covid in early September.

Also my B12 is 520 ( 200-960), ferritin 66 (20-350), folate 6.9 (3-18)

I know HRT can affect absorption. Since taking HRT I have noticed some improvement in foot joint pain and an initial feeling of a being a bit more upbeat.

I don't know what to think as I have read so many health benefits of HRT but I just want to feel more normal.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[mstp]

Your ferritin, folate and B12 all look quite low to me. They need to be at an optimal levels for your body to be able to convert t4 to t3.

[MrsQ20 in reply to mstp]

Thank you for your reply - how do I get these up?

[healthkiwi]

The experts here will know far more than me, but last time you posted there was already a big question whether you are a poor converter.

Did you try the dopiaza link to get your percentage ranges for FT3 aand FT4? That may give you some useful information.

If your FT3 is in its boots while your FT4 is high, maybe the discussion with your Dr needs to be getting on to some T3 - as a trial? Might need referral to an endo, or self-sourcing.

Good luck.

[MrsQ20 in reply to healthkiwi]

thank you so much - yes I used the link and it is pretty bad. The advice on here was to try and optimise my blood and vitamin levels to see if that helped. I am speaking with a new doctor but her initial consultation suggested she was going to be led by TSH so I guess I have my work cut out.

[healthkiwi in reply to MrsQ20]

If you have enough time, try to put together a 'dossier' for your Dr. E.g. your chart with the %s added, and copy any of the useful links on this sitsite, such as dosing by bodyweight, official medical guidance on treating to resolve symptoms once on levo instead of relying on TSH, the facts like TSH should be below 1 and T3 in top half of range for most to feel well. There is so much info on this site - have it at your fingertips. Get that issue of low T3 on the table.

(Blind them with science!😉 Nothing more annoying than a well informed patient)

[healthkiwi]

And tell them you've been using information provided by Thyroid UK. (Don't mention website or forum)

[MrsQ20 in reply to healthkiwi]

Thank you so much - have done as you suggested. Going back in for full thyroid blood test and then they are going to phone specialist for advice. Going to stay on HRT in meantime. I did really emphasise the low T3 that I have had for some time. Fingers crossed.