Hi,
After my meltdown last week I managed to get a GP appt who was absolutely brilliant - completely agrees my symptoms were down to my thyroid and vitamins so has run some blood tests. Can anyone help to interpret the infertility tests? Why do I have high testosterone - it’s not something I’ve had before? Is it linked to the levo/T3? I know my B12 is dire - I’m hoping I can now ask for testing for pernicious anaemia. Unfortunately my iron wasn’t run so I will buy a kit for that.
Are you diagnosed as coeliac?
Presumably you are on strictly gluten free diet
High testosterone common with PCOS
PCOS and Hashimoto’s often go together
B12 and folate far too low
No vitamin D test result?
Vitamin levels likely low because you are under medicated
How much levothyroxine are you currently taking
How much T3
September:
Tsh 0.03 (0.38-5.33)
T4 11.5 (8-16)
T3 6.1 (3.1-6.9)
I felt well but anxious on this dose and my digestion wasn’t great so phoned my NHS consultant who dropped the T4 dose to 37.5mcg and keep the 5mcg T3.
I felt better dropping the T4 dose, I lost a bit of water retention and felt like the dragging sensation I experienced had lifted.
My bloods with this were taken a couple of weeks ago before my NHS review, they are below:
Tsh 3.37 (0.38-5.33)
T4 9.7 (8-16)
T3 3.8 (3.1-6.9)
Most people when adequately treated will have Ft4 and Ft3 at least 50-60% through range
Always test thyroid levels early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
Likely to need both Levothyroxine and T3 increased in several steps over coming months
once you have had testing done for Pernicious Anaemia
If PA test is negative and you don’t get B12 injections prescribed
Starting on daily B12 supplement first …..then after week or two add daily vitamin B complex
Low B12 symptoms
b12deficiency.info/signs-an...
methyl-life.com/blogs/defic...
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...
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-...
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 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
How other member saw how effective improving low B vitamins has been
September results
Free T4 (fT4) 11.5 pmol/L (8 - 16) 43.8%
Free T3 (fT3) 6.1 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.9) 78.9%
showed Ft4 (levothyroxine dose) likely too low
Suspect higher Ft3 might have been after a Hashimoto’s flare
Recent results
Free T4 (fT4) 9.7 pmol/L (8 - 16) 21.2%
Free T3 (fT3) 3.8 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.9) 18.4%
Clearly shows under medicated
Folate - Serum 4.3 ug/L (3.9 - 28.8) 1.6%
Vitamin B12 265 nmol/L (197 - 771) 11.8%
Thank you, I had my vitamin d tested previously which was slightly under so I’m already taking a vitamin d and k2 supplement. I’ve been diagnosed as a coeliac for 14 years now so no gluten and I’ve never experienced any issues with dairy. I think I can take these results now and fight for an increase in dose! I’ll also work hard on my b12 and folate if the test comes back negative.
Looking at your very low thyroid levels
Suggest you increase levothyroxine back to 50mcg daily
Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
After 4-6 weeks on 50mcg ….increase to 75mcg and 50mcg alternate days
Then retest after 6-8 weeks
After that likely to need addition of 2nd 5mcg dose T3
Retest again after another 6-8 weeks
what was vitamin D result
How much vitamin D are you currently taking
my vit d results:
74.6 nmol/L [> 75.0]
I’m taking the betteryou vitd 3000 and k2 spray. I’m hesitant to up my t4 as my water retention got better and consequently lost some weight for the first time in a long time when I dropped the dose last time - but I feel so lethargic I probably should just bite the bullet and do it.
I’ve googled PCOS symptoms and the only symptom I have of it is the weight gain, none of the others are me at all so can’t understand the high testosterone at all. I guess it’s something I will have to ask the endo.
it’s common phenomenon that when we initially reduce dose levothyroxine symptoms improve because as Ft4 drops conversion to Ft3 improves (and there’s still plenty of Ft4 to convert)
But once you reduce Ft4 …..after 2-3 months there’s not enough Ft4 to convert and Ft3 drops too
"The thyroid gland is involved in a wide range of bodily functions, such as metabolism and the production and concentration of hormones in the body. Studies have confirmed an indirect link between hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid condition) and testosterone levels. Hypothyroidism can cause a decline in the production of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which is integral for balancing the sex hormones in a person’s blood. If SHBG levels fall too low, testosterone levels may increase, and associated symptoms follow."
Help with results and GP recommendations
Test results and worried GP!
GP Results Compared to Medichecks 
Blood test results and dismissive GP
GP Dismissed Dio2 Test Result
