I seem to be experiencing classic thyroid related symptoms.
Sensitive to cold (below 21 degrees ish)
Chills even on a hot or very hot day . Goosebumps . So if exercising in the sun eg riding my bike this can be a problem as goosebumps stop you sweating!
Weight fluctuates
And others
I’ve had numerous thyroid function blood tests done by my GP all normal and so no other tests were carried out . (No matter what I said) other than a B12 test recently so :
I paid for a full thyroid test through Medicheck and the results are
Ferritin 114 (30-650)
Folate Serum 5.5 (8.83-60.8)
B12 Active 55 (25.1-165)
Vitamin D 62 (50-200)
TSH 3.44 (0.27-4.2)
Free T3 5.7 (3.1-6.8)
Free Throxine 17.4 (12-22)
Thyroglobulin Antibodies 13.8 (0-115)
Thyroid Peroxide Antibodies 8.3 (0-34)
CRP HS 0.68 (0-3)
The written reports Folate as low and B12 as a little low otherwise all ok.
My GP recently tested Folate & B12 so I knew about that .
I did have a brain tumour near the pituitary removed about 7 years ago . And I wondering if my symptoms might be related to that. I have a routine scan due soon anyway but I hope it’s not anything sinister like a recurrence of the tumour.
I’ve even asked my neurosurgeon to refer me to an endocrinologist I doubt that will happen. My body is telling me something is not right!
Please note -
I’ll update the GP results later for folate and B12
Written by
MrPump
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Welcome. Can you add the ranges for the blood tests please? That's the numbers in brackets after each result. They vary from lab to lab, you can edit your post.
Have you looked up the symptoms of low folate and B12? Are you vegan or vegetarian? There's a condition called Pernicious Anaemia that causes low B12.
Just for now, focus on the low B12 and folate as that will be depleting your energy a lot. Head over to the Pernicious Anaemia group here and ask some questions, get some advice.
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
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
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.
I’m a regular cyclist and even since my brain op I have cycled 80 plus miles in a day but now I’d struggle to do 30/40 through muscle weakness and fatigue. I can easily sleep for 10 hrs 14 is the record ! Lol And still feel tired later in the day. When I do feel tired I can not fight it! I must sleep.
no other medications : I’m generally very fit and healthy which is why I’m trying to get my GP to solve this . When they see I can ride a bike 30 miles they say nothing wrong with you but as I said I should be able to ride 60 to 100 miles . I’m surprised they were reluctant to do further tests with my tumour history . I had a meningioma but it was interestingly initially diagnosed as a Macro Pituitary Adenoma (it was big the size of a lime)
A 30 to 40 miles cycle run when the body is underpar is pushing it!
When did you start feeling like this?
Have the symptoms gradually increased over time?
You may be depleting your cellular T3, the active thyroid hormone, which among other things supports energy production. Cellular T3 cannot be measured, deficiency can only be judged by clinical evaluation/ how you feel.
FT3 looks fine but T3 remains inactive until it reaches the nuclei of the cells
Physical exercise increases serum glucocorticoids, which is believed to be involved in the fall of T3 after high intensity exercise.
Your name suggests that you work out regularly too....is that correct ?
Your Vit D and vit B12 are low ...these are essential to support thyroid function. Follow SlowDragon's advice re nutrients
Just a thought....but slowing down and optimising nutrients may be a good start
Mr Pump is just a nick name it’s not related to frequenting a gym : I hate home training bikes which are all the craze at the moment . I ride recreationally . I know that even 30 miles can be a big ask when not feeling good so I do listen to my body as far as I can. Sometimes I’ll just do 20 miles or less . Often at only a steady pace no racing for sure . I might up the pace on a good day just a little.
Yes this feeling weak has evolved overtime possibly since just before covid struck. I have never tested positive for covid.
The GP told me to start taking B12 tablets so I have ; I’ve been taking them for about a week or so.
The Medicheck physician suggests Folic Acid tablets
Well, I just have to say this. Your GP is ignorant, which is not uncommon where B12 is concerned.
Your Serum B12 test result is screaming that you should be testing for Pernicious Anaemia not just told to take B12 tablets. Please stop the B12 (and, god forbid, any folic acid that you might have been taking) and request full testing for B12 deficiency and Pernicious Anaemia. It's very likely that you need B12 injections, which it appears, some GPs are reluctant to give.
Check here to see if you have any signs/symptoms of B12 deficiency:
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 and if you have B12 deficiency is not detected and treated then this could affect your nervous system. B12 deficiency should be treated before starting folic acid because folic acid can sometimes improve your symptoms so much that is masks B12 deficiency.
You can get further help about this over on the Pernicius Anaemia forum here on HealthUnlockied:
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