Interpreting new results ahead of Dr's appointment.

[ChickieBaker]

Hello.Could I please get some advice on my latest blood test results. I've been on Levothyroxine for over 8 weeks now and these are my latest results.

CRP 4.08 ( range <3 )

Ferritin 256 (range 30-150 )

Folate 27.8 ( 8.83-60.8 )

Vit B12 99.9 ( range 37.5-188 )

Vit D 126. (range 50-250 )

TSH. 0.412 (range 0.27-4.2 )

Free T3. 4.9 (range 3.1-6.8 )

Free Thyroxine. . 20.9 (range 12-22)

Thyroglobulin 405 (range 0-115 )

Peroxidase. 105 (range 0-34 )

Total cholesterol. 5.58 ( range <5 )

LDL cholesterol 3.48 (range <3 )

Non HDL cholesterol 4.28 (range <4)

HDL cholesterol 1.40 (range >1.2)

Total cholesterol:HDL. 3.99 ( range <6)

Triglycerides. 1.53 ( range <2.3)

I can see that my TSH has come way down from 4.87 in July so I'm thinking that my doctor will want to keep me on 75mg Levo. He doesn't look at the antibodies, which are still high.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

was test done early morning, only water to drink between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

How do you feel

FT4: 20.9 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22)

Ft4 is 89.00% through range

FT3: 4.9 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8)

Ft3 is only 48.65% through range

reading your helpful profile

Suggest you cut all dairy

Retest again in another 8-10 weeks

You may be ready for small increase in levothyroxine then

[ChickieBaker in reply to SlowDragon]

I did take the test as you suggested. The brands are Accord and Workhardt. I have asked for the same brand but I just get what I get ! I feel O.K but my bowels could be better. Will the Levo not help the antibodies which are still high ? I did cut out all dairy earlier in the year but it made no difference at all. I don't really understand what all the other numbers mean, T3, T4 etc. All I know is the TSH and the antibodies. I'm not sure if all the other numbers show good things or not. Sorry, seem pretty uneducated about this don't I.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ChickieBaker]

Most people when adequately treated will have Ft3 at least 60-70% through range

Ft3 is converted from Ft4 (levothyroxine)

You can’t (yet) increase levothyroxine because Ft4 is at top of range

At next test likely to see Ft4 has dropped a bit and (hopefully) Ft3 improved a bit

Often the only thing that improves on gluten free/dairy free diet is reducing levels of TPO antibodies

TG antibodies tend to reduce as TSH reduces

[ChickieBaker in reply to SlowDragon]

Also I've just remembered that my skin has become very dry and scaly ( possibly excema ) which I think is linked the thyroid. I've also gained weight so I'm hoping for a slight increase in Levo.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ChickieBaker]

Until Ft4 drops a bit you probably can’t tolerate increasing levothyroxine dose yet

Yes autoimmune thyroid disease means you qualify for flu jab

[ChickieBaker in reply to SlowDragon]

I should probably post this as a separate question but I'm sure you'll know the answer, would hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's affect the immune system greatly ? I was offered a flu and covid jab recently and I'm not over 65 so I wasn't sure why they gave it to me. I asked the receptionist and she said "for your long term condition" ???

[greygoose]

There's no connection between antibody levels and your dose of levo. That's why he doesn't look at them. Antibodies are just the proof that you have autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashi's) as the cause of your hypothyroidism. And it's handy to know that because it means that your levels of TSH/FT4/FT3 are likely to fluctuate independant of your dose.

Antibodies also fluctuate because they don't always have a job to do. They tend to be highest during/just after and immune system attack on the thyroid, when they come along to clean up the mess. But their level is not an indication of the seriousness - or otherwise - of your disease. Hashi's is Hashi's irrespective of antibody levels, and will take its course to the end - i.e. complete destruction of your thyroid. So, if I were you, I wouldn't even bother testing them again. They are now irrelevant.

[ChickieBaker in reply to greygoose]

That sentence about the complete destruction of my thyroid was pretty scary 😱 Is that really what's going to happen ? What happens when my thyroid has been destroyed ??

[greygoose in reply to ChickieBaker]

It's no scarier than being hypo as you are now. And no scarier than people who have their thyroid zapped/removed due to cancer or Graves'. So, nothing particular happens - you won't even know about it - you will just continue taking thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of your life like any other hypo.

My thyroid was destroyed by autoimmune thyroiditis before I was even diagnosed, when I was 55 - been hypo since I was about 8, probably. I had no idea what a thyroid even was!

BTW, there are two types of autoimmune thyroiditis:

- Hashi's, which has a goitre

- Ord's which doesn't

Apart from that they are exactly the same, and the treatment is the same.

[ChickieBaker in reply to greygoose]

That's very reassuring thank you 😊 I was 'diagnosed' by my naturopath because I had antibodies and she said Hashies but I don't currently have a goitre so possibly it could be Ord's. Doesnt really sound as if it matters. Let's just hope the Dr keeps me on Levo now my TSH is in range 🤞

[greygoose in reply to ChickieBaker]

It doesn't matter. And she's probably never even heard of Ord's, anyway. It's not talked about very much these days.

If your doctor tries to stop your levo, remind him that the only reason your TSH is in-range is because you are taking levo. Stop the levo and the TSH will rise again. Unbelievably, some doctors don't realise that!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ChickieBaker]

Let's just hope the Dr keeps me on Levo now my TSH is in range

If a medic ever tried to stop you Levo, never agree …..and instead ask them would they stop a diabetic’s insulin