Just wanted a bit of advice….Am I right in thinking that the serum TSH optimum blood result should be nearer the lower part of the range and for optimum result the free T4 should be nearer the top of the range
My results
serum TSH Level 3.42 mlU/L (0.27-4.2)
serum free T4 level 13.1 pmol/L (12-22)
Really would appreciate any advice
Yes you are right.
TSH should be at or just below 1 for most people to feel well whilst FT4 towards the top of the range.
This can sometimes be hard getting dose increases when any result within the range will please most GP's.
Keep pushing for an increase and try different doctors within the same practice. Ask for it as a trial which is a good tactic.
What supplements are you taking?
What are your latest results for ferritin, folate, B12 & d3?
thanks for your reply, I’m on 25 Levi at mo because I was on 50 and I felt dreadful and they wondered if it was the side effects so came down to 25 but clearly I was feeling dreadful because I need more then 🤷♀️ it wasn’t until I saw a friends results that were completely opposite ends of the ranges to me that I started querying it.
My levels are
B12 434 ((197-771)
D3 55
Ferritin 5.5 (13 to 150 for my age)
Lower doses of Levo can make you feel a bit worse sometimes as its not enough to replace what your thyroid was putting out before you started it. Levo replaces your own thyroid hormone, it doesn't top it up.
So go back to GP and get dose increased to 50mcgs then book bloods for 6-8 weeks time.
Most people end up on an average of 125mcgs a day so you probably have a way to go and several dose increases to feel better.
In the mean time we need to get vitamins to OPTIMAL levels to allow the thyroid hormone to work well.
Do you also have a result for folate?
Your ferritin is dire. Has GP offered you iron tablets? If they haven;t you need to push for that and take them 4 hours away from Levo & with orange juice or anything containing vit C which helps them absorb better. Low ferritin will make you feel terrible anyway!
Vitamin D should be around 100 - 150. Buy one that includes vit K2 to help it go to your bones. Some are available in oil or you can take it with an oily meal for better absorption. Many members like the ‘Better You’ range of mouth sprays that contain both bit D & K2. Use this calculator to work out how much to take to get your level to 100-150. wildatlantichealth.com/vita...
B12 is too low. We recommend taking a B complex to help keep all the B's in balance. I will list some options for you.
Slightly cheaper options with inactive B6:
amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...
Contains B6 as P5P an active form:
bigvits.co.uk/thorne-resear...
healf.com/products/basic-b-...
Explanation about the different forms of B6:
helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...
B complex comparison spreadsheet:
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Thank you so much, I am so grateful for your help, never get proper advice from the gp, all they say is it’s in range so off you trot! I will take heed and work on all of what you’ve advised, thank you again
Also my folate is 5.5
The B complex contains folate so you just need that for both your B12 & folate. 
I’ve just checked and I’d got it wrong it’s serum folate that is 5.5, my ferritin level is 246 (13-150)
Ok….that’s very different
So ignore any comments on low ferritin
What’s the range on folate result
<3 I’m not sure exactly but does that mean less than 3 is not good?
So folate is low
It will improve on vitamin B complex
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)
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
my ferritin level is 246 (13-150)
How old are you?
Post menopause?
Higher ferritin common after menopause
I’m 59 and post menopause
Oh really, I didn’t know that
Range on ferritin is higher after menopause…..becomes same range as for males
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
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. ‘
please add age, gender and country of residence on profile
Changes to thyroxine dose after menopause
Thyroxine dose
Blood results and thyroxine dose query
ANGER WITH NHS OVER THYROXINE DOSE
Doubling of thyroxine dose - is this wise?
