Fluctuations in levels

[Mummybear0213]

Me again, here to pick your lovely brains!

Is it normal for thyroid levels to fluctuate all the time? I'm not on any medication.

I had 2 blood tests 1 week apart, both taken early morning before breakfast.

First lot:

TSH 5.05 (0.27-4.2)

T4 13.1 (12-22)

T3 4.3 (3.1-6.8)

Second lot:

TSH 2.94 (0.40-4.90)

T4 10.2 (9.0-19)

T3 4.3 (2.6-5.7)

Is this typical with (untreated?) Hashimoto's? Gp is obviously not concerned about these results but they have made an appointment to see me about my high TPO antibodies now they have the results from their own lab.

[greygoose]

It's typical with Hashi's, treated or untreated.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

first test

FT4: 13.1 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22)

Ft4 only 11.00% through range

FT3: 4.3 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8)

Ft3 slightly better at 32.43% through range

2nd test

FT4: 10.2 pmol/l (Range 9 - 19)

Ft4 only 12.00% through range

FT3: 4.3 pmol/l (Range 2.6 - 5.7)

Ft3 improved a little at 54.84% through range

The Ft4 is not changing…..Ft4 is your storage hormone is far far too low

[Mummybear0213 in reply to SlowDragon]

If only the GP understood this 🙄

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mummybear0213]

Print these percentages out and give them to GP

Ignore the TSH with Hashimoto’s…..it jumps about madly

ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

What vitamin supplements are you taking

[Mummybear0213 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you I'll copy and paste these and have them ready for my next appointment, I'm seeing a different GP so fingers crossed they know *something* about thyroids!

I did get the above tested 2 weeks ago privately, all except b12 were low, at the moment I'm just taking a multivitamin but I know I need to find individual supplements, I just haven't got round to looking into it yet (I know, I'm practically neglecting myself at this stage, it's hard with the kids!)

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mummybear0213]

Multivitamins NEVER recommended on here. Most contain iodine not recommended for anyone with Hashimoto’s

What were actual results

Order online for cheapest price

Only add one supplement at a time

Then wait 2 weeks to assess before adding another

start with vitamin D, then magnesium

NHS Guidelines on dose vitamin D required

ouh.nhs.uk/osteoporosis/use...

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...

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 Administrator]

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 and cheaper 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) and continue separate B12

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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