Monitor My Health blood test results

[SovietSong]

Hi everyone, followed advice on here and took home blood test from Monitor My Health as I wanted to find my t3 levels(my surgery only ever tests t4 and tsh).Last bloods my surgery took showed tsh 8.04 and I had lots of symptoms of being undermedicated(100mg).I then decided to alternate 100mg and 150mg and a lot of the symptoms have gone. I still have left ear pain and small joint pain in hand.Will the other symptoms subside after a bit more time on the increased dose.Not sure what to do next, any advice would be appreciated thanks.

[Aurealis]

how long ago did you increase dose? If your symptoms haven’t all resolved, you may need another slight increase.

[SovietSong in reply to Aurealis]

Hi Aurealis, many thanks for the reply.I increased about 2 weeks ago, many of the symptoms have gone including the headaches, constipation and not feeling as fatigued either.The only symptoms that remain are pretty random, joint pain in right fingers, pain in left ear and some belching/burping straight after food/drink.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Thyroid Blood test should be 6-8 weeks after any increase

Testing 2 weeks after increasing levothyroxine is too soon

Always test thyroid levels early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

When did you last test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[SovietSong in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for reply SlowDragon. I take B12 and Vitamin D daily.I wouldn't usually take matters into my own hands and increase meds etc but I had gotten so fed up past few weeks with the many symptoms.My GP did a full sweep of bloods, kidneys, liver, blood pressure, blood count, arthritis markers, iron levels, urine. All clear and normal levels yet still won't hear of the levo dose being an issue.He told me quite confidently that ear pain/finger joint pain are not symptoms of inadequate levo meds!!!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to SovietSong]

How much vitamin D are you taking

When did you last test vitamin D

Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing 

vitamindtest.org.uk

Are you also taking vitamin K2 mk7 and magnesium?

Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7

Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

livescience.com/61866-magne...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

When were folate and B12 last tested

Rather than just taking B12 you might be better taking vitamin B complex as contains folate too and keeps all B vitamins in balance

Remember to stop taking vitamin B complex 5-7 days before any blood tests as contains biotin (used in lots of lab test equipment) ….biotin supplements can falsely affect blood test results

[SovietSong in reply to SlowDragon]

I think that will be my next port of call getting vitamin D, B12 and folate tested.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to SovietSong]

cheapest is to use Medichecks thyroid and vitamin test

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 continue separate B12

Low B12 symptoms 

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

If 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.

Suggest you retest after approx 8 weeks on 125mcg levothyroxine average per day

[shaws Administrator in reply to SovietSong]

A deficiency of B12 could be due to Pernicious Anaemia, so GP should check this as we need frequent B12 injections to have good levels of B12. Our stomach cannot absorb B12 if we have pernicious anaemia.

[pennyannie in reply to SovietSong]

Add ferritin to your list, as well as inflammation markers and thyroid antibodies though I know the latter is probably irrelevant as you haven't a thyroid.

When I researched it was suggested that ferritin needed to be over 70 for any thyroid hormone to work well - and most ranges are too wide to be sensible.

Being in the NHS ranges simply means you do not qualify for a prescription, and doesn't mean you may feel better if you did supplement yourself.

When you haven't a fully functioning working thyroid you need to maintain optimal levels of all of these core strength vitamins and minerals for optimalT4 to T3 conversion.

We generally feel at our best when your T4 is up in the top quadrant as this should convert to a good level of T3 - your T4 is at around 87% and your T3 at around 46% -

The conversion ratio is said to be 1 / 3.50 - 4.50 T3/T4 with most people feeling at their best when they come into this ratio at 4 or under.

So to find how well you are currently converting the T4 into T3 you simply divide the Free T4 by the Free T3 and I'm getting your ratio at 4.30 - so slightly wide of centre.

Optimal vitamins and minerals may well improve your symptoms and see your T3 increase and your T4 decrease on the same dose of thyroid hormone replacement.

Once vitamins and minerals are optimal we may find a dose increase in T4 does the trick but considering you have lost your own natural production of T3 you may well feel improved with a little T3 - Liothyronine possibly alongside a small reduction in T4 but it's too soon to say.

[SovietSong in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you pennyannie, lots of useful information there.Very much appreciated.

[Litatamon]

Your ear pain could be anything of course, but it is a documented symptom of b12 deficiency. You really shouldn't be supplementing until you get your b12 level. It is paramount to have your lowest number to get proper treatment.

[SovietSong in reply to Litatamon]

Thanks Litatamon, really grateful for all advice from everyone on here.A real balancing act trying to keep Levo, vitamins D, B12 etc near optimum levels.