Ashwaghanda: I am thinking of buying this for my... - Thyroid UK

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Ashwaghanda

Margo profile image
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I am thinking of buying this for my fiancé. In the past he has had it and has said that he felt better. John has had recent blood tests, that look to me low thyroid even though of course there was no T3 reading.

Has anyone got suggestions on how to take, and the best products as I understand it also comes in powder form.

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Margo
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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Margo

Did you read all of the other thread on ashwagandha? It might be an idea to test cortisol first.

Or why not get a full thyroid panel to include FT3 before doing anything else, you said in a previous thread you were going to do that?

Margo profile image
Margo in reply to SeasideSusie

Yes you are absolutely right Susie, I did say he would do the bloods, I was trying to cut corners, after John said he felt better on Ashwaghanda. Trouble is every rabbit hole we go down costs, and it all adds up. He is seeing a private dentist on Monday to check his teeth are are not the cause of any problems, and it seems to go on and on.

He had a blood test that didn't throw anything out:

Free T4 10.4. (7.9 -n 16)

TSH. 3.53 (0.3 - 5)

Serum ferritin. 130. (15 -300)

Erythrocyte sedimentation. 2. (2 - 37). Seems a bit low

B12 1113. (120 - 900). Not taking any B12 supplements/injections. too high?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Margo

Margo

Free T4 10.4. (7.9 -n 16)

TSH. 3.53 (0.3 - 5)

Generally a normal healthy person with no thyroid problem would have TSH no higher than 2, often around 1, with FT4 around mid-range-ish. These results suggest that possibly he may go on to develop hypothyroidism.

I assume normal testing protocol was followed, ie test no later than 9am, nothing but water before test, no biotin or any supplement containing biotin for 3-7 days before test?

If so I'd do a full thyroid panel - TSH, FT4, FT3 plus both thyroid antibodies - TPO and Tg.

Serum ferritin. 130. (15 -300)

This seems fine.

Erythrocyte sedimentation. 2. (2 - 37). Seems a bit low

This is 2 with a range of 2-37? This is an inflammation marker so as with CRP (another inflammation marker and the one I am familiar with) low in range is better. This is what labtestsonline.org.uk say

Although a low ESR is not usually important, it can be seen with polycythaemia (a condition where a patient makes too many red blood cells), with extreme leucocytosis (patient has too many white blood cells), and with some protein abnormalities.

B12 1113. (120 - 900). Not taking any B12 supplements/injections. too high?

I don't know the threshold for doctors saying B12 is high, so he might want to mention this to his GP.

Anything else tested? It seems a strange mixture.

I take it folate and Vit D weren't tested?

Margo profile image
Margo in reply to SeasideSusie

Serum Folate 7.7 (2.5 - 9.999)

No Vitamin D tested.

The B12 result mentions myeloproliferative disorders, along with the Polycythemia, he has all those symptoms.

Yes I agree re. thyroid.

In the past John has had high bilirubin and turned yellow, but that passed, and also very low white blood cells.

I too picked up on polycythaemia, John has all the symptoms, out of breath, losing weight, very pale, with pinprick Purpura. on his body, he also eats enormous amounts, yet still getting thinner.

Yes early morning blood test, nothing tom eat or drink no supplements before the test.

We are going to ring the doctor surgery tomorrow and try to get an appointment, I want to discuss the results again, and ask him to do further investigations on John as I am so worried about him.

Thank you so much Susie for your help in this, very appreciated.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Margo

Serum Folate 7.7 (2.5 - 9.999)

That is on the low side. I believe the range is probably 9,999 which is rather silly really. When there is no top of range - eg >2.5 - or this rather ridiculous extremely wide range, we generally say aim for double figures - high teens or 20. It's not deficiency, just on the lowish side and would not prompt a doctor to prescribe anything.

The B12 result mentions myeloproliferative disorders, along with the Polycythemia, he has all those symptoms.

So it's best to discuss with GP and investigate further if necessary. If those comments were on the doctor's report then push for an explanation/investigation. Doctors are keen to dismiss things, we have to fight to get things done sometimes.

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