Help understanding blood tests results please.

[hypo27]

I have dyscalculia and subsequently struggle with understanding the numerical results from blood tests.

Can anybody advise on my latest blood test results, what do they mean?

I’m Hypothyroid & I’ve been diagnosed with Hashimoto's too.

My endo is only ever concerned about my numbers being “in range”and has never been interested in how I actually feel or any symptoms that I experience.

He didn’t prescribe me T3, it was prescribed by a previous endo. My current endo has wanted to stop me taking T3 @ 10mcg twice a day for some time now, he doesn’t like it. I have resisted this change in meds. I also take 50g of Thyroxine.

My latest blood tests came back as shown below and I’ve no idea how to interpret them, so any help would be appreciated. I’m normally “within range” but this time something is off.

Serum free T4 level: 18.4

Serum TSH: 0.05

Serum Free T3 level: 7

I had bloods taken an hour or so after taking my medication, I would normally take them after my blood tests.

Any insights would be much appreciated- thank you.

[GlowCoach Administrator]

Your results look on the high side but you haven't added the reference range for each test (numbers in brackets after your result) which is important as they are different in each lab.

Sorry that you have to deal with more numbers but please can you add those extra numbers or put them as a comment.

Why did you take meds an hour before the test? Thats probably the only reason that your results are on the high side nd no doubt would have been lower had you allowed the recommended timing as per the protocol:

Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw, last T3 dose 8-12 hours before blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process).

Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

So your results are showing the peak of when both T4 & T3 enter your blood stream as opposed to the stable blood levels.

How are your key vitamins looking - ferritin, folate, B12 & D3?

What are you supplementing with?

[hypo27 in reply to GlowCoach]

Thank you for your response,

I will post them as I received them but they will be in two messages as they won’t load together. Ferritin, B12 & D all normal. First 2 results above.

Test results

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to hypo27]

Normal reuslts aren't good enough. You need to know that they are OPTIMAL which is usually 50-75% of range.

Can you post the vitamin results too along with reference ranges?

[hypo27 in reply to GlowCoach]

is this sufficient?

Test result

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to hypo27]

Yes that shows the range which in this case is 3.1-6.8.

You can see on the graph what happens immediately after you take a dose of T3. There is a peak where levels rise and then they begin to fall.

The reason for timing the dose of Levo & T3 before a blood test is to avoid capturing this peak which is only short lived and to capture the stable levels instead.

Timing should be 24hrs for Levo & 8-12hrs for T3.

The day before your blood test, adjust when you take your hormones to suit the time of your blood test.

FT3 graph after dose

[hypo27 in reply to GlowCoach]

taking my meds prior to the tests was an error on my part and no, I’m not taking Biotin and am aware that that can interfere with results

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to hypo27]

Was it a private or NHS test?

Suggest you explain to your doctor if it was NHS and ask for a retest.

50mcgs Levo on combi therapy isn't likely to be enough. Most people need 100-125mcgs Levo in combination with 5-20mcgs T3.

Can you post your vitamin results? Highly likely several are too low.

We need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins for our thyroid hormmone to work well.

[hypo27 in reply to GlowCoach]

another to follow

Test result

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to hypo27]

Your ferritin needs to be a bit higher. Suggest increasing iron rich foods in diet and eating them often. Chicken livers, pate, red meat etc

Link with ideas for dietary iron:

dailyiron.net/https://three...

[hypo27 in reply to GlowCoach]

one more to follow

Test results

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to hypo27]

OK I've seen this B12 now. Its too low. You will need to supplement probably life long now to keep this up where it needs to be. Don't stop supplementing when you're level gets to a good place otherwise it will just drop back to this level again. You can see the marker on the bar towards the left, it needs to be towards the right and even more far right.

Are you vegan or vegetarian? If not:

B12 - do you have symptoms of B12 deficiency? The reference range for B12 is very wide and cut off point too low. theb12society.com/signs-and...

If you do then you should discuss this with your doctor for further tests for Pernicious Anaemia.

If not, then start with a methyl B12 sublingual spray or lozenge for a week, then add a good B complex. Once you run out of the separate B12 just continue with the B complex.

cytoplan.co.uk/vitamin-b12-...

amazon.co.uk/Better-You-Boo...

B complex suggestions: Slightly cheaper options with inactive B6:

amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...

Contains B6 as P5P an active form:

bigvits.co.uk/thorne-resear...

healf.com/products/basic-b-...

Explanation about the different forms of B6:

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

B complex comparison spreadsheet:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[hypo27 in reply to GlowCoach]

I rarely eat red meat, I eat fish and occasionally chicken. Fruit and veg are always in the mix. I will definitely go back to supplements again. I need some time to read and digest all the links you’ve kindly sent me, nevertheless, I now have a clearer understanding of what I need to rectify. I can’t thank you enough.

[hypo27 in reply to GlowCoach]

the only other result out of range

Test results

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to hypo27]

CRP is a marker for inflammation. Yours is only very marginally raised.

Raised CRP can affect results for ferritin making them look falsley high so yuour ferritin result may be very slightly less than is actually showing due to this tiny amount of inflammation.

Were there results for B12 & folate?

[hypo27 in reply to GlowCoach]

The reason for all the blood tests I had was due to ongoing severe joint pain. GP thinks it is a combination of Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Hands super inflamed and starting to deform. I had expected a higher inflammation result. I had a hip scan yesterday so hopefully that will establish if arthritis is the culprit for the joint pain issues I’m experiencing. Thank you once again for taking the time to respond and the advice you’ve given me.

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to hypo27]

Omega 3 is very good for joint issues and inflammation. Buy a good quality, high dose one such as Bare Biology liquid, it does take quite a few months to start working though.

Just saying but dyscalcula can be linked with hypermobile joints - ehlers danlos syndrome or joint hypermobility syndrome.

[hypo27 in reply to GlowCoach]

I had been on omega 3 as part of a range of supplements that I was taking. It looks like dropping the supplement regime has made my symptoms worsen over time. Hyper mobility / dyscalcula link is really interesting and something for me to read up on and might explain the ongoing hip issue.

[Caze in reply to GlowCoach]

HiYou state that most people need 100-125mcgs Levo in combination with 5-20mcgs T3. Could you explain the reasoning behind this Thanks

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to Caze]

Thats just my personal experience of seeing members results and when they feel well.

[Caze in reply to GlowCoach]

Many thanks for your reply.

[hypo27]

it was an NHS test so will ask for a retest

I’d asked my endo to up my thyroxine but he won’t do this.

vitamin results coming in separate posts

Test results

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to hypo27]

Vit D needs to be a bit higher also.

Vitamin D should be around 100 - 150. Buy one that includes vit K2 to help it go to your bones. Some are available in oil or you can take it with an oily meal for better absorption. Many members like the ‘Better You’ range of mouth sprays that contain both bit D & K2. Use this calculator to work out how much to take to get your level to 100-150.grassrootshealth.net/projec...

[hypo27 in reply to GlowCoach]

Thank you, I’m not taking any supplements at the moment so I will go back to taking them again. I did used to take a range of supplements in the past including pro biotics to help with gut health too.

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to hypo27]

You haven't got results here for B12 & folate but most people need a high dose, methyl/active type B complex.

If you post results we can make suggestions.

[hypo27 in reply to GlowCoach]

I’ve posted B12 but I don’t appear to have a test result for folate. I will address the B supplements as I have been low in the past.

[Blissful in reply to hypo27]

Don't forget prebiotics as well - hardish bananas are a good source and all members of the allium family (onions etc.) Our B vits are mainly produced by our guts I believe - taking probiotics can be a bit of a waste unless the prebiotic system has nourishment to support/maintain the production of probiotics.

[foxkennedy21]

Hi hypo, I may have the wrong. If you have a disability such as dyscalculia nobody understands. Except those who work in the field. Ask your doctor to write it as to whether your numbers on your tests are too low/too high or ok? Tests are incredibly hard to read. Just be blunt and tell them I just don't understand.

[hypo27 in reply to foxkennedy21]

Thank you for the suggestion, I find it all rather challenging to grasp. I would like to try and understand what I’m looking at, regardless of my struggles with numbers. I think on this occasion my mistake of having blood tests, too close to taking meds, skewed my results, so I’m taking @Jaydee1507’ advice and getting a retest.