Test results help analysing

[Fishface90]

hi, please could I have another opinion on my medicheck test results.

Drs notes say slightly low in but d but generally all ok.

Any advice would be great, thanks in advance .

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

The doctors report is generally of low if any value.

Did you do the test as per the protocol recommended here? Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw, last T3 dose 8-12 hours before blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process)? Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

What dose are you on?

Free T4 (fT4) 15.7 pmol/L (12 - 22) 37.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 4.5 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 37.8%

Along with low free hormone percentages your TSH is too high. people who feel well on Levo have a TSH at or just under 1 so you need to insist on a dose increase.

Are you taking any supplements, if so what?

Ferritin should be around 90 - 100 for best use of thyroid hormone. Suggest increasing iron rich foods in diet and eating them often. Chicken livers, pate, red meat etc

Folate & B12 could be higher. Recommend taking an active/methyl (should say on label) B complex which contains 400mcgs folate (also B12). This B complex has all the right vitamins at a not unreasonable cost for 90 days supply. amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...

Vitamin D should be around 100 - 150. Buy one that includes vit K2 to help it go to your bones. Some are available in oil or you can take it with an oily meal for better absorption. Use this calculator to work out how much to take to get your level to 100-150. wildatlantichealth.com/vita...

Thyroid antibodies negative on this test but may change and be positive on a different test as they do vary.

[Fishface90 in reply to Jaydee1507]

thank you for your reply.

I fasted and did not take my dose until after the blood test that morning. Was only about to get an appointment just before 10am.

I am on 100mcg Levo, I am still trying to understand my condos open even though I have had it a while.

Your advice and help is really appreciated. It can be very confusing without any help much help from a gp

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Make an appointment with GP

Email in these results before appointment

Request 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Meanwhile start working on improving low vitamins

When you come to retest thyroid and vitamins 6-8 weeks after dose increase in levothyroxine

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 (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg)

How other member saw how effective improving low B vitamins has been 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Fishface90 in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you for your reply.

I always have the same brand Accord and don’t take anything other than a multivitamin.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Fishface90]

multivitamins not recommended on here

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Most multivitamins contain iodine not recommended for anyone on levothyroxine

And most likely contains small amount biotin. You need to stop any supplements that contain biotin 3-7 days before blood test. 3 days likely enough for multivitamins

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Fishface90]

Have you had appointment with GP yet to get 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine

Accord only make 50mcg and 100mcg tablets 

Accord is also boxed as Almus via Boots, 

To stay on Accord brand request extra 50mcg tablets and cut in half to get 25mcg

Retest again in 6-8 weeks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ferritin, folate and Vitamin D all too low

Only add one supplement at a time

Then wait 10-14 days to assess results before adding another

Vitamin D needs improving to at least around 80nmol minimum

GP will often only prescribe to bring vitamin D levels to 50nmol.

Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol or even 80nmol

leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...

GP should advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)

mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...

But improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol by self supplementing may be better

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/218...

vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing 

vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function.

There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7. 

One spray = 1000iu

amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...

It’s trial and error what dose we need, with thyroid issues we frequently need higher dose than average

Vitamin D and thyroid disease 

grassrootshealth.net/blog/t...

Vitamin D may prevent Autoimmune disease 

newscientist.com/article/23...

Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7

Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, before bed but must be four hours away from levothyroxine

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

livescience.com/61866-magne...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Low folate

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

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg)