After coming off my 100mcg Levothyroxine for 6 weeks and getting my Thyroid bloods checked via Medichecks whilst off the meds and returning on them these have been my results:
Off Levo :-
TSH >100 (Range: 0.27-4.2) =sig hypothyroid - advised by Medichecks to consult my doctor urgently
I was referred to an Endocrinologist who I saw 2 weeks ago and am currently awaiting the blood test results.
It was confirmed that I do have autoimmune Hashimoto's and that despite being on Levo for 24 years and having recently had my Levo dose REDUCED from 125mcg to 100mcg as my GP said I was overmedicated it now appears as though I need my dose increasing!
The results also show I have low serum folate (10.9 nmol/L) and my vit B12 is in the low-normal range (51.2 pmol/L).
My Endocrinologist did say that many people feel better when their TSH is close to 1. This certainly explains why I've always remained symptomatic despite taking Levo and, which is worryingly common, why I've been diagnosed with all sorts of mental health conditions rather than testing my Thyroid function with robust tests against OPTIMAL rather than the "normal" ranges used.
Can anyone shed any more light in all the above please? Would you say I simply need to upy Levo dose to bring my TSH towards 1 to being about much needed improvements in how I feel and function?
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Newmorningmercies
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Could you add reference range for each test - numbers in brackets after your result. We have to see the reference range to know where your result falls within it and ranges vary between labs.
Are you testing every time as per the protocol that many patients have found helpful?
Last dose of Levo 24hrs before blood draw, no biotin containing supplements for 3-5 days, blood test booked for 9am or earlier.
This gives a more standardised result that you can better compare against previous reults and also shows stable blood levels as opposed to the peak after you have just taken Levo.
With no reference range its hard to be exact but by most ranges your antibodies look negative. Did your Endo do antibody tests? A small percentage of Hashi patients never have positive antibodies.
Its very important to supplement low vitamin levels to OPTIMAL levels. This helps thyroid hormone to work well.
Doctors often make heavy handed dose adjustments and we sometimes need to advocate for ourselves if we think that they are changing the dose by too much or not enough.
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
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 until active B12 over 70
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
Why did you come off your Levothyroxine for six weeks?
For someone who had been diagnosed hypothyroid for many years it seems like a very risky thing to do. If a doctor asked you to do this (rather than it being your decision) I would make sure that you keep a copy of your results after six weeks without Levo and show it to any doctor who wants you to do this in future. And refuse to come off Levo again!
Allegedly, torture is not allowed in the UK, but you have obviously been tortured by whoever asked you to come off Levo for all that time.
Just for interest, this is a link to an article from the BMJ in 1949. It shows the effects of untreated hypothyroidism on multiple patients :
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