Hi I will add my previous post but I will also give a quick recap:
I first came on with low T4 levels but TSH in range. The doctors did regular tests saying it wasn't being tested properly.
I eventually got referred to an endocrinologist. After a while of more testing I was discharged and told that my low T4 was normal for me.
I also had multiple low vitamin levels with vitamin D being deficient.
It has taken a while but I have finally got my vitamin D levels rising. Taking 4000 iu in a spray. B12 slowly rising but struggling with my folate and ferritin still.
The interesting result I got this time is the Anti thyroglobulin is high. It has been steadily rising with each test from blue horizon.
My total T4 is also below normal levels.
My T3 is borderline low.
I have also noticed looking back at previous tests that the lower my T4 is the higher my TSH is even though it is still within range.
Ive also been gluten free for 2 months and noticed my CRP and cortisol levels are now longer than previous test. I don't know whether their is a connection.
I still feel like rubbish all the time, fatigue, aching, brain fog etc.
With my antibodies rising I feel like I might have sub clinical hypothyroidism and will have to wait for my TSH to rise before any treatment will be given.
Do you think I might be able to push for the doctor to get me an ultrasound scan of my thyroid?
Im not sure what to do.
I feel its pointless being referred back to the endocrinologist.
I do feel with my antibodies rising that I finally have proof that something is going on with my thyroid.
Thankyou Moviegeek7
Written by
Moviegeek7
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Serum ferritin level is the biochemical test, which most reliably correlates with relative total body iron stores. In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency.
Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing.
It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron
Test early morning, only water to drink between waking and test. Avoid high iron rich dinner night before test
Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption
This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.
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.
Im not vegetarian or vegan. I mostly eat chicken. I did eat steak once a week but haven't for a while. I usually have eggs daily for breakfast and have high percentage dark chocolate. I will start adding the other things you suggested and start having more red meat. I will also look into getting one of the supplements to gave links to. Its interesting about it affecting TSH levels.
Im using a spray for b12 ( better you) 1,200ug.
I ran out of my folic acid tablets a few weeks ago. It seems to drop really quickly. Ive just bought some more today. Active folic containing L- Methylfolate 400ug.
This is the first test that has shown my vitamin D rising even after loading doses from the doctors.
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
Now your Active B12 level has reached over 70 ( serum B12 is over 500) you may be able to slowly reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
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
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
Hi thankyou for your reply. I have had an MRI of brain and nothing unusual was found. Everything is ok. So they ruled out anything to do with my pituitary gland.
Just because there isn't any physical damage it doesn't mean the pituitary is functioning normally. For example, the TRH receptors in the pituitary may not be working normally or the hypothalamic pituitary thyroid axis may be down regulated or you may be producing TSH with low bioactivity. The fact is you thyroid is not secreting enough hormones and you TSH is not elevating.The fundamental issue is you have an abnormal thyroid profile combined with hypothyroid symptoms. The fact they don't understand it is not a reason to feny treatment.
It looks like Secondary Hypothyroidism. If your MRI wasn't pituitary focused with contrast it doesn't rule anything out. I would want blood tests to check TSH, FT4, 9am Cortisol, IGF1, Prolactin, LH, FSH and the sex hormones. Endocrinologists are not all equal, some mostly deal with diabetes and thyroid but pituitary dysfunction really needs someone who specialises in that field.
Hi. I think I'm in the same situation as you. My TSH rises but not above the set ranges. My TSH range is the same whether my fT4 is 40% through range or it's 9% through range...
I'm also being fobbed off despite anomalous blood results and an ultrasound scan showing thyroiditis. No treatment yet.
Keep pushing for treatment because with such low T4 your body is really struggling and it's causing long-term harm.
I'm trying to make an appointment with an endocrinologist who has thyroid/pituitary as their special areas of interest. Very hard to get appointments as many people who would normally use the NHS are having to go private 😏
Just looking at your thyroglobulin results being high. This could be causing T4 and T3 to be so low. Have you had your thyroid scanned? If not I think you should. If you’re not getting anywhere with an endocrinologist then ask your GP to be referred to an ENT ( ear nose and throat Dr). Do you have any lumps even small pea size that you can feel. Don’t wish to alarm you only saying this as my sister had high thyroglobulin results. The NHS Endo was rubbish and she changed hospital to an ENT Dr. They did a fine needle aspiration and found thyroid cancer. It was removed within 2 weeks after months of getting nowhere with an NHS Endo who discharged her saying she had ME. It may not be what I’ve said but it’s worth checking. You’re obviously feeling symptoms of a failing thyroid. Just phone your GP tomorrow and get an ENT appointment.
Vitamins could do with a boost also especially vitamin D it shouldn’t be lower than 75 for bone health but aim for 100.
My sister and I see a fantastic private endocrinologist. He is head of the pituitary foundation and an expert on the thyroid. I can share his details with you if you want. He’s not expensive and does zoom and telephone as well as face to face if you can’t travel. We have learnt so much since we had our consultation. I am now symptom free. Just private message me
And see a thyroid specialist ….one with a particular interest in central hypothyroidism
Roughly where in U.K. are you
Here’s link for how to request Thyroid U.K.list of private Doctors emailed to you, but within the email a link to download list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists who will prescribe T3
Ideally choose an endocrinologist to see privately initially and who also does NHS consultations
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Endocrinology appointment update
Saw new Endocrinologist today - starting trial of Erfa!
Feedback on the results please
Endocrinologist wants to reduce by levo by 50mcg and double my T3... advice please
Vit D?? Thyroid Antibodies ??
