Hi all, still struggling with chronic fatigue. I have been on Levothyroxine 100mg for about 27 years always felt tired. I decided to take a Medicheck advanced Thyroid function blood test. As my gp only tests my TSH yearly!!! Which was on 12/12/ 22 TSH 4.4 GP added 25mg of Teva still feeling breathless ,muscle aches, and exhaustion!!! I wonder if one of you knowledgeable ladies could check out my blood results. Ferritin 64.2ug/L (range 13 - 150
Folate -serum 17.95ug/L (range >3.89
B12 - Active 63.1 pmol/L (range 37.5 - 150)
Vitamin D 49 nmol (range 50-200)
TSH 0.72 mU/L (range 0.27 - 4.2)
Free T3 4.09 (range 3.1 -6.8)
Free Thyroxine - 18.7 pmol (range 12 -22
Any help would be much appreciated, i can't thank you enough for all the work and time you devote to helping fellow sufferers.
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Have you been supplementing anything since your similar post 2 years go?
Well done on the 25mcg dose increase. If we can keep on top of vitamins and keep them optimal it often helps with raising TSH and also conversion of T4 to T3 the active hormone. Your less than 50% FT3 will be causing you symptoms along with less than optimal vitamins.
Free T4 (fT4) 18.7 pmol/L (12 - 22) 67.0%
Free T3 (fT3) 4.09 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 26.8%
So as far as Levo goes you have plenty of room for an increase of 25mcgs but would have to be careful in case this pushes TSH over and your GP won't like that. It may be that you have a conversion issue but would need to see optimal vitamins and another raise in Levo to know that for sure.
Ferritin ideally should be 100 - eat chicken livers and pate a few times a week.
B12 could be higher. A good active/methyl B complex would help keep all the B's in balance and raise B12 & folate. This one is good. amazon.co.uk/Yipmai-Liposom...
Vit D, buy some D3 with K2 to help it go to the bones. Use thsi calculator to work out how much to take to get it to 100. grassrootshealth.net/projec...
Hi Jaydee, i must admit i am not consistent with vitamins. I didn't realise they need to be optimal for conversion! How long would i need to take them to have the desired effect and increase T3. I don't eat meat i eat dairy and fish, and also have been treated for SIBO by Gastroenterologist, i do wonder if i absorb nutrients now that i am in my 60s 😊! Thank you for your help.
Low vitamin levels also contribute to fatigue. Its really hard when you're struggling, but worth while focussing on taking the supplements regularly. As a pescetarian its all the more important as only certain vitamins can be got from meats etc.
Being hypo alone means we don't absorb vitamins due to the low stomach acid. Ageing is another factor for reduced absorption + you have the diet issue.
Work on the vitamins for3-4 months then retest and see where your FT3 is. If it's not up to much then perhaps consider adding some T3. A Levo increase would also help.
Hi SlowDragon thank you for your reply, i have been taking Accord brand for years but they don't do a 25mg so gp put me on teva? Since taking Teva i have developed TMJ maybe just a coincidence. I had Pneumonia in the March last year then a couple of months later Covid and have been struggling since. I do take B12, Vit D but not consistently.
Yes to all of above, take levo with water and wait an hour before breakfast. I take Vit D Viridian caps. 2000iu, Solgar magnesium 200, Viridian high twelve B-complex B12, I dont like the B12 they make me feel sick. Can you recommend any brands?
How long before test did you stop Vitamin B complex
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
I stopped B complex about a month before blood test. You have given me so much information which is really appreciated. I do feel i have a plan and fingers crossed I start feeling better in 3 months.
The accepted conversion ratio when on T4 - Levothyroxine only is said to be 1 / 3.50 - 4.50 T3/T4 with most of us feeling at out our best when we come in this range at 4 or under.
So to find how well you are converting the T4 into T3 simply divide your T4 by your T3 and I'm getting 4.60 so showing your conversion compromised and you struggling to convert the storage hormone T4 into the active hormone T3.
I've seem a lot worse - and this could be just a question of improving your core strength vitamins and minerals/
Everywhere I researched suggested ferritin needs to be over 70 for any thyroid hormone replacement to work well.
I now find I need my vitamins up and maintained at around 100 for ferritin : 20 for folate : active B12 around 75++ ( serum B12 500++ ) ad vitamin D at around 100:
We also generally feel best when our T4 is up in the top quadrant of its range as in theory this should convert to a higher level of T3 at around a 1/4 ratio - T3/T4 :
Currently your T4 is only around 67% so a dose increase is also likely a step in the right direction.
Is your treatment for SIBO now resolved - maybe this endo could sanction prescribing liquid T4 for you - it is more expensive and do not know the ' rules ' as to when it is offered.
Once on any form of thyroid hormone replacement the TSH is a total waste of time and money.
Forget the TSH - and the yearly thyroid function test is a complete waste of time and money.
Aim to get your core strength vitamin and minerals up and maintained at optimal and ask for a dose irease in T4, as your metabolism is running too slow for you, and work on getting your T4 into the top quadrant of the range.
I had problems taking 1000 vit B12 (made me feel motion sickness). I’ve changed to a 500ug and have no problems with that. And two doses several hours apart will equal 1000.
I have a problem with the Viridian high potency B complex they are too big and i always feel nauseaus after taking them. I think i need a B12 Cobalamin and a B Complex. Thanks for reply
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex
Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week
Hi SlowDragon, thanks for all the info, is it ok to take Vit D3, K2-MK-7, and Magnesium together? Bit confused as to what Vitamins needs to be taken together for better absorption. Thank you
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