Blood results interpretation required

[Carlax]

Hi there,

I need help interpreting my results.

My symptoms are brain fog, joint aches, lack of energy and anxiety. These have been with me all my life. They got better in 2022 when I started combination therapy. However, I do not think I have reached my optimum (whatever that is) because these symptoms persist.

I take 100mcgrs of Levo and 15 pf T3 outside food, coffee, milk, iron etc. I took my blood test at 7.30 am and followed #slowdragon protocol of fasting and 24 hrs gap for levo and 12hrs for T3.

I am on my own trying to get to the optimum so your help on what I need to do will be very much appreciated.

What are the vitamin levels and Free T4 and free T4 I should aim for to keep active at my job?

I take supplements: B12, Vitamin D and Iron (the latter not so regularly because even the gentlest ones mess up with my tummy)

My GP wants me to go onto HRT. I kept on telling him that my symptoms were not new and had been with me all my life. He is adamant that it is all to do with menopause. I still have my periods and no hot flushes or anything but I understand where he is coming from re brain fog and anxiety.

I just do not want to take more pills before I am stabilised on the dosage and vitamins if that makes sense.

I do not eat processed food and my diet is varied. However, my digestion is not as it used to be, for some reason but all my doctor wants to give me is an antiacid rather than finding the root cause for the problem. I tried natural remedies but they mess up my vocal cord (I got one which is paralysed as a result of the thyroidectomy and whilst I can talk more or less as a normal person, it is by putting a lot of strain on the healthy one so anything with lemon or vinegar is a no-no.

I look forward to hearing from you on any tips I could try

Many many thanks in advance

Love you all xx

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

How long have you been taking iron? Just trying to work out if maybe switching to a different iron supplement will help.

Do you take iron with something containing vit C to help it absorb better?

Your folate could be higher. Its confusing having 2 different ranges there but 20 is the number to aim for. A good quality B complex would help this.

Slightly cheaper options with inactive B6:

amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...

Contains B6 as P5P an active form:

bigvits.co.uk/thorne-resear...

healf.com/products/basic-b-...

Explanation about the different forms of B6:

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

B complex comparison spreadsheet:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Vitamin D should be around 100 - 150. Buy one that includes vit K2 to help it go to your bones. Some are available in oil or you can take it with an oily meal for better absorption. Many members like the ‘Better You’ range of mouth sprays that contain both bit D & K2. Use this calculator to work out how much to take to get your level to 100-150.grassrootshealth.net/projec...

Thyroid wise you may even be on the side of over replaced with FT3 at 100% but this is individual.

Have you tried a strictly gluten and possibly also dairy free diet? Not everyone with autoimmune hypo has positive antibodies.

Do you eat fish twice a week? Omega 3 can help boos that level.

Ferritin should be around 90 - 100 for best use of thyroid hormone. Suggest increasing iron rich foods in diet and eating them often. Chicken livers, pate, red meat etc

Many in this group have done well with this iron supplement.

threearrowsnutra.com/en-uk/...

[Carlax in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks Jaydee1507!

I will take your thresholds into consideration.

It is all so overwhelming!!! There is so much I need to do...but one step at a time.

At the same time, I am going to try going gluten-free and see how it goes. Milk would be harder for me since I love dairy products. I would do it, if it comes to it, but will be trying gluten first.

I have been taking iron with vitamin C. However, not every day since it is hard for me to find the time between Levo and T3 dose and food intake.

I shall revert in a few months when I test myself again.

Many thanks xx

[pennyannie]

Hello Carlax :

No thyroid hormone replacement works well until your core strength vitamins and minerals are up and maintained at optimal levels :

Has the reason for your extremely low ferritin been investigated as currently this would be classed as you suffering with iron deficiency anaemia ?

Have you asked if you can have an iron infusion ?

To be honest I don't even know how you manage to hold down a job at all !!

Everywhere I researched when I found my ferritin down at 22 advised that no thyroid hormone replacement works until ferritin is over 70 :

I now maintain my ferritin at around 100 - folate around 20 - active B12 75 ++ and around 125 and vitamin D at around 100:

Have you tried an iron bisglycinate often referred to as a Gentle Iron as they will be softer and less troublesome on your stomach and bowel ?

I wonder if a digestive enzyme might be worth trying to help with your digestion.

[Sleepman in reply to pennyannie]

+1 for trying gluten free with your remaining symptoms.

If doing celiac blood test, I would do it quick whilst still on gluten.

I did not show on Celiac test, but cannot take gluten it gives me symptoms like yours and takes a while to calm down after. Your antibodies are low though so not sure if you are autoimmune type like me.

Good that you have identified the low elements to work on and your T3 looks sorted

My iron.b12 and folates keep failing on post in tests !!!

Good luck

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Sleepman]

Are you doing all the prep for finger prick tests?

When collecting your sample try the following tips:

Drink plenty of water. Being well hydrated will make it easier to collect your sample.

Shower before you take your test or run your hands under warm water for a few minutes, as heat improves blood flow.

Do some light exercise (move around, go for a walk, etc.) to get the blood flowing.

Make sure your arm is below your heart level – let gravity do some of the work.

Nails that are too long can make it difficult to collect a sample.

Do not shake the sample vigorously but invert the tube gently 10 times. (gently swirl the tube after each drop of blood).

Do not squeeze (milk) the finger.

Re-warm your hands during collection where needed.

[Carlax in reply to pennyannie]

Thanks pennyannie.

The doctor said that the ferritine was ok, within normal range so nothing to change.

The iron i take is gentle iron but still not great for my stomach for some reason.

I should really check my digestion somehow but i will have to go privately since the GP will not entertain it. He was only interested in my Vitamin D levels.

Thanks for your points

[csj113 in reply to Carlax]

The GPs knowledge is out of date - your Ferritin is low and in fact it’s extremely deficient. It needs to be 75 plus and could absolutely be causing those symptoms. If your haemoglobin is in range, this is Iron Deficiency Without Anaemia. Common in women who’ve had a lifetime of periods/childbirth (ie lots of blood loss accumulating over time), and common in people with autoimmune disease who don’t absorb nutrients as effectively.

You won’t get an infusion on the NHS though, the threshold is very low. If private infusion is a possibility I’d consider it. The provider will check all your blood results and advise if it’s appropriate.

If not, then take only one ferrous fumarate tablet per day - that will help with the side effects and in any case is better for absorption.

I’d treat the low Ferritin then consider HRT as next step (joint pain was my biggest peri issue).

[Carlax in reply to csj113]

Hi csj113,

Thanks very much for your message. I always have had problems with iron levels but always been told it was not dangerous or aenemic in a cronic way....hence never really thought too much about it other than trying to take supplements when the results came low and then stop when the levels were 'normal'. Moreover, GP always warned me about the negative effects of taking too much iron.

I had never heard about Iron Deficiency without Aenemia. Also thought that Iron infusions were for very extreme cases.

I have been reading a lot about it today and I am all up for it. It is not cheap but my life will be in complete dire straights if I do not do anything about it.

I have found some clinics that do it but if you have already some experience on this, I would love to hear more and have your input. So if you feel like sharing, please DM me but if not, that is ok. I thank you so much for the knowledge shared so far.

Warmest Regards

Carla

[crimple]

Carlax, I find that I can tolerate Lactose free milk. When I tried a dairy free diet I didn't like milk alternatives in my tea but was fine with almond milk on my cereal. I now eat cheese and butter but stick with lactofree milk for my tea.

Going Gluten free can make a big difference to gut absorption. Those diagnosed as coeliac are often anaemic as the gut wall villi have been destroyed leading to anaemia. Do try GF diet.

[Carlax]

Hi Crimple,

I guess you are right. I could do small changes rather than big ones. I know I am not coeliac but I could be intolerant and I guess the gut issues are similar re absorption.

I will start taking milk alternatives and trying to avoid bread and pasta. Once I get to do that I will move from there.

Many thanks

Carla