latest results please can you advise

[Pooty]

Hello all please can you advise me on my latest results and your thoughts before I see my new Doc on the 24/4. I started new dose of Levothyroxine 100mcg on the 9/3 up from 75mcg.

T3-4.40pmol/l ( 2.63-5.70)

T4-16.20pmol/l (9.01-19.05)

TSH-1.36miu/l (0.35-4.94)

Vit B12- 236pg/ml (187-883) stopped 7 days before last bloods.

Folate -9.6ng/ml (3.1-20.5)

Iron level -23.8umo/l (4.4-27.9)

Transferrin -2.79 (2.0-3.2)

Transferrin saturation - 33% (0-55)

Ferritin -116ng/ml (20-204)

Vit d - 25 Hydroxy 91.0 mmol/l (50-150)I am currently taking 4000iu daily.

Serum calcium -2.30mmol (2.10-255)

My symptoms have got a lot better except for excessive diarrhoea which comes and goes, this started after the new dose of 100mcg. I’m constantly cold with bone chilling coldness. Still gaining weight weekly. And my eyes still feel like they have grit in them and ache. Joints still aching but not so excessive.

Your advise will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

There’s nothing on your profile

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested for autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s

You need TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Assuming you aren’t already on strictly gluten free diet.,.,,,have you had coeliac blood test done if not …..request tested

Which brand of levothyroxine are you taking

[Pooty in reply to SlowDragon]

Hello SlowDragon thank you for your reply. I’m not sure what’s happened to my previous messages? I am taking Accord 100mcg. You did previously mention that I should look at going from 75mcg to 88mcg but the doc put me straight onto 100mcg. Please excuse my ignorance but what is TPO and TG? I havent had thyroid antibodies tested I don’t think! Yes I try to stay on gluten free and quite good with my diet but still gaining weight. I’ve never had coeliac test done so will ask for this.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pooty]

If already virtually gluten free no point testing for coeliac

Just try to be strictly gluten free

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune

Your GP should have tested thyroid antibodies at diagnosis

thyroiduk.org/thyroid-funct...

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies  (TPO Ab) – antibodies that attack the thyroid peroxidase enzyme  . The levels of these are raised in Hashimoto’s disease 

Thyroglobulin antibodies (TG Ab) – Antibodies that attack thyroglobulin. The levels rise as well as the TPO antibody levels in autoimmune  thyroiditis  , but to a lesser degree

Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies

20% of Hashimoto’s patients never have high thyroid antibodies at all

The fact you are gluten free ……and seen improvement? …..suggests it’s autoimmune

[Pooty in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon for the information.

I have an app with my new Doc next Monday so will ask these questions. I’m trying to understand my blood results above. Do they seem ok to you?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pooty]

FT4: 16.2 pmol/l (Range 9.01 - 19.05)

Ft4 71.61% through range

FT3: 4.4 pmol/l (Range 2.63 - 5.7)

Ft3 57.65% through range

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Vitamin D and ferritin good

Folate and B12 need improvement

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 separate B12 supplement and add a separate vitamin B Complex after a week 

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 

B12 drops 

natureprovides.com/products...

Or

B12 sublingual lozenges 

uk.iherb.com/pr/jarrow-form...

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 

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

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) 

Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay 

Other options 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

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 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Pooty in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much SlowDragon the information is incredible. I will read it again to take it all in and follow up with my doctor. I will keep you updated when I have more news. Thank you 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pooty]

Medics are not interested in vitamin levels, unless actually deficient

Thyroid patients have learnt the hard way, that, on replacement thyroid hormones it’s essential to maintain OPTIMAL vitamin levels

Many thousands of posts on here discussing vitamin levels and how and why to improve to GOOD levels