Test results, a penny for your thoughts?

[Starling87]

Hello everyone, just had my latest blood tests done. Just curious what you would say about them, if you have the time?

A few months ago I went up by 12.5mcg in an attempt to bring my TSH down to around 1 where I generally feel better. My weight is a lot better these days, my heart rate has finally calmed down and things are better than before I guess. Metabolism is finally kicking in back to normal.

Still struggling with mood swings and fatigue, and sleep hasn't been great. My hands and shoulder joints have been acting up a lot, which I think is related to the following:

Noticed that my vitamin D could be a lot better, but according to the GP everything is fine (I have a phone appointment in a few days so I'll flag the vitamin D)

It's just a bit odd, as I've been on 8000mcg every day for at least a year and yet my vitamin D stays low?

The last few months I've been taking it with vitamin K. I also take it with omega-3 and fatty foods. Worth noting is that I have even worked in sunny countries for 2 months previously and it didn't affect the test result that time either)

Just to add: yes the tests were taken before 9am before food + non water drink and I stopped with my B complex 2 weeks before test.

Supplements I take are magnesium, fiber, turmeric, vitamin D3, K2, Omega-3, B complex, pro/prebiotics.

Levothyroxine is 137.5mcg every morning on empty stomach.

Will post the first screenshot in this post and the other 2-3 in messages below as my phone isn't allowing me to put multiple ones in the same message...

[Starling87]

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[GlowCoach Administrator]

Your FT3 is still on the low side is probably why you still have symptoms. Also it looks like you are not converting well.

Free T4 (fT4) 19.5 pmol/L (12 - 22) 75.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 4.5 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 37.8%

Vit D, you need what you need. There are genes that can mean you need more than the average person. The D + K2 in oil drops can be good as all round better for absorption.

Which B complex are you taking? 2 weeks is too long to stop before the test for avoiding biotin, 5-7 days is plenty and you should take a separate B12 & folate during that time.

Your folate is deficient though so GP should prescribe 5mg folic acid.

Magnesium can affect the absorption of other vits etc so tke that well away from others.

[Starling87 in reply to GlowCoach]

Hi Jaydee, thanks for helping me out!

I can't remember the name of the B complex I'm using at the moment, but it came highly recommended. I'll let you know as soon as I have access to the bottle again..

I just checked my calendar and it seems to actually have been only 8 days I took a break from it before the test

Been on the B complex since beginning of December, before then I was on a high dose of methylfolate. Someone here advised me to skip the folate and just get a B complex instead, so I decided to try that, but...

Sounds like I need to get back on my methylfolate again then..! 😅

( my body doesn't absorb folic acid very well based on previous experiences, so I have to buy methylfolate on my own..)

Am curious about the T3.. Would this indicate I should be looking into taking it as well alongside levothyroxine?

Was hoping I'd be spared from the experience since everyone on here seems to have a really difficult time getting it prescribed..!

Oh and in regards to magnesium, I take it every night before bed, clear of any other supplements.

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to Starling87]

You probably need the B Complex + a separate folate. I take a total of 1800mcgs of folate a day continuously to keep my level to around 20.

It's likely that you would benefit from adding some T3 to your Levo. May not even need to drop any Levo to do that with its current percentage. I hear you about difficulties getting it prescribed, it's a nuisance but if you need it there's no way around that. You can self source or try NHS but probably best if affordable is private Endo option.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Starling87

Noticed that my vitamin D could be a lot better, but according to the GP everything is fine (I have a phone appointment in a few days so I'll flag the vitamin D)

It's just a bit odd, as I've been on 8000mcg every day for at least a year and yet my vitamin D stays low?

Your Vit D is not low, it's not too bad at all and would be absolutely fine for some people. The Vit D Council, Vit D Society and Grassroots Health all recommend a level of 100-150nmol/L. Some other sites say 80nmol/L plus. GPs will generally only prescribe for levels to reach either 50 or 75nmol/L.

The last few months I've been taking it with vitamin K. I also take it with omega-3 and fatty foods. Worth noting is that I have even worked in sunny countries for 2 months previously and it didn't affect the test result that time either)

Are you taking magnesium? Magnesium helps the body convert D3 into it's usable form. Taking D3 aids uptake of calcium from food and it's Vit K2-MK7 that directs calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems such ask kidney stones, calcification of arteries, etc. Not everyone can make Vit D from the sun and need to supplement to achieve a decent level.

[Starling87 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi Susie, thanks for replying!

Ah I see.. Since I was only 40 over the limit (90 between range 50-250) when I was already on a decent dose of vitamin D, I just thought it might be indicating something strange.. Was hoping that would have been the reason my joints have been iffy the last year.

Am curious if I would feel any different if my numbers were more in the middle of the range?

And yep, take magnesium every night!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Starling87]

I find that I prefer to keep mine nearer 150, everyone is different, so you could aim higher and see how you feel