Recent blood tests following increase 8 weeks ago of levothyroxine to 100mcg daily from 100mcg 3 x a week, 50mcg 4 x a week.
Could someone please help me to determine what supplements I should be taking. GP has suggested 1000 units of Vit d. I think my ferritin and possibly folate looks low also.
Tsh 0.16 (range:0.34-4.94)
T4 14.9 (9-19.1)
T3 3.9 (2.4-6)
Vit D 42 nmol (50-200)
Serum Ferritin 30 ug/L (30-250)
Serum Folate 5 ug/L (3-20.5)
Vit B12 397 Ng/L (200-900)
MCV 82.1 fl (75-105)
Thank you.
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Jacksonnz
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Thank you so much for your very informative reply. Test was done at 9.40am however I did not realise I should not take my levothyroxine beforehand - so was taken 2 hours prior. Yes the brand is the same (accord) and have been taking 100mcg per day since mid Jan 23. Prior to the increase in Jan, I had been taking 100mcg 3x a week and 50mcg 4 x a week. Following the dose increase in Jan, my tsh fell from 0.9 in Jan 23 to 0.12 (27/2/23) and 0.16 (3/23). My T4 also fell from 16.9 in Feb to 14.9 in March. Unfortunately i only have t3 results for March 23.
The doctor has not suggested any changes to current 100mcg per day. Also has not identified any issues with ferritin etc.
When you give a percentage through range, what should I be looking for please? Is there a target?
Thank you very much, I am pretty sure I have had antibodies tested some years ago however nothing was raised with me by the GP so assumed there was no problem. Forgive my ignorance but if you have tested negative for antibodies in the past, will you always be negative. Thanks and thank you for your amazing info.
Serum ferritin level is the biochemical test, which most reliably correlates with relative total body iron stores. In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency.
GP should be doing full iron panel test for anaemia
Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing. It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron
Meanwhile….Look at increasing iron rich foods in diet
Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption
This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.
We have received further information the lab about ferritin reference ranges. They confirm that they are sex dependent up to the age of 60, then beyond the age of 60 the reference range is the same for both sexes:
Males 16-60: 30-400 ug/L
Female's: 16-60: 30-150
Both >60: 30-650
The lower limit of 30 ug/L is in accordance with the updated NICE guidance and the upper limits are in accordance with guidance from the Association of Clinical Biochemists. ‘
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate 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
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)
Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock.
If you want to try a different brand in the meantime, one with virtually identical doses of the ingredients, and bioavailable too, then take a look at Vitablossom Liposomal B Complex. Amazon sometimes has it branded Vitablossom but it's also available there branded as Yipmai, it's the same supplement
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
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