Advice on my results please.: Hi there, I have... - Thyroid UK

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Advice on my results please.

Sunnyyellowlady profile image

Hi there,

I have the results of my Thyroid tests and wondered if anyone could help me out please (shown in photo)? Someone has looked at them for me and said my FT3 isn't great but wouldn't necessarily be classed as low Thyroid. This person flagged my B12 and Folate results which they said were low. Once they found out I supplement B Vitamins, they told me that my results would be showing higher than they are in reality and that it was an even bigger indication that B12 and folate were low and needed attention.

I was also told my Cortisol was on the low side. I'd be grateful if anyone can give me their thoughts on my results please. Apologies if this is information overload.

I tested because of ongoing symptoms I'm experiencing.

Thanks

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Sunnyyellowlady profile image
Sunnyyellowlady
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22 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

I take it you don't have any sort of thyroid diagnosis? What time of day was the blood draw for this test?

The TSH looks perfect, but your FT4 is very low, and your FT3 is slightly low. One would expect the TSH to be higher with those results. One would also expect the FT4 to be higher than the FT3 in their respective ranges, percentage-wise. So, you might be looking at a pituitary problem, here. But it would be good to know the time of the blood draw.

Your B12 and folate are very low. And your ferritin and vit D could be much higher. So, all in all, does rather look like your thyroid is failing for some reason.

Sunnyyellowlady profile image
Sunnyyellowlady in reply togreygoose

Hi, thanks for replying and for your comments.

I don't have a Thyroid diagnosis. I'm in surgical menopause and I'm really struggling with the way I'm feeling. My bloods for my sex hormones are OK (I use HRT) but I feel awful, hence the reason for looking into Thyroid.

Bloods were taken around 8.45am.

Thanks

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toSunnyyellowlady

Request GP test you for Pernicious Anaemia

Are you currently taking B12 and/or vitamin B complex

If you are …..stop and get GP to test

Sunnyyellowlady profile image
Sunnyyellowlady in reply toSlowDragon

Hi, I am taking B Complex. I've been told it stays in the system for up to 4 months and gives inaccurately elevated blood results.

Do you think Thyroid looks OK?

Thanks

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toSunnyyellowlady

Which vitamin B complex

How long before test did you stop taking it

Sunnyyellowlady profile image
Sunnyyellowlady in reply toSlowDragon

I stopped around 3/4 weeks before. Paul Robinson has advised it should be 3/4 months. The BComplex I take is from Biovea.

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply toSunnyyellowlady

Thats a fairly low dose B complex, also it has vitamins that are inactive, i.e. your body has to convert them into the active vitamin and many peoples bodies can stuggle to do that.

If you do continue with a B complex then look for ones with 'methyl' or active B12 & folate. These are 3 examples.

amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...

amazon.co.uk/Yipmai-Liposom...

hempoutlet.co.uk/vitablosso...

Sunnyyellowlady profile image
Sunnyyellowlady in reply toJaydee1507

Thank you. I didn't know my B12 was low until this recent test.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toSunnyyellowlady

Are you vegetarian or vegan?

After GP has tested….assuming negative for PA

And not getting B12 injections

Low B12 symptoms

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

methyl-life.com/blogs/defic...

With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement and a week later add a separate vitamin B Complex 

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

B12 drops

natureprovides.com/products...

Or

B12 sublingual lozenges

uk.iherb.com/pr/jarrow-form...

cytoplan.co.uk/shop-by-prod...

B12 range in U.K. is too wide

Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Low folate

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)

Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

Other options

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

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

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

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 until B12 is over 500 or Active B12 over 70

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Sunnyyellowlady profile image
Sunnyyellowlady in reply toSlowDragon

Thanks, I'll take this on board.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toSunnyyellowlady

OK, 8.45 am is good, TSH will be around it's highest. So, there is a problem with your TSH, it should be higher. But, all you can do at the moment - because no doctor is going to give a diagnosis based on those results - is keep testing and meanwhile optimise your nutrient levels. :)

Sunnyyellowlady profile image
Sunnyyellowlady in reply togreygoose

Thanks. Could this be explanation for the way I'm feeling; depressed, exhausted, cognitive issues, cold (amongst other symptoms)? Or do you think that it's more to do with B12 & Folate?

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toSunnyyellowlady

Could be a combination of both. Depressed, exhausted and cognitive issues could be B12 or thyroid. But I don't think low B12 makes you cold. I think that's more likely to be a hypo symptom.

Sunnyyellowlady profile image
Sunnyyellowlady in reply togreygoose

OK thanks. I guess I'm stuck feeling this way as GP will say results are 'within range '. I'm probably going to look for B12 injections. Thanks for your help.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toSunnyyellowlady

You're welcome. :) Good luck!

Sunnyyellowlady profile image
Sunnyyellowlady in reply togreygoose

Thank you

waveylines profile image
waveylines in reply toSunnyyellowlady

Also have a look in B12d, org at their symptom checker. Fill it in, it offers guidance. Give a copy of results to GP Your GP needs to test you for PA & Coeliacs. Do not stop eating Gluten till after test. You have to have gluten in your diet for 6 weeks. Both PA & Coeliacs can cause B12 deficiency. If you have neurogical symptoms GP is meant to start treating B12 D immediately but few do.

The only other cause of b12d is being a vegetarian. Are you?

Sunnyyellowlady profile image
Sunnyyellowlady in reply towaveylines

Thank you. I'll take a look at B12d.org.

I'm not vegetarian, and try to eat quite a bit of protein. I don't eat much gluten as it gives me a bad tummy, but I haven't eliminated it completely

Would a blood count show PA? I had one recently and no issues flagged.

Thanks for your advice.

waveylines profile image
waveylines in reply toSunnyyellowlady

No. To test for PA your GP would need to do an Intrinsic Factor. If its positive you definately have PA, if negative it doesn't mean you don't have PA as the test misses 52% of PA!For Coeliacs tests you would need two health servings of food containing gluten like bread, cereals per day. If you look on Coeliacs UK they have guidance on what to do.

The fact it gives you a tummy ache so you've reduced it is a sign. I was the same got worse over the years until I cut it out all together as felt so poorly otherwise. Unfortunately took 18months to see a neurologist specialising in effects of gluten (GP for got to send referral through for months, then long queue) but he told me I have the coeliac gene and he believes I have Coeliacs though he couldn't diagnose me as that but did diagnose me as gluten intolerant due to other tests he carried out including a brain scan.

Gluten Intolerance or Coeliacs can result in lower B12 and lower vitamin absorption.

Sunnyyellowlady profile image
Sunnyyellowlady in reply towaveylines

Thanks for your advice. I hope you're feeling much better now you've eliminated gluten.

waveylines profile image
waveylines in reply toSunnyyellowlady

I feel great now Thankyou. I'm strictly GF.... None in my diet. You might find that's what you will need to do. Eating some still causes an autoimmune response if you are sensitive.....

Sunnyyellowlady profile image
Sunnyyellowlady in reply towaveylines

That's great that you're feeling so much better. I'm hoping my GP will be cooperative as they sometimes don't react well to being asked to test for things. Take Care.

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