Blood test results and feeling "off"

[Molly161018]

I did my quarterly thyroid test last week, having brought it forward a bit due to feeling "off" - feeling very tired and lethargic, no libido, muscle weakness...this is despite stable thyroid levels that most would say look very good. Also had a lot of back and neck pain, which has been treated by an osteopath and is a lot better.

I'm taking 125mcg thyroxine and 12.5mcg T3. 2 x Thorne Basic B, plus a separate 400mcg folate supplement, 2 x 20mg Thorne gentle iron alternate days, vitamin D drops along with magnesium and vitamin k

INFLAMMATION

CRP HS X 4.5 mg/L (Range: < 3)

IRON STATUS

Ferritin 131 ug/L (Range: 30 - 150)

VITAMINS

Folate - Serum 36.8 nmol/L (Range: 8.83 - 60.8)

Vitamin B12 - Active >150 pmol/L (Range: 37.5 - 188)

Vitamin D 150 nmol/L (Range: 50 - 250)

THYROID HORMONES

TSH 0.0573 mIU/L (Range: 0.27 - 4.2)

Free T3 6.04 pmol/L (Range: 3.1 - 6.8)

Free Thyroxine 17 pmol/L (Range: 12 - 22)

AUTOIMMUNITY

Thyroglobulin Antibodies 19 kIU/L (Range: 0 - 115)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies X 38.1 kIU/L (Range: 0 - 34)

Inflammation is out of range and definitely up on last time when it was 1.2...I did have back and neck pain and headaches at the time of the test, which I have had osteopath treatment for, so wondering if this could be causing the high inflammation level? Also quite a bit of stress right now...

Ferratin is up on last time, but guess this is more related to the raised crp than anything else... although I have changed brand of supplement to try and increase my levels...I have done a separate iron test, will post these results separately.

Folate is looking better. Have been taking an separate supplement as well as Thorne basic b

B12 looks better than last time...any idea why it just says >150 though? Is it not very accurate?

Vitamin D is about the same. What should we be aiming for here?

Thyroid results are about the same as usual...

I was hoping someone could advise if there was anything particular in these results that might be causing these continued symptoms? It really seems to me that they're about average for me (bar the raised CRP, which could presumably be down to muscle/bone problems with my back and neck as much as anything else...?)

I have explored the possibility of b12 absorption issues, as a member suggested a while ago due to my fluctuating levels...spoken to my GP who said to come off my b complex for 1-2 months and then test. But I'm struggling to bring myself to so this as 1) it seems it can take more like 4-6 months to get out of your system, 2) I can't risk feeling worse at the moment as a lot going on, and 3) having joined the PA forum I'm even more confused!!

Sorry for the long post...any advice gratefully received x

[Molly161018]

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... link to iron results

[arTistapple]

I used to get chiropractic treatment as opposed to osteopathic treatment. Osteopathy is reported as being gentler than chiropractic. I can definitely attest to chiropractic working me. Thing is, all these treatments are designed to have an effect on the body. Moving things along etc etc towards health. I would not be surprised if inflammation markers were raised after such treatments. However it’s generally temporary until things resettle. Tiredness too was an outcome (naturally). Maybe, if you can handle it, you could leave messing with anything just at the moment. Sounds like you could be putting extra pressure on yourself “I can’t risk feeling worse at the moment as a lot going on”, makes it sound like that is a real possibility.

Under some duress about four months ago, I could not see what was happening to me. I was advised to leave things alone for enough weeks to let things settle. It’s been eye opening. My levels are down but the ‘steadiness’ has allowed me to think anew about what might be happening.

[Molly161018 in reply to arTistapple]

Thanks arTistapple. I actually did my test before the treatment, so I was thinking it probably was the tension caused by the back/neck pain rather than the treatment.Thanks for your advice re leaving things as they are for now...I think that's wise...

[Molly161018]

Jaydee1507 pennyannie greygoose

I know you're all busy...but I would so appreciate some more replies to my post xx (just tagged a few members who have been very helpful in the past!)

The link to my iron test results is also in the comments below

[greygoose in reply to Molly161018]

Might be a good idea to test cortisol. Especially if you're under a lot of stress. But nothing much stands out in those results.

[Molly161018 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you v.much greygoose for your reply, I haven't tested it for years, so defo think that could be worth pursuing...

[greygoose in reply to Molly161018]

You're welcome.

[Molly161018 in reply to greygoose]

Hello again greygoose. sorry just a bit confused re cortisol tests...looks like you can get a blood test or a saliva test on medichecks. Which is best?And would it be better to take it once the house moving stress is over?! Will my levels be higher anyway if going through a period of stress, but should come down once it's passed, or...?

[pennyannie in reply to Molly161018]

Hey there :

I've just seen this tag :

I don't think I can add much as you have already identified - painful neck and back = raised inflammation and possibly raised ferritin as seen in highish CRP :

I aim for a vitamin D of around 100: folate around 20 ; active B12 75++ ( serum B12 500++ ) and ferritin around 100:

I don't know enough about iron to answer more fully :

I don't take a T3/T4 combo so can't offer much advice on these readings either.

I now need to purchase my chicken livers from Waitrose - not as nice but seems Asda has stopped this range - at least down here in Cornwall.

[Molly161018 in reply to pennyannie]

Thanks so much for your reply pennyannie, very helpful and confirming 😊

[Molly161018 in reply to pennyannie]

And sorry about the chicken livers...

I've tried eating liver but can't stomach it! 😵‍💫

[pennyannie in reply to Molly161018]

Yes - it's not my choice either but in my case need and a generous dollop of Hellman's Mayo disguised the blitzed content.

[Molly161018 in reply to pennyannie]

😄😄

[Hidden]

How old are you? Is Perimenopause a consideration?

[Molly161018 in reply to Hidden]

No I'm 32...

[Hidden in reply to Molly161018]

I'm 37 and have been in peri for 5 years.

Unusual but ovarian failure can be autoimmune so might be worth keeping an eye out.

[Molly161018 in reply to Hidden]

Well everything else is functioning nice and regular! 😄 What signs would you look for?

[Hidden in reply to Molly161018]

Irregular periods were my first symptom, I think. Not hugely irregular but varying length cycles, bleed length, bleed heaviness, varying length of days spotting before/after. Literally no single part of my cycle is the same.

I've been having night sweats very sporadically but didn't realise. 🤣 Thought I'd just left the heating on too high at night. Same with hot flashes. I was having weird episode of my neck and under my chin feeling like the skin tightened and being prickly. It wasn't a full on 'hot flash'. vaginal dryness can present just as itching too.

I'm losing my leg hair too but I consider that a good symptom. 😂

My libido slowly disappearing has also been a big symptom for me.

[Molly161018]

Yes ok...I'm still pretty regular so hope I'm not heading there yet!! Although losing leg hair definitely sounds like a good thing! 😂