Received results of Medichecks Well Women tests last week (blood test taken at 9.30am fasted, last dose of Levo 24 hrs before and biotin supplements stopped for a week before).
Results - TSH 2.68 (0.27-4.2), Free T3 3.98 (3.1-6.8) and Free thyroxine 19.5 (12-22).
Vitamin D 63nmol/L (range 50-200) - I take vit D spray 25 mcg daily.
white cell count also low - neutrophils 1.88 (2-7.5), monocytes 0.17 (0.2-1).
I am on a gluten free and dairy free diet and have noticed big improvements in gut symptoms since changing to GF and DF. I upped my Levo dose to 75 in March with immediate improvements in fatigue and brain fog, but these have worsened again in the past month, so I’m guessing I need another dose increase to 100mg. I am planning to write to my GP to request this, as otherwise it will be a difficult conversation over the phone. I am planning to include evidence-based references that I have gleaned from all the helpful advice here! Am assuming low vit D and B12 result due to poor absorption because thyroid function isn’t optimised?? Any other tips before I send the letter gratefully appreciated - I have learnt so much from this forum.
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DaisyTed
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Thanks so much SlowDragon - I take Accord 50 and Teva 25 at night-time just before bed. Prior to the blood test I took 50mg 24 hrs before the test and 25 the night before that. I take Vitamin D spray 25 ug from Holland and Barrett and Floridix tablets. I have also been taking NU Mind All in One stress support supplement for the last few weeks on recommendation from a nutritionist who felt I was a bit stressed (it contains vitamin B, Vitamin C, Zinc, Iron, vit D, magnesium amongst other things..)
Would 87.5mcg be the same as 75 one day, 100 the next? What is my conversion rate like? Many thanks again for your help 😊
Improving vitamin levels should hopefully improve conversion rate
Suggest you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
Teva brand upsets many people
Accord don’t make 25mcg tablets
Get GP to increase number of 50mcg tablets prescribed per month
Cut in half to get 25mcg
Yes 87.5mcg = 100mcg one day and 75mcg the next day
Mercury Pharma make 25mcg, 50mcg and 100mcg tablets
Mercury Pharma also boxed as Eltroxin. Both often listed by company name on pharmacy database - Advanz
Accord only make 50mcg and 100mcg tablets. Accord is also boxed as Almus via Boots,
Wockhardt is very well tolerated, but only available in 25mcg tablets. Some people remain on Wockhardt, taking their daily dose as a number of tablets
Lactose free brands - currently Teva or Vencamil only
Teva makes 25mcg, 50mcg, 75mcg and 100mcg
Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine.
Teva is lactose free.But Teva contains mannitol as a filler instead of lactose, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Mannitol seems to upset many people, it changes gut biome
Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet.
So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half
But for some people (usually if lactose intolerant, Teva is by far the best option)
Aristo (currently 100mcg only) is lactose free and mannitol free.
I have also been taking NU Mind All in One stress support supplement for the last few weeks on recommendation from a nutritionist who felt I was a bit stressed (it contains vitamin B, Vitamin C, Zinc, Iron, vit D, magnesium amongst other things..)
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement and add a separate vitamin B Complex after a week
Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week
Igennus B complex popular option too. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
Serum ferritin level is the biochemical test, which most reliably correlates with relative total body iron stores. In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency.
Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing. It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron
Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption
This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.
We have received further information the lab about ferritin reference ranges. They confirm that they are sex dependent up to the age of 60, then beyond the age of 60 the reference range is the same for both sexes:
Males 16-60: 30-400 ug/L
Female's: 16-60: 30-150
Both >60: 30-650
The lower limit of 30 ug/L is in accordance with the updated NICE guidance and the upper limits are in accordance with guidance from the Association of Clinical Biochemists. ‘
wow so much helpful information here! I hadn’t realised the stress support capsules had iodine in.. thanks for spotting that. Will work through all the info you sent to get my vitamin levels improved etc. thanks so much! 🙏
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Test results help please 
Help with results please
Help with test results please!
Please help with Thyroid results 
Help with results and supplements please
