Would someone be able to look at my results please?

[AngelRain]

I had these tests done last week, at 8 am, fasting and 36 hours or so after my last dose of 125mcg Levothyroxine. I stopped taking my B complex a week before.

TSH (0.55-4.78) <0.02

FT4 (11.5-22.7) 19.6

Hb (120-150) 136

B12 (211-911) 449 {this was 1625 on last test in 2019]

Folate (>5.4) 15.8

Ferritin (10-291) 61 [this was 140 on last test in 2019]

Vitamin D (>49) 103

I did actually have a full blood count done, but I thought I would spare you all of those results. They were all within range.

I thought in general these were all right, although I need to step up the B12 I think and try to find a way to increase ferritin given that I have a long history of deficiency and am unable to take any oral supplement that I have found so far. I don't drink or smoke and have a good mixed diet.

As always, I am grateful for any comments or advice.

Thanks in advance

[greygoose]

Given the level of your FT4, and the fact that you left it a lot longer than the advised 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the blood draw, your FT4 is probably over-range in reality. Which probably means you're a poor converter. But you would have to have your FT4 and FT3 tested at the same time to know how well you convert.

Your folate and vit D are too low. Do you take a B complex with your B12? And do you supplement vit D?

It doesn't matter how good your diet is, if you're hypo you more than likely have low stomach acid, which means that you don't digest well and don't absorb nutrients correctly. Even so, I've heard that eating liver or black pudding once a week is the best way to raise ferritin.

[AngelRain in reply to greygoose]

I take my Levo at night, so my choice is basically 12 hours or 36.

I've not been a poor converter before. For example, results from May 2021 were:

FT4 (9-26) 23.4 [84.71%]

FT3 (2.8-7.1) 6.5 [86.05%]

I take 2,000iu vitamin D per day and have just upped it to 4,000iu for the winter. Since my B12 has always been massively over range in recent years, I've been taking just a B complex recently. It seems that does not work then for B12 or folate. Where does my folate need to be?

The only thing that raised my ferritin was menopause, but now it's on the slide again. I cannot take ferrous sulphate, fumarate or bisglycinate without having a constantly upset stomach. I don't think even a ferritin deficiency would induce me to eat black pudding! Sorry.

[greygoose in reply to AngelRain]

I've not been a poor converter before. For example, results from May 2021 were:

FT4 (9-26) 23.4 [84.71%]

FT3 (2.8-7.1) 6.5 [86.05%]

Well, no, that doesn't show how well you convert because if you left 36 hours between your last dose of levo and the blood draw, you've got a false 'low' FT4 there - that is to say, had you just left 24 hours it would be a lot higher.

People who take their levo at night usually make the sacrefice of taking in early morning on the day before the test - after all, it's only one day is six weeks or so.

Folate should be at least mid-range - or in double figures if there's no discernable range.

The only thing that raised my ferritin was menopause, but now it's on the slide again.

You probably had some inflammation during that period, then. Inflammation falsely raises the level in the blood.

To be honest, I couldn't eat black pudding, either! 🤣 My ex used to eat it and watching him made me feel sick! So, how about liver paté? That would be just as good. Even liver and onions is good with mashed potatoes and thick gravy. Especially if you can get runner beans! Yum! Or, I know a nice little recipe for grilled liver...

[sparkly in reply to greygoose]

Sorry hope you don't mind me asking about the vit d. You said that it is low at 103, is that correct? I thought levels between 80-125 nmol/l were OK. Mine is 108 and thought that was good but not read up about it in years so things could be different now

[greygoose in reply to sparkly]

Oh! Sorry! I got confused between the 'range' and the result. What a stupid vit D range. If it were only 49 you'd be in trouble. But surely you have to have an upper limit with vit D?

So, come back all I said about vit D. Thank you for picking up on that.

[AngelRain in reply to greygoose]

Same applies to Folate then, or is that still too low, even though it is in double figures?

[greygoose in reply to AngelRain]

Yup, afraid so. I hate these stupid 'greater than' so-called 'ranges'. Also, I'm used to reading results where people put the result before the range. Sigh. I'm getting too old for all this, no-longer adaptable!

[sparkly in reply to greygoose]

That's a relief, was just about to double my dose! That's one vitamin I always keep on top of after a level of 11 years ago and well and truly knowing about it

[greygoose in reply to sparkly]

Yes, sorry about the misunderstandings.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Link to an older post:

success with Threearrows - for anyone struggling with LOW IRON/FERRITIN

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[ Edited by admin to identify where link points. ]