Blood test results, vitamins and minerals

[Myalikki]

Hello everyone,

I had my next blood test on 7th March, 9:45am, last levo dose was about 8:30am the day before. At the time of the test I was taking 50mcg Accord/Almus, increased from 25mcg on 12th January 2023 (this involved a brand change, in fact I've had 3 different brands so far).

Results/GP comment:

Test result B12/folate level;Thyroid function test Report, Normal, No Further Action (Patient Informed). Result reviewed by GP - 16 Mar 2023 09:26

Serum free T4 level 16.1 pmol/L [11.1 - 22]

Serum TSH level 4.52 miu/L [0.27 - 4.2]

Serum vitamin B12 level 461 ng/L [197 - 771]

Serum folate level 2.7 ng/ml [1.9 - 25]

INTRINSIC FACTOR ABS Report, Satisfactory, No Further Action (Patient Informed). Result reviewed by GP - 16 Mar 2023 09:26

I can't see a value for the Intrinsic Factor ab test currently, it states "The results will be available on 04 April 2023 at 11:00" so only have the GP comment that it was "satisfactory".

On 17th March I had a telephone review with the GP, who started the conversation saying he was happy with all my blood test results, which I found a bit confusing as my TSH is out of range for someone without hypothyroidism, never mind someone in a period of levothyroxine titration... In any event, I said I was still very symptomatic on 50mcg and he immediately said to increase to 75mcg, wrote a second prescription for 25mcg tablets to go alongside my 50mcg prescription and said we will repeat the blood test in 3 months' time.

Given the GP wants to retest in 3 months' time instead of the usual 6-8 weeks, I think after 8 weeks on 75mcg I should do a private blood test to check everything properly (I've still never had a T3 result) but would like to work on my vitamins/minerals between now and then and would appreciate some advice.

I have finished my loading dose of 50,000 units D3 over 6 weeks (and took K2 with it), but this recent blood test didn't check what my vit D levels are now. I know I need to supplement with an over the counter product but don't really know how much to start with. Likewise, I know I need to supplement B12/B complex/folate but am not sure where to start in relation to my current levels (my last active B12 test was 26th January 2023 - 65.0 [37.5 - 188] pmol/L, and folate failed). Clearly my GP won't be prescribing B12 or folate, but presumably the “satisfactory” Intrinsic Factor ab result means pernicious anaemia as the cause of low B12 is not as likely and its okay to start supplementing now?

As always, really grateful for any advice and guidance from all you wonderful people!

Mya

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Myalikki

I have finished my loading dose of 50,000 units D3 over 6 weeks (and took K2 with it), but this recent blood test didn't check what my vit D levels are now. I know I need to supplement with an over the counter product but don't really know how much to start with.

You can't know what dose to continue with unless you retest. If your GP wont do it (which is common) then you should consider doing a private test. The easiest one is the dried blood spot test with an NHS lab which offers this to the general public:

vitamindtest.org.uk/

Once you have the result of this test come back for further guidance.

Don't forget that magnesium is an important cofactor of D3 (as well as K2). Magnesium helps the body convert D3 into it's usable form.

[Myalikki in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you, Seaside Susie, I have ordered the blood spot test so I can see what the loading dose has brought me up to.