Help with Blood Results

[Holeintheriver1]

Good Afternoon

i have just received some blood results back and i am slightly miffed that my FT3 is out of range and that my TSH has increased. (bloods were taken at 8.30am with just having water that morning)

i am on 100mg of levothyroxine (i always have the same brand which is mercury) and have been for some time. Should i ask for this to be increased at my doctors appointment tomorrow? what should i ask for with regards to T3?

I have been supplementing B complex + B12 and didnt stop taking them before blood test (i just forgot!) so would this impact B12 result?

I have also been supplementing with simply heme then i stopped for a while then started them again as i was feeling sooooo tired. Ferritin is now out of range. I havent had any other iron results back to see if they have changed at all.

I have recently had some sort of virus where my blood oxygen levels dropped during sleep to 86% for a 2 week period & extreme fatigue. They are back up to normal now. i am left feeling so very tired again.

I have been doing strict Carnivore since January and have been thoroughly enjoying it until this virus!

I cant say that i have had a massive improvement with thyroid symptoms as yet but still hopeful as i have had other improvements.

weight loss

gut improvement (i have gut dysbiosis and leaky gut)

most joints have improved apart from Heberdens nodes on hands (osteoarthritis)

any help/suggestions much appreciated.

Thanks x

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Carnivore diet will reduce your conversion of T4 to T3 as you need carbs to be able to convert well.

You needed an increase in February as your TSH was over 1 and FT4 at 62% of range. Its lower now.

You will need to add a separate folate supplement, 400mcgs, to bring your folate level up to optimal.

Take a B complex just before test is not advised due to the biotin content interfering with results so it might be wise to retest. Your B12 level looks fine.

[Holeintheriver1 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you for your reply. I had doctors appointment this morning and she has increased my T4 dose to 125mg. She told me that unfortunately they dont prescribe T3 at all and thats just the way it is!!! things may change in 10 years time!!!!!!! she also aid that only T4 matters really. thats the one that we use?????? she said ferritin may have increased due to virus? but all other results are ok. i have to redo the bloods in 8 weeks time and this time they will include a full iron panel and testosterone. lets see how the next 8 weeks go x

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Holeintheriver1]

GP's don't prescribe T3 but some Endo's do and its fairly freely available privately. It can be a post code lottery though on the NHS.

You haven't yet reached a point where you're optimally replaced on Levo which is really what you need to do before thinking about adding T3. You likely have another couple of dose increases to make that assessment.

GP's are taught that only T4 matters but as patients (and a few other professionals) we know thats not the case at all.

Be sure to test as per the protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the 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.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

was test early morning

How long before test was last dose levothyroxine

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo?

[Holeintheriver1 in reply to SlowDragon]

test was at 8.30 am. last levo was over 24 hours previous. i weigh 78kgs. unfortunately i forgot about stopping my B vitamins before the bloods were taken so could have an impact on the results?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Holeintheriver1]

So your results and guidelines suggest you need next 25mcg increase in dose to 125mcg daily

78kilo x 1.6mcg Levo = 124.8mcg as likely daily dose

You don’t want to consider adding T3 at this stage

More important to get Levo dose increase

[Holeintheriver1 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you

yes that the dose that i have been prescribed 👍

[Holeintheriver1]

just out of curiosity can someone private message me on where to get NDT? or would i have to see a private doctor or endo first?