Is my TSH level at 0.43 considered low. - Thyroid UK

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Is my TSH level at 0.43 considered low.

gerrycrilley1 profile image
17 Replies

Have an appointment with a private Endo in Glasgow soon and am trying to interpret these results . Don't know if myTSH is low. but has been going down since 16 nov 22 what does this trend indicate if anything.

Results are as follows 6.52, 5.32, 0.87, 0.49 and my latest 0.43. Will hopefully have a new set of results from Medichecks in time for appointment.

TSH 01/08/2023 at 13.37 value 0.43 mU/L

free t4 17/01/2023 at 08.25am value 15.4

free t3 01/08/2023 at 13.37 value 4 pmol/L

Thyroid peroxidase antibody level 539 iu/ml

Vitamin b12 20/07/2023 at 14.10pm Value 1339pg/mL suspect this is indeed low though

Vitamin D 20/07/2023 AT 14.10 pm Value 61 nmol/L

Serum folate 20/07/2023 at 14.10pm value 4.12 ng/mL

Serum ferritin value 53.9 ng/mL

The only vitamin i am taking is 1000mg twice a day.

Thanks

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greygoose profile image
greygoose

Sorry but we absolutely need ranges to make any sense of those results. You usually find the range in brackets after the result. Ranges vary from lab to lab, so we need the ranges that came with your results.

TSH 01/08/2023 at 13.37 value 0.43 mU/L

Does that mean that the blood draw was at 1.37 pm? If so, your TSH would be at around it's lowest point. It would have been higher before 9 am.

Thyroid peroxidase antibody level 539 iu/ml

I should imagine that is positive. I've never seen a top of TPOab range higher than that. So, you have Autoimmune Thyroiditis - aka Hashi's - did you already know that?

Vitamin b12 20/07/2023 at 14.10pm Value 1339pg/mL suspect this is indeed low though

The result is 1339? That is very high, not low. Do you supplement B12?

The only vitamin i am taking is 1000mg twice a day.

You don't say which vitamin you're taking, only how much. :)

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Looking at previous posts

You are on 150mcg levothyroxine?

Do you always get same brand?

ALWAYS do thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Suggest you work on improving low vitamin levels and then get TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 tested in 6 weeks

Ferritin extremely low for a bloke

Are you vegetarian or vegan

vitamin D is too low

Obviously 1000iu is not high enough dose

Suggest you increase to 3000iu daily

Retest in 3-4 months

GP will often only prescribe to bring vitamin D levels to 50nmol.

Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol or even 80nmol

leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...

GP should advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)

mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...

But with Hashimoto’s, improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol by self supplementing may be better

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/218...

vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing

vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function.

There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7.

One spray = 1000iu

amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...

It’s trial and error what dose we need, with thyroid issues we frequently need higher dose than average

Vitamin D and thyroid disease

grassrootshealth.net/blog/t...

Vitamin D may prevent Autoimmune disease

newscientist.com/article/23...

Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7

Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

livescience.com/61866-magne...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Interesting article by Dr Malcolm Kendrick on magnesium

drmalcolmkendrick.org/categ...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Currently

Folate is very low if not deficient

B12 can be false high if not supplementing

Paradoxical B12 deficiency

b12oils.com/paradoxical.htm...

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

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

gerrycrilley1 profile image
gerrycrilley1 in reply toSlowDragon

Hi SlowDragon or anyone else.

Would be most grateful if you could give me some help understanding my latest blood results from medichecks. Test was done 21 Nov 2023.

CRP HS 3.66 mg/L range less than 3.

TSH 0.664mlu/L range 0.27-4.2

Free T4 23.3 pmol/L range 12-22

Free T3 4.6 pmol /L range 3.1-6.8

Ferritin 75.2 ug/L range 30-400

Folate 7.2 nmol/L range 8.83-60.8

Vitamin D 34.2 nmol/L range 50-250

Vitamin B12 Active 134 pmol/L range 37.5-188.

Thank you.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply togerrycrilley1

Was test done early morning, ideally before 9am, only water to drink between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test?

Vitamin D is insufficient/borderline deficient

Improving to at least over 80nmol minimum

Folate is deficient

Taking a daily vitamin B complex essential

Ferritin is low for a bloke

Increase iron rich foods in your diet

Improving vitamin levels will improve conversion rate of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone)

Most thyroid patients need to supplement vitamin D, magnesium and vitamin B complex continuously to maintain OPTIMAL vitamins

gerrycrilley1 profile image
gerrycrilley1 in reply toSlowDragon

Hi SlowDragonYes test was done early at 10am only took water and no levothyroxine for 24 hours.

What do you think of my T3 levels. Do you think it might be a good idea to add T3 to my 150 of levothyroxine.

Have started to add supplements you have suggested to help conversion.

Have Endo shortly I was hoping that I might have a hope of her adding T3 to my T4 do you think that's likely with my new blood results.

Thanks again.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply togerrycrilley1

No at moment just working on improving low vitamin levels

Retest in 8 weeks

You should see improvement in Ft3 levels at next test once all four vitamins are OPTIMAL

Vitamin D at least over 80nmol. Many members find it best to maintain 100-125nmol

Serum B12 at least over 500

Active B12 at least over 70

Ferritin at least over 100 minimum

Folate at top of range

gerrycrilley1 profile image
gerrycrilley1 in reply toSlowDragon

Thats great SlowDragon

Thanks again much appreciated.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply togerrycrilley1

Come back with results after next test in 2-3 months and members can advise on next steps

How other member saw how effective improving low B vitamins has been

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply togerrycrilley1

Currently conversion rate is poor because vitamin levels are very poor

gerrycrilley1 profile image
gerrycrilley1 in reply toSlowDragon

Good to know will be seeing doctor tomorrow and will see if he can add anything.

gerrycrilley1 profile image
gerrycrilley1 in reply togerrycrilley1

SlowDragon.

was just reading a link from sleepy bunny from PA society about different types of iron deficiency. Haemochromatosis runs In my family. My brother and sister both have the condition . Could this have a bearing on my symptoms. Think I need to get checked.

Thanks

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply togerrycrilley1

Well your ferritin is only 75 which is LOW especially for a bloke

If ferritin was 600 GP might be more inclined to test

You might want to test privately if GP won’t test

Test early morning, only water to drink between waking and test. Avoid high iron rich dinner night before test

Medichecks iron panel test

medichecks.com/products/iro...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

presumably you knew your hypothyroidism was due to autoimmune thyroid disease?

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

If not already on gluten free diet GP should do coeliac blood test

Has that happened

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances.

Most common by far is gluten.

Dairy is second most common.

A trial of strictly gluten free diet is always worth doing

Only 5% of Hashimoto’s patients test positive for coeliac but a further 81% of Hashimoto’s patients who try gluten free diet find noticeable or significant improvement or find it’s essential

A strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential due to gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and may slowly lower TPO antibodies

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet 

(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially) 

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

Non Coeliac Gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and autoimmune disease

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/296...

The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported

nuclmed.gr/wp/wp-content/up...

In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.

Similarly few months later consider trying dairy free too. Approx 50-60% find dairy free beneficial

Hashimoto’s and leaky gut often occur together

Post discussing gluten

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

NICE guidelines

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

1 Recognition of coeliac disease

1.1.1 Offer serological testing for coeliac disease to:

people with any of the following:

persistent unexplained abdominal or gastrointestinal symptoms

faltering growth

prolonged fatigue

unexpected weight loss

severe or persistent mouth ulcers

unexplained iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency

type 1 diabetes, at diagnosis

autoimmune thyroid disease, at diagnosis

irritable bowel syndrome (in adults)

first‑degree relatives of people with coeliac disease.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

The only vitamin i am taking is 1000mg twice a day.

Is this B12 or vitamin D?

gerrycrilley1 profile image
gerrycrilley1 in reply toSlowDragon

Hi SlowDragon and Greygoose.

Think Vitamin b12 is low because I don't supplement and my diet doesn't lend to good b12 intake.

Might be Paradoxical B12 deficiency as SlowDragon suggested.

Only Vitamin I take is Vitamin C 1000mg twice daily.

Always get the same brand of levothyroxine.

Am not vegetarian or vegan my diet is not great mainly processed foods.

Not on gluten free diet nor have I been tested for coeliac.

What do you think of my TSH levels SlowDragon.

Thanks.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply togerrycrilley1

What’s the range on Ft4 and Ft3

TSH has pronounced circadian rhythm and is highest early morning and lowest after lunch

ALWAYS test early morning, ideally before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

TSH is also largely irrelevant on replacement thyroid hormones and frequently is low

TSH is the message from pituitary asking thyroid to make and release thyroid hormones

On high enough replacement dose levothyroxine you would expect TSH to be low

Most important result is always Ft3

If Ft3 is not over range you’re not over medicated

Ft4 (levothyroxine) - always test 24 hours after last dose levothyroxine

and for good conversion of Ft4 to Ft3 it’s important to have GOOD vitamin levels

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