Dad's results-help please in interpreting them for me!

[Lavender-Blue]

My Dad had his TSH done only again on Sunday 2/7/23; his TSH came back over 2.0. He took the meds at 3.30am early saturday Morning and had the test done at 8.30am on Sunday.

They were surprisingly lower than he test he had done in April when his TSH was 5.19 after taking his meds!

My Dad thinks he needs a reduction to bring his levels back up to the 5.0 mark, I have explained to him he needs an increase.

Considering that the GP has only done TSH I think it's best to go on MMH results. (GP says he is normal at 5.19!)

I paid for a MMH test for him on the 21/6/23; the test was done before meds, fasting and by 9.00am.

TSH: 3.35 (0.27 - 4.2 mU/L)

T4: 21.6 (12 - 22 pmol/L)

T3: 4.0 ( 3.1 - 6.8 pmol/L)

Among other tests done by GP on the 2/7/23 were:

Iron: 18 (Range 12.0-31.0) (results said slightly haeomolysed)

Serum Transferrin: 2.26 g/l (Range 2.2-3.7)

Serum TIBC: 59 (Range 45.0-81.0)

Transferrin Saturation Indes: 31% (sample said slightly haeomolysed)

Serum Ferritin: 81 ug/l Range 22.0-322.0 (sample said slightly haeomolysed

Any advise really appreciated so I can help my Dad!

Thank you in advance. x

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I don't understand how a sample can be "slightly haemolysed" - does that mean that the results are unreliable? I wouldn't want to put an interpretation on them personally. And that was a GP test? I'm surprised they put such information on the results sheet, I'd expect that comment from a private lab but not a GP.

His MMH results show poor conversion of T4 to T3 but his TSH is rather high for someone with such a high FT4.

Has he tested key nutrients lately? Are they at optimal levels?

[Lavender-Blue in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi SeasideSusie

The tests were done at an out of hours gp clinic.

I am trying to determine key nutrients.

He has a printout with full blood count; would that help?

If the above results were to be accurate, what are they telling us? X

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Lavender-Blue]

I am trying to determine key nutrients.

Have Vit D, B12 and Folate been tested?

He has a printout with full blood count; would that help?

Any out of range or borderline?

If the above results were to be accurate, what are they telling us?

For the iron panel I really don't want to commit to interpreting them I'm afraid, I just do not trust the "slightly haemolysed" as I do not know how it may affect results. You can work out for yourself based on information from

rt3-adrenals.org/Iron_test_...

Serum iron

• 55 to 70% of the range

• higher end for men

TIBC (total iron binding capacity) or Transferrin

• Low in range indicates lack of capacity for additional iron

• High in range indicates body's need for supplemental iron

Saturation

• optimal is 35 to 45%

• higher end for men

Ferritin

• Low level virtually always indicates need for iron supplementation

• High level with low serum iron/low saturation indicates inflammation

or infection

• High level with high serum iron and low TIBC indicates excess iron

• Over range with saturation above 45% suggests hemochromatosis

Some experts say the optimal ferritin level for thyroid function is 90-110ug/L

and use the thyroid calculator to work out percentage through range

thyroid.dopiaza.org/

You can use any of the "tests" for any result as long as it has a result, low limit of range and upper limit of range, ignore units, it will automatically give you the percentage when all three boxes have been filled.

[Lavender-Blue in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you SeasideSusie, I understand!

I have advised Dad to ask gp to repeat tests that are haemolysed when he sees gp next week.

I have also asked him to ask gp for: B12, vit d, folate too.

Thank you for the links and taking time to reply. 😊