Help and advice needed (PCOS, hashimotos, blood results)

[Serendipity97]

Hello,I'm a 26 years old woman with two young children aged 2 and 3.

I've had Hashitmotos disease since 2017 and suffered from postpartum thyroiditis after both pregnancys.

I also suffer eith PCOS for over 10 years.

I've recently come off the contraceptive pill (progesterone only) I was only on it for 3 months but it was making my PCOS worse. I had 4 burst cysts within the 3 months I was on it. I am also currently reducing my antidepressants that I've been on since September 2023 (citalopram 20mg) over thr past month I've reduced from 20mg to 10mg and feels so much better for it. My memory was awful to the point I couldn't remember when I'd showered, what day it was, plans I'd made even with help of a calendar. I also became even more depressed and anxious and overall not able to cope, which as a single mother of 2 toddlers is not helpful.

ANYWAY..

I recently has blood tests done and received my results today for thyroid function (they didn't do T3)

Iron profile, full hormone profile and blood count. My FBC has come back high in some and I'm not really sure what this means. I've been feeling unwell for a while now. I haven't had my period for 54 days. I have tried a castor oil pack at night for weeks which would usually help it start but nothing. I take agnus castus every day. I have no energy, I'm taking iron plus from wild nutrition, a women's multi vitamin as well as an immune multi vitamin but my chest always feels heavy. I'm out of breath easily and I honestly couldn't exercise if I tried which is upsetting as I love it. I can't lose weight yet I'm eating well. I currently take 100mg of levothyroxine daily as well as the above multi vitamins and omega 3 and 10mg of Citalopram hoping to keep rducing down. I just wondered if someone could look at these bloods and give me an idea of what might be going on eith me as my GP is no help.

Thanks so much.

Blood results as follows:

FBC in photo attached

Plasma FSH level: 6.2 IU/L

Female FSH reference range:

Follicular Phase: *3.5-12.5*

Ovulation phase: *4.7-21.5*

Luteal Phase: *1.7 - 7.7*

Poat Menopause: 25.8 - 134.8

"Plasma LH Level" 17.0 IU/L

Female LH Reference Range:

Follicular phase: *2.4-12.6*

Ovulation Phase: *14-95.6*

Luteal Phase: *1.0-11.4*

Post Menopause: *7.7 - 58.5*

"Plasma prolactin level" 162 mIU/L (102-496)

"Plasma oestradiol level" 198 pmol/L

Female 0E2 ref range:

Follicular phase: *114-332*

Ovulation Phase: *222-1959*

Luteal Phase: *222-854*

Post menopuase: *<505

Vitamin B12 foliate

Vitamin b12 level: 556ng/L (197-771)

Foliate level: 11.2 ug/L (3.0-26.8)

Iron profile:

Serum transferrin: 2.25 (2.00-3.60)

Ferritin level: 67 (13-150)

Iron level:20 (10-30)

Transferrin Saturation: 35.6% (20.0- 55.0)

Thyroid function

TSH level : 2.16 (0.27-4.20)

Free T4: 18.3 (12.00-22.00

Urea, creatinine and electrolytes:

Sodium level: 140 (135-146)

Potassium level: 4.1 (3.5-4.6)

Chloride level: 105 (95-108)

Urea level: 4.2 (2.5-7.8)

Creatinine level: 58 (45-84)

Bicarbonate level: 22 (22-29)

#hashimotos #thyroidfunction #PCOS #hormones

[SlowDragon Administrator]

TSH level : 2.16 (0.27-4.20)

Free T4: 18.3 (12.00-22.00

There’s no Ft3

So you need to test these together to see how good your conversion is

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Just TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 test - £32

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

10% off code here

thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

No vitamin D either

When was this last tested

What vitamin D are you taking

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Your TSH is above 2, so its too high. You need a Levo dose increase.

Most people feel well when their TSH is at or just below 1.

Many doctors are happy to keep our level mid range but to feel well we really need them at the lower end of normal range.

You need to insist your GP gives you a dose raise. Point out NICE guidelines indicating dose by weight (this is just a guide to final dose).

1.6 x weight in kilos = final Levo dose.

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145

If one doctor refuses to raise your dose then try a different doctor. Keep asking and don;t give up.

Its better to see all 3 thyroid panel results together - TSH, FT4 & FT3 as this would show if you are converting well. The NHS rarely if ever does this so you will need to buy a private test to see that.

See link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost.thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

There is also a new company offering walk in& mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

Many with autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's benefit from a gluten free diet. A smaller percentage of those also need to remove dairy from their diet to feel well. These are intolerances and will not show up on any blood test.

[greygoose]

Depending on the ingredients, your two multi-vits could be making things worse, rather than better. We never recommend multis on here for many reasons. Can you tell us exactly which ones you're taking?

But even if they're not doing any harm, highly unlikely they're doing any good, so a terrific waste of money.

[Heloise]

Look up Felice Gersh. She just hosted a Summit on PCOS and suffered it as well. She is an Ob/Gyn who thoroughly understands the condition.

You must get your TSH down.

[chrisbuy63]

Hi please do some research about a herbal product called Berberine, many with PCOS

have had good results using it and even with thyroid troubles.

Youtube does have some good videos on Berberine by medical people.

Dr Western Childs is one such person and he is also well informed re thyroid conditions.

[Serendipity97 in reply to chrisbuy63]

Thankyou for this! I take berbine every day