Any help interpreting blood results, much appreciated!

[Ajom]

hypothyroid about 15 years (postpartum), Levothyroxine stable at 125mg, got a blood test for the first time- I don’t even know if I have autoimmune disease! So these results don’t really mean anything to me apart from obviously looking at the ranges. The folate seems quite low and CRP whatever that is, inflammation? a bit high? I am experiencing fatigue (struggling to work only 4hrs/day), woozy feeling, lack of concentration and awful tension in neck/shoulders probably down to 50 years of poor posture! Wondered if it could be nerve compression! Anyway, thank you!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

welcome to the forum

Was test done early morning, ideally before 9am, only water to drink between waking and test and last dose Levo 24 hours before test

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Yes thyroid antibodies appear negative

However

20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Paul Robson on atrophied thyroid - especially if no TPO antibodies

paulrobinsonthyroid.com/cou...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your Ft3 looks low in comparison to Ft4

But need to know when last dose Levo was before test

Free T4 (fT4) 18.8 pmol/L (12 - 22) 68.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 4.1 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 27.0%

If last dose levothyroxine was 24 hours before test results show poor conversion rate

[Ajom in reply to SlowDragon]

thanks for your reply, the test was done at 10am and I had had my Levothyroxine before the test, I didn’t realise I wasn’t supposed to!

[Ajom in reply to Ajom]

I think they’re always the same brand Levo, as for supplements when I remember! I take vit D & iron sulphate (in vit C)

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ajom]

So your Ft4 is false high result

How low would it be if last dose 24 hours before test……probably 14 or 15 ……so if that’s correct…..showing you need dose increase in levothyroxine

This would then increase both Ft4 and Ft3

Suggest you start a daily vitamin B complex

Increase vitamin D supplement a bit

Then retest with CORRECT timings in 6-8 weeks

Likely to see there’s room to increase your dose levothyroxine a little

[Ajom in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you! Most helpful

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Low folate

supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance

Difference between folate and folic acid

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

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...

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 can be difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

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...