blood results

[Dukemaster]

Hi these are my recent blood results from Medicheck

Doctors overview is that everything is within range and my current dose of levothyroxine 50mcg is effective 🤔

Any advice or suggestions are very welcome

Many thanks

[greygoose]

Really not worth getting the Medichecks doctor's comments. They are not thyroid experts and know very little about it. Nor do they know much about interpreting blood test results, any more than any other doctor, come to that.

Of course everything is in-range. You don't have to do seven years of med school to see that. But that is in no way a guarantee that your dose is right for you.

Of course your current dose of 50 mcg levo is 'effective'. It can't be otherwise. It's a hormone, not a drug. But that doesn't mean that the dose is high enough because it isn't. The TSH is much too high for someone on thyroid hormone replacement (levo). It should come down to 1 or under. But, it's highly unlikely to do that on 50 mcg, which is just a starter dose. If you've been on it for longer than six weeks, then it's time for a 25 mcg increase.

Although, that might not be the solution because you seem to be a poor converter: high FT4, low FT3. But, then again, you have Hashi's, so that high FT4 might be due to an attack on your thyroid, rather than your dose of levo.

But, the only thing you can do at the moment is try an increase in levo and see what the labs say in six weeks time. It's all trial and error.

[Dukemaster in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your reply I was actually thinking of that increase as well therefore will try and recheck as suggested many thanks

[greygoose in reply to Dukemaster]

You're welcome.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Did you do test early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

FT4: 18.1 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22)

Ft4 is 61.00% through range

but

FT3: 4 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8)

Ft3 only 24.32% through range

Your high thyroid antibodies which confirms autoimmune thyroid disease

[Dukemaster in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi thank you for your reply yes I did try follow all the instructions before taking the blood test although it was about 10 am

[SlowDragon Administrator]

your other post ….with vitamins

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Ferritin on low side

Folate could be higher

[Dukemaster in reply to SlowDragon]

I have B12 injections 3 monthly and also take vitamin D I’m looking into other vitamins as suggested previously

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Dukemaster]

As you have B12 injections it’s recommended also to supplement a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will improve folate and may improve B12 between injections

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

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

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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...

[Dukemaster in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for all the information

I will definitely try a Vitamin B as suggested I am extremely thankful for this advice as the GP doesn’t suggest anything in relation to this. It’s usually a very quick appointment as well and all they go by is TSH result

All the information is helping me to understand my blood results. more as well.

I never thought about the possibility of poor conversion either. The knowledge on here is so helpful thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Dukemaster]

NHS only tests and treats vitamin deficiencies

Down to us to maintain GOOD vitamin levels

Once all four vitamins are optimal and Levo dose fine tuned…..always same brand Levo at each prescription

If FT3 remains low look at getting small dose liothyronine (T3) prescribed alongside levothyroxine

Here’s link for how to request Thyroid U.K.list of private Doctors emailed to you, but within the email a link to download list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists who will prescribe T3

Ideally choose an endocrinologist to see privately initially and who also does NHS consultations

thyroiduk.org/contact-us/ge...

[Dukemaster in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your help really appreciated