Thanks to everyone for their recent replies and advice, it's been so helpful and supportive!
I've just received my blood test results via Medicheck (taken at a slightly late time of 10am unfortunately):
CRP HS: <0.15mg/L
Ferritin: 20.9ug/L
Folate: 11.7nmol/L
Vitamin B12: 120pmol/L
Vitamin D 34.9nmol/L
TSH: 28mlU/L
Free T3: 3.5pmol/L
Free Thyroxine: 8.3pmol/L
Thyroglobulin antibodies: 266 klU/L
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies: >600klU/L
So most things are out or range (apart from CRP HS, B12, Folate and Free T3 which is at the low end of acceptable according to their scales).
I also had a telephone appointment yesterday with an NHS endo who has written a prescription for 75mg of Levothyroxine, so I now have access to that if I want it. Strangely he told me that the drugs were giving me hyperthyroidism last time I tried them and that's why I felt ill! But my T4 never went out of the low acceptable range. I'm so confused.
Could anyone recommend whether I should be supplementing with any vitamins/minerals and any brand recommendations please?
Thanks in advance, Gem x
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Cybob
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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
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
So with TSH at 28 you are extremely hypothyroid at moment
High thyroid antibodies confirms cause as autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto’s
vitamin levels are terrible as direct result of being hypothyroid as being hypothyroid results in low stomach acid and poor nutrient absorption
I also had a telephone appointment yesterday with an NHS endo who has written a prescription for 75mg of Levothyroxine, so I now have access to that if I want it.
First week perhaps initially start on half a tablet then increase to full dose
Retest in 6-8 weeks
Unless very petite likely to need further increase in dose over coming months
Thank you so much! I'm female, 40yrs old and 66kg. The endo did say I would likely end up on a higher dose after trying the 75mcg. I'll research those supplement s tonight!!!
I've managed to get some Vit D, Vit B complex and magnesium supplements that I will start taking now, introducing one after the other, so thanks for that advice.
I couldn't persuade my doctor to do a full iron panel because my ferritin was within his acceptable range! I'm going to order another Medichecks blood test (which will measure ferritin, iron, TIBC and transferrin saturation. SlowDragon , would this be enough to test for?
Having previously been clinically anaemic, I want to make sure my iron valued aren't messing me up.
Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption
This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.
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. ‘
Wow, time flies! I've finally managed to get my iron panel results (second time of trying) and the results are as follows:
All in range:
Iron 16
TIBC 64.5
UIBC 48.5
Out of range:
Transferrin saturation 24.8
Ferritin 13.4
So from what I gather from reading the above links (thank you again 🙏) is that I should try to raise my ferritin levels by diet more than supplements if my iron level is ok. My iron is only just in range, so would you recommend iron supplements as well as dietary additions?
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