Blood test results

[Becsf]

Hi everyone,

Been here a few times as I try and get my thyroid/iron levels good while TTC.

Was pleased recently when my iron went up finally but now it, and my other thyroid levels, seem to have got worse. I'm not sure if this is because the test was taken on the last day of my period - would that really make such an impact? And on the T3/TSH as well as the iron?

Sept 2023

T4 17.2 (12-22)

TSH 1.1 (0.3-4.2)

(GP wouldn't include T3)

Serum ferritin - 56ug/L (13-150)

Serum iron level - 26 umol/L (6.6-26)

Serum TIBC - 53 until/L (40.8-76.6)

Nov 2023

T4 - 16.4 pmol/L

T3 - 3.9 (3.10-6.10) (most recent T3 result before this was July when it was 4.6)

TSH - 1.88 munit/L

Iron level, blood - 7.0 nmol/L (11-36)

Iron saturation % blood - 14.2% (20-40)

Ferritin level, serum - 51ug/L

Both 9.30am test, no levo or food taken that morning, stopped biotin supplement there days before. Nothing changed with my levo dose (GP wouldn't increase it).

The T3 result was the most surprising to me - it's never been that low even before I started on the levo. Would you suggest I ask for a T3 prescription? I have an appointment with the endocrinology clinic tomorrow. Symptom wise I don't feel that bad - perhaps a bit more tired in general and less tolerant to exercise.

Thanks once again.

[Charlie-Farley]

Hi Becsf

Could you tell us a bit more? What are you taking at the moment? Not being personal but there is a weight dependency on dosing NICE suggest 1.6ug per Kg which works out for me at 15 stone as approx 150 ug. It is ONLY a guide, but is helpful in seeing if you are at an expected therapeutic dose of Levothyroxine. Symptoms are ALWAYS the most important diagnostic though- the doctors should be treating us not the lab work.

I have filled my bio to give people an idea of the issues we can come up against. It is useful to for those on the forum to refer to when offering lived experience advice. Try and summarise your journey too if you can. 🤗

I would need to know dose and how long you have been on it and taking levothyroxine to comment further. I was already menopausal when diagnosed but I would think your cycle would have an effect. Not something I had to consider being and old f**t. 🤪. Off to research that very salient question.

[Charlie-Farley in reply to Charlie-Farley]

Just Googled.

menstrual cycle and underactive thyroid

Loads of stuff on how under active thyroid can affect and visa versa - so it works both ways. How it affects appears though to be very individual.

Thank you for asking this question as this might explain why I suffered heavy long periods (longest 11 days) over a 21 day cycle when I did menstruate. 🤔.

Well this is something worth monitoring for yourself. I’m past it on this phase but it is really worth you looking into this further.

When I was titrating up to full therapeutic dose, I kept a month to view diary and just briefly filled in with the briefest comments as to the alleviation and subsequent return of symptoms. This was real time, not after the fact and not a daily ’dear diary’. I wanted to capture the real qualitative data not all the background ‘noise’ I could have generated.

You might find this a useful method to look at.

I’ve made posts about all this stuff in my profile- just click on my face to see it. 😊👍

[Becsf in reply to Charlie-Farley]

Oh yes sorry. I'm on 112mcg of levothyroxine (alternating each day between 125 and 100). Weigh about 60kg so think this works out as slightly over the guide.

Each rise in levo doesn't really get the T4 above 17 though, and T3 has been stubborn around 4 or 5. Haven't noticed any marked difference according to when the bloods are taken in my cycle before now, and the sudden drop in T3 is very new. I remember now I had a blood test before during or just after my period and I didn't get this drop.

In general my period has become lighter and less painful since starting levo. Always been fairly regular - a few days different but no v short or v long cycles.

Thank you

[Charlie-Farley in reply to Becsf]

Hmmm

So something else may be at play🤔. You have iron results and I’m not experienced enough with this area to speak to it all I know for sure is all your levels have to be optimal in order for Levothyroxine to work and getting everything optimal is essential before exploring other possibilities.

How are D and B vitamins? Have you had the info on vitamins and minerals yet?

 GlowCoach  PurpleNails Any thoughts?

[Charlie-Farley in reply to Charlie-Farley]

I looked for previous posts on iron using the search bar and found this post from 6 months ago to another member discussing iron

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

 SlowDragon provided some really good links that may help you decide on your next step.

There is such a wealth of info on here and learning how to find it has proven very valuable to me and no doubt will to you as well 🤗

[Becsf]

Been supplementing with vit d and b vits, after taking the advice here. Vit d last time (3 Nov) was 113 nmol/L (52-250) and b12 was 779ng/L (160-925). So I think they are fine, no?

The other things that struck me was my dhea-s and testosterone are marked low. And my prolactin is high. As they have been before in earlier tests. I don't know how these relate to my thyroid (except that common with hypothyroidism) but have read that they may be hindering me from getting pregnant. Will ask the endo what they can do about these.

[HealthStarDust]

Are you supplementing iron?

[Becsf]

Yes, although I reduced my dose after my last results showed my iron was at the very top of the range. I'm back on the higher dose now. Am taking iron bisglycinate.