Help with blood tests please - Triglycerides high again

[Newmummy82]

Hi All,

Would appreciate help with my recent blood test results please.

I am taking 75mcg/100mcg alternate days. Then upped my T3 in April to 12.5mcg per day after blood tests showed high cholesterol.

My recent tests show T3 increased from 4.3 to 5.47 so very positive increase.

LDL down from 3.4 in April to 3.25 now- still slightly over ref range

HDL - up from 1.45 to 1.52 in range

total cholesterol - up from 5.5 to 5.66 (don’t understand why it’s up if HDL is up and LDL is down?)

Triglycerides - This is the very confusing part- they were 1.85 in June 22 so above range. In April 23 they were 1.48 so in range and recent tests show they are 1.96, so high again. Why are they jumping up and down?

I fast regularly- could that have something to do with it? I had also just returned from holiday where I had been eating more and drinking more alcohol - could that have had an effect?

I’m going to make changes to diet and get more exercise - I have a very busy job (out of house 60 hours per week so finding time is hard)

should I up my T3 again hoping it will reduce my LDL further and maybe my Triglycerides?

Any help appreciated

[SlowDragon Administrator]

My recent tests show T3 increased from 4.3 to 5.47 so very positive increase.

What were Ft4 and TSH results

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

On T3 - day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day with last dose 8-12 hours before test

When were vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin last tested

[Newmummy82 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi Slow Dragon,

TSH was 0.02 and T4 was 17.9

Always get same brand and took tests at 8am having fasted and not taken my meds since previous morning. Thank you the tip about splitting T3 dose before test. I will do that next time.

All vitamins and minerals were tested at same time and results are;

Vit D - 101 (range 50-200)

B12 - 74 (range 37.5 -150)

Folate 20.94 - anything above 3.89 considered fine

Ferritin - 96.4 (range 13-150)

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Newmummy82]

So your Ft3 is falsely low if last dose T3 was 24 hours before test

Suggest you don’t change dose

Retest in another 2 months

[Blissful]

Triglycerides - This is the very confusing part- they were 1.85 in June 22 so above range. In April 23 they were 1.48 so in range and recent tests show they are 1.96, so high again. Why are they jumping up and down?

I fast regularly- could that have something to do with it? I had also just returned from holiday where I had been eating more and drinking more alcohol - could that have had an effect?

Triglycerides are another type of blood fat and is a component measure for the cholesterol profile.

I can't see why fasting might make them go higher, I expect your holiday might be the reason (I hope you enjoyed the break). Triglycerides can also show elevated if you had a high refined carb meal the evening before your test. Generally speaking I believe all tests are best taken early and in the fasted state (apart from water).

healthline.com/health/chole...

I would recommend ditching all the so-called healthy cooking oil (sunflower etc) (they are pro-inflammatory) - replace with quality butter and olive oil. If you can find quality walnuts and almonds, eat a handful (your hand size) every day, they have the ability to raise HDL and lower LDL. It would be a mistake to believe that LDL is a "baddy" per se - it's the "density" measurement that is important.

healthline.com/health/heart...

I would also suggest perking up your liver function - lots of bitter herbs every day.

[Newmummy82]

hi ,thank you for the reassurance. I did have a great holiday! I only use olive oil and butter and love walnuts and all nuts so I’m going to stock up on those.

can I ask what would count as bitter herbs?