Help for a newbie at start of journey

[Irish_Gal]

Hi there. Just joined the forum and its a fantastic source of information - thank you. Was just diagnosed with hypothyroid a week ago after 4 years of feeling totally wiped out so trying to get to grips with it all and can see from the forum its a bit of a journey to try to get well again. Would appreciate any help and advice as I start out especially in terms of best supplementation of vitamins and minerals. I'm a vegetarian with minimal dairy intake with current low ferritin (results below) so definitely need to sort this alongside the thyroid.

Was diagnosed by GP February 2024 and commenced 50mcg levothyroxine. Retest due 8 weeks. TSH 5.42 (0.27 - 4.2) and T4 13.6 (12-22).

I then did medichecks finger test on 27 Feb to get full range of results as follows (advice followed to get best result)

TSH 4.33 (0.27-4.2)

T3 4.0 (3.1-6.8)

T4 15.2 (12-22)

Thyroglobulin antibodies 13.6 (0- 115)

Peroxidase antibodies 12.2 (0- 34)

Ferritin 29.6 (30 - 264)

B12 66.2 (37.5 - 188)

Folate 18.5 (3.9 - 26.8) (GP blood test result as medichecks test failed)

Vitamin d 76.3 (50 - 250)

I have been supplementing vitamin d 4000iu for the last 6 months and also take iron supplements (but not consistently) with the most recent being Vitabiotics ultra iron 14mg with B12 and vit c. What would be the best iron supplement to improve ferritin quickly? My B12 is on the lowish side so I think that also needs improved. Any recommendations?

My main symptoms have been overwhelming fatigue, lack of energy and feeling my metabolism is under strain. These got really bad 4 years ago but as all my blood tests at the time came back 'normal' it was put down to menopause and I started HRT 3 years ago. I still use transdermal oestrogel.

Any advice you can offer on helping me improve my health would be really great. Hope I have provided enough info.

Many thanks 🙂

[SovietSong]

Those frees are very low,T4 32% and T3 24%.It’s also recommended on here that TSH be 1 or under.It’s a slow process I’m afraid and lots of patience is required.The 8 weeks waiting between dose changes is frustrating at times but you will get there.Dosage will be increased in increments of 25mcg until optimised.Others on here will be more educated regarding vitamins but I myself take b complex,vitamin d,magnesium and zinc.

[Irish_Gal in reply to SovietSong]

Thanks! Yes I'm definitely getting the impression it will be a slow process. Am hoping my GP will be on board with dose increase. In the meanwhile I'll investigate options for ferritin etc.Best wishes!

[FallingInReverse]

Hello and welcome! I guess 4 years isn’t so bad to feel wiped out, but rest assured you are on your way!

Currently the thyroid numbers have the clearest near term action. Congrats on getting your Levo 50 mcg starter dose, you could retest as soon as 6 weeks, but 8 is fine, and in almost all (but not 100%) certainty you will ask for an increase to 75. But don’t get ahead of yourself yet. In the meantime, it’s never a bad idea to jot down your symptoms as they occur to you. Otherwise, let these next 6-8 roll without any real expectations. There will likely be ups and downs.

Ferritin is indeed low but ferritin and iron are NOT correlated- one can be up and the other down and vice versa. Therefore you should stop your iron supplements for two reasons. 1) you should never supplement iron without having a full iron panel regularly to ensure you don’t go above range - which is toxic and causes irreversible organ damage. 2) The other is that 14 mgs is likely not enough to help your levels at all if you are deficient, so pretty much a waste of money.

Once you have your iron number/panel, you can come back here and ask for advice on supplements. An iron panel consists of this:

Iron

Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)

Transferrin saturation

Ferritin

High Sensitivity CRP (CRP-hs)

D could do with a little boost. Euthyroid people aim for 50, but we hope for 100. Here’s my favorite D calculator to share:

grassrootshealth.net/projec...

Will help you calculate how much you need to get to 100 and then maintain. It’s recommended you test D twice a year. Our body cant excrete excess, and it’s toxic at prolonged high levels.

Also, you should take vit K with D. It will not impact the way the blood test results come out. But it helps direct the D to your bones and teeth where you need it. Otherwise it calcifies in your blood/veins.

General guidance on K is at least 100 mcgs mk-7 daily. I’ve also read its 100 mcgs per 1000 ius of D. Research shows that it’s hard to get too much K, so 100 or a few hundred probably no difference. I take 7500 and 400 mk-7.

B and Folate - I’m not so learned up on but know that yours looks generally “ok”, as hypo folks aim for a serum B12 result of 500, or active B12 of 70. I’m going to guess yours is Active, but I’m just guessing. Folate I have no idea!

Welcome to the forum!! It might take time, but remember that the vast majority of hypo people do well on Levo and forget all about their hypo! And most of those people are NOT on this board : ) so be hopeful and happy! I’m excited for you to feel better!

[Irish_Gal in reply to FallingInReverse]

Thank you so much for your lovely response and advice. I will follow up on getting an iron panel as I have been confused as to how it correlates with ferritin. Will also look into the vitamin D with K to try to optimise.Your words of encouragement are appreciated!