results from Blue Horizon

[Mandcol]

please find attached my recent blood results from blue horizon. They have commented that my TSH is too low and I should consider reducing my NDT. As I feel well atm I would be grateful for some opinions on this as my Free T3 though high in range isn’t over. My Ferritin is always high but my GP seems unconcerned when I have mentioned it. Many thanks for reading my post.

[pennyannie]

Hello Mandcol :

I believe the doctors who write these comments are simply quoting guidelines to you to cover themselves.

NDT is the original treatment for hypothyroidism and has been successfully used for over 100 years - and long before the science of blood tests and the surrounding rules and guidelines.

If you feel well on this dose - so be it - but your doctor will likely suggest you need to reduce your dose as your TSH is low suppressed.

The TSH was originally introduced as a diagnostic tool to help identify someone with hypothyroidism and was never intended to be used once on any form of thyroid hormone replacement.

Once on thyroid hormone replacement we need to monitor both T3 and T4 blood tests.

The TSH will be low when taking any form of T3 : it's just what happens - and another reason why TSH - is a very unreliable measure of anything once on medication.

I would continue to ask questions regarding your high ferritin - it can be linked to ( CRP ) inflammation and or antibodies - but neither of these appear over range on this blood test.

[Mandcol in reply to pennyannie]

Many thanks for your reply. I take 3 NDT a day and I do feel well though I still have weak muscles since I was hyperthyroid 6 years ago . I will press again re my high ferritin, thanks again .

[SlowDragon Administrator]

B12 and folate on low side

What vitamin supplements are you taking

No vitamin D results

Ferritin

How old are you

Updated reference ranges for top of ferritin range depending upon age

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Thank you for your incredible patience while you have been awaiting the outcome of our ferritin reference range review. We conducted this with Inuvi lab, which has now changed the reference ranges to the following:

Females 18 ≤ age < 40. 30 to 180

Females 40 ≤ age < 50. 30 to 207

Females 50 ≤ age < 60. 30 to 264l

Females Age ≥ 60. 30 to 332

Males 18 ≤ age < 40 30 to 442

Males Age ≥ 40 30 to 518

The lower limits of 30 are by the NICE threshold of <30 for iron deficiency. Our review of Medichecks data has determined the upper limits. This retrospective study used a large dataset of blood test results from 25,425 healthy participants aged 18 to 97 over seven years. This is the most extensive study on ferritin reference ranges, and we hope to achieve journal publication so that these ranges can be applied more widely.

[Mandcol in reply to SlowDragon]

Many thanks for your reply. I’m a 65 year old female and atm I don’t take any supplements. My vit D levels were at the top of the sheet. Thanks again

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mandcol]

So ferritin level is “normal “ for your age

Sorry…missed vitamin D result

Very good if not supplementing at all

[Mandcol in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the info, I feel quite reassured that everything is ok.

[Brightness14]

Hi I also took Thyroid s for years felt very well when it was similar to your results. If you feel well why not stick to what makes you feel well. How many grains do you take a day and when do you take them.

My TSH has been lower for years and not caused my any problems.

I don't know much about the other things someone will answer you soon.

[Mandcol in reply to Brightness14]

I take 3 NDT daily. 2 in a morning and 1 in the afternoon. Thanks for your reply, my gut feeling is I should keep my NDT as it is. I just needed some reassurance! Many thanks for your reply.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Mandcol]

The old saying if it aint broke dont fix it applies. You are presumably getting your NDT privately so aren't beholden to NHS GP's for your prescriptions so your doses are entirely under your control.

If you feel well and symptom free then I would carry on as you are. Your frees look very good and the suppressed TSH is just what happens when we take any T3 containing product.

[Mandcol in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

I found over 6 years ago that the NHS were never going to make me well again. It’s thanks to the help of people on this site that gave me the courage to source NDT privately. Thanks for the reassurance, I just needed a reminder that doctors aren’t always right !

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Mandcol]

I think a lot of us feel the same way, we learn far more from each other than doctors 😄. But then they dont have a vested interest in making us better. And thyroid is woefully mismanaged.

[Mandcol in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

It certainly is. I ran a health food shop for many years and saw many many people struggling with their health on levothyroxine. It’s so wrong, I think we are worth more money to Big Pharma if our health declines. Keep well x

[Brightness14]

Do you take Thyroid s.

[Mandcol in reply to Brightness14]

Yes, I’ve taken it for about 6 years now .