Interpret blood test results

[80-10]

I had a thyroidectomy in 2018, and do keep a close eye on dosage of Levo and blood test results. Having just done tests, I think I should probably lower the dose slightly, and would be interested to see if any of you knowledgeable people out there are in agreement.... or not! At the moment I take 75mcg per day.January '23 results:

TSH 1.63 (0.28-4.60)

FT3 2.72 (1.70-3.70)

FT4 0.98 (0.70-1,50)

March' 23 results :

TSH 1.54 (0.28-4.60)

FT3 2.64 (1.70 - 3.70)

FT4 1.01 (0.70-1.50)

July '23 results :

TSH 0. 2855 (0.28-4.6)

FT3 3.07 (1.70-3.70)

FT4 1.31 (0.70-1.50)

Thank you in antipation.

[GlowCoach Administrator]

What is making you think you need to reduce your dose?

How do you feel?

Free T4 (fT4) 1.31 pmol/L (.7 - 1.5) 76.3%

Free T3 (fT3) 3.07 pmol/L (1.7 - 3.7) 68.5%

Your TSH is still within range and free hormone levels in a good place.

What vitamin supplements are you taking and what were your latest vitamin results? Ferritin, folate, B12 & d3.

[80-10 in reply to GlowCoach]

Hi Jaydee. Thanks for your reply. The reason I was wondering whether to reduce the dose is because the latest reading is just inside the low end of the range, and over the last 7 months it seems to have gradually gone down and I don't want it to go down any further. I do get a frequent fluttering heart (misses a beat), which is something I would get before I had my thyroid removed, when I was suffering with an overactive thyroid.

I do not take vitamin supplements, and my latest vitamin results are

Ferritin 185.4 (15-150), Folic acid (Vit B9) 5.20 (3.1-20.5), Vitamin B12 560 (187-883), Vit D 56.3 (30-100 sufficient)

Thanks,

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to 80-10]

For now it might be a good idea to focus on your vitamin levels as we need OPTIMAL results for our thyroid hormone to work well.

Vit D. 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. Many members get on well with the Better You range that includes K2. Use this calculator to work out how much to take to get your level to 100-150. wildatlantichealth.com/vita...

Your folate is quite low in range. Folate - aim for a level of 20. Recommend taking an active/methyl (should say on label) B complex which contains 400mcgs folate (also B12)and will help keep all your B vitamins in balance. This B complex has all the right vitamins at a not unreasonable cost for 90 days supply. amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...?

I'd suggest retesting in 3 months when the vitamins have had a chance to work.

[Brightness14]

Like me you have no thyroid. If I had blood test results like yours I wouldn't be able to stand up let alone live life. Usually people like us are on a much higher dosage of Levo or NDT to feel well. How do you feel on that low dose.

[80-10 in reply to Brightness14]

I actually feel very well, although I get periods when my heart misses a beat, which it did frequently before the thyroidectomy, although this does not make me feel unwell, just a strange sensation.

[Brightness14 in reply to 80-10]

Good I am pleased for you that's great news on very little Levo.

[greygoose]

The reason I was wondering whether to reduce the dose is because the latest reading is just inside the low end of the range, and over the last 7 months it seems to have gradually gone down and I don't want it to go down any further. I do get a frequent fluttering heart (misses a beat)

I presume you're talking about your TSH, here? Well, it doesn't matter if it does go lower. TSH doesn't cause symptoms, so has nothing to do with your fluttering heart.

It's T3 that causes symptoms when it's too high or too low, and your latest FT3 is well within range. So reducing your levo would make that drop and probably make you feel worse. It could even be that your FT3 is not high enough, and that is what is making your heart flutter. And, hearts need a lot of T3, but symptoms of under and over-dosing can be the same.

[Longinthetooth]

HiYou really need to take the doctor/endocrinologist's advice regarding your dosage of levo. Obviously, if you're feeling poorly they will check your bloods, etc, to see if an alteration needs to be made. As usual, waiting for your body to adjust does take time before you begin to feel 'normal'. I'm no expert but have learnt to listen to their advice but also get the very helpful guidance from this site.

Hope you get sorted soon.