So I experimented with Metavive II Porcine Thyroid Complex 80mg for a few months, as I had many symptoms, but then I came off it and finally got a blood test about a month later privately, these results seem ok, but just wanted to double check as Free T4 is on the lower end. My ferritin is 9 if that matters and not sure if high magnesium is an issue.
Magnesium High 1.02 range 0.7-1.0
Cortisol random 195 range 166-507
TSH 1.69 range 0.27-4.20
T4 total 91.3 range 66-181
Free T4 13.8 range 12-22
Free T3 4.89 range 3.1-6.8
Anti-throidperoxidase abs 9 range <34
Anti-throglobulin abs 12 range <115
Thanks
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DamagingGiraffe
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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.
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
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. ‘
I eat red meat regularly, perhaps every other day and fruit for vitamin c, so I struggle to believe I am truely low. My doctors did a full iron panel test last year I think, as my ferritin was 7, I think it came back within range, same as b12 and folate, but I can't hold of my previous results as my doctors are getting a new system and are only taking emergency appointments.
I have just bought some liver, so hoping that helps.
Thank, female 33 years old, light periods, pre-diabetic, fatty liver, doctors have run the coeliac disease blood test many times. I will ask my doctors if they will further blood tests.
Thanks, will do. Since my TSH is within range I wonder if they would allow an ultrasound but I will ask. I have a permanent feeling of a lump in my throat and sometimes have difficulty swallowing pills, but that may be irrelevant.
The doc asked me if I had a post nasal drip when I said I felt a lump in my throat and had trouble swallowing pills sometimes. What’s the connection please?
My answer was no, but I’ve since realised I’m quite often a bit stuffy.
Thanks, I have another question, the doctors keeps running tsh test, and it's gone from 2.4 to 1.69 since taking NDT for a 3 months, surely i should have a decent rise in free T4, yet its on the lower end. A low TSH and low T4 indicates hypothyroidism due to a problem involving the pituitary gland. Am I reading too much into this with only one blood test, or should I ask to investigate the pituitary gland, or is my free T4 simply lower because of nutritional deficiencies.
Metavive isn't the same as NDT it has no declared hormone content. Some people end up with low T4 & T3 on it. Others do well. And some only do well taking a fair amount of capsules. That might be partly why you may initially have felt well, then less so later.
' taking NDT for a 3 months, surely i should have a decent rise in free T4, yet its on the lower end.'
You should not assume that an OTC thyroid glandular will have the same effect as a prescription strength desiccated thyroid product. But even when actively taking prescription strength NDTs, FT4 tends to be low, whist FT3 is good. The T3 in desiccated thyroid will bring down the TSH. Some people find they need to add a lowish dose of levothyroxine (T4) to their desiccated thyroid to bring the FT4 up sufficiently to feel well.
'but then I came off it and finally got a blood test about a month later'
So, if you've not been taking any thyroid support at all for a month, either OTC or prescription, then this blood test gives a good indication of your own thyroid levels. You are negative for thyroid antibodies, so no autoimmune thyroid disease. The TSH, FT4 and FT3 levels suggest your thyroid is functioning reasonably ok at this point. It's doubtful that any doctor will agree to further investigation of your thyroid or pituitary function with those test results.
Perhaps focuss your attention on dietary aspects as the possible root cause of your symptoms (e.g. vitamins D, B12, ferritin), and consider trialling a totally gluten free diet as suggested by SlowDragon
Thanks, that makes sense, i initially felt good on metavive and felt like i lost some water weight but it didn't last. I have quite a few health issues and hoped thyroid was the missing piece but I think i will move on, looking at nutritional deficiencies.
As you are going to move on from thyroid being the root of your issues, I'm going to close this post to further comments so that people don't continue to comment here. if you need further help at some point, feel free to start a new post.
Thanks, full iron panel done in the past and within range, also B12 and folate, but never had vit D tested. I do feel like crap, cold hands, headaches, and brain fog/light headedness. I am reluctant to take iron as I have never felt improvement in the past and I eat a lot of meat, I can't see how I am missing anything diet wise. I have wondered if I am low in copper or vit A.
Iron/ferritin is notoriously slow and difficult to raise. If one type doesn't work for you then try another. Taking iron with something containing vitamin C like orange juice can help it absorb.
This may not even be diet related, just you're losing more than you are consuming or not absorbing as well as others.
Thanks, unfortunately my doctors are on the verge of closing, they now have temporary contracts and a new system underway, so all my previous results are not available at the moment, I wish i had saved them at the time! I'm hoping to get an appointment at some point, hopefully get more recent tests done. I would just order them privately, but i currently have no income.
I am not sure I can be much help, sorry! I have no thyroid diagnosis or previous thyroid blood tests to compare to, i have never previously taken medication for thyroid, so I took metavive out of curiosity only for 2-3 months, I initially felt better and feel a lot better than i do now, but I gradually started to feel cold and tired, so i stopped, then did this blood test about a month later. My asthma has gone since I took metavive, which is amazing and it hasnt come back yet... I Thought that perhaps I wasnt converting to T3 due to fatty liver, but my free T3 looks fine i think. I have no previous blood tests to compare to, but my TSH (the only thing my doctors will test) has gone down since metavive. I have lots of symptoms and hormone issues, that come and go, doctors useless and keep running the same tests, so i experiment with supplements, but without regular blood tests i have no idea whats going on!
They will probably not consider central hypothyroidism at the moment , because they won't think fT4 13.8 [12-22] is low enough for that diagnosis. If it's below range it's much easier to get them to consider central hypo .
How many weeks is it since you stopped taking any thyroid hormone ?
To get any diagnosis you will need to be off any thyroid hormone for a few months to allow the body to get back to it's own settled levels of TSH / fT4 .. taking thyroid hormone can alter TSH / fT4 levels for quite a long while after you stop.
if it's only been a month since you stopped taking metavive , I suggest you stay off it and test your TSH / fT4 again after another 6-8 weeks have passed. Results may be different then .
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