Felt fatigued & overwhelmed at times, seen a much improvement with my gut since following a strict gluten & diary free diet which this sight has recommended.
Confused about thyroid results though especially with antibodies being high
Currently taking 100 mcg levothyroxine at night
Recently had blood tests some are borderline, fbc normal
Serum folate 5.6 (4.6-18.7), Vit D 61 (51-250) B12 717ng/L (197-771), ferritin 69ng/ml (13-150)
T4 16.8(10-22), TSH 7.4 (0.3-4.2) Gp increased dose to 125mcg first night had hot sweats all night & brain fog all day, stopped taking the extra 25mcg not sure what to do?
your results are a little confusing, can I check how long you have been on medication and also when you had your blood tests done what time were they done, were they fasting (how long since last meal) and how long since your thyroid meds.
On first thoughts you need T3 rather than more T4, but it’s best to hear the answers to the above questions.
It’s hard to determine what to do here, as your results are slightly distorted due to timings.
Perhaps one of the more knowledgeable members will be able to navigate the complexity and come up with some advice that helps as I do t want to suggest something that will cause you more issues.
Is there a reason you take Levo at night? I’be always been told to have it first thing on waking.
Some people find levo is better absorbed if taken before bed. Myself, I don't find any difference.
But levo can be taking any time you like, as long as it is two hours after a meal or one hour before. It's basically a storage hormone, so timing isn't crucial.
I tried in the morning but it suits me better to take in the evening as recommended.
I recently seen a naturopath who is amazing and she recommended certain supplements my gut as been much better as I have billiary issues that impact my digestion.
We are all different and react to low thyroid levels a bit differently.
My guts were bad more than a year before I started thyroid hormone. I was gluten free for a year and they were a bit better but not right. They are good now that thyroid levels are settled.
When I previously went from 100 to 125 dose, I felt terrible. I just felt really unwell physically and emotionally. Same when my endo reduced me from 100 to 75. I just cant take big changes in my dose, so I go low and slow now.Can you cut the pill in half? Then gradually build up over a few weeks. Maybe give that a try?
Been on meds since 2021, NHS blood test @ 5pm on the Monday stopped the levo on the Saturday, didn’t eat much on the day.
OK, so let's have a look at what this means:
T4 16.8(10-22) 48.00% Given that the gap between the last dose of levo and the blood draw was much more than 24 hours - more like 48 hours! You have a very, very false 'low' FT4 here. There's no way we can calculate by how much, but it probably means that that increase in dose was unwise.
TSH 7.4 (0.3-4.2) Simmilary, we have no way of knowing how high the TSH would be if it had been done at any other time. BUT, if you want to be able to compare results, the blood draw always has to be done at the same time of day.
Private blood test @ 6am unfortunately I did take my levo at 10pm the night before
TSH 5.53 (.27-4.2) So, at 6 am it is still high, so you are under-medicated, just not on levo.
T4 21.7 (12-22) 97.00% And this is a false high, given that you took your levo only 8 hours before. So, we actually have no idea what your FT4 level is. Probably about 75% through the range - at a very, very rough guess.
T3 3.8 (3.1-6.8) 18.92% And this is the reason for your high TSH. You are a poor converter and your FT3 is much, much too low for good health.
TPO 81 IU/ml I take it this is over-range? What it means is, you have Hashi's, that's all. Apart from that it doesn't give you any information.
With Hashimoto how is this controlled.?
It isn't. You can't control Hashi's, it's uncontrolable and unpredictable. You have to go a lot by listening to your body and doing what it tells you. But, first of all, you have to learn to listen to your body, and that takes time.
So, all in all, what you need to do is get new testing - because none of this is reliable - doing it the way we advise on here:
- early morning blood draw - before 9 am
- fasting over-night
- a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the blood draw.
I know it's tempting, when doing a finger-prick test at home, to do it very early. But, realistically, you can't expect an NHS test to be done at that time. So, best to stick to around 9 am for all testing.
For the poor conversion, as you have Hashi's there's probably not much you can do. But first of all, make sure that all nutrients are optimal, they aren't at the moment. Also make sure you consume enough calories - no low-calorie diets! - you need calories to convert.
Serum folate 5.6 (4.6-18.7)/B12 717ng/L (197-771) Your folate is low - should be at least in double figures. But your B12 is good/high. Are you taking B12 supplements? If not, it's probably high because your folate is low. Try increasing folate-rich foods, like leafy green veg. And camembert cheese!
Vit D 61 (51-250) Should be higher. But can't advise you, there.
ferritin 69ng/ml (13-150) Should be higher but don't take iron tablets without getting a full iron panel done, because your serum iron could be high, even if your ferritin is low-ish. Try increase iron-rich food, like liver once a week - can be delicious!
A lot over 24 hours. Yes, I know she takes it in the evening. 10 pm, I think she said. So, she took it on Saturday, didn't take it on Sunday - that's 24 hours. Then the blood draw was 5 pm on Monday, that's another 19 hours. So, 43 hours by my calculations. Unless I've totally misunderstood the time-line.
Thanks greygoose. I'll excuse myself on the basis that I'm still under treated thanks to the everlasting effects of Amiodarone, stopped last October! 🙈
Thank you Greygoose much appreciated and makes sense about increasing my calories, I do like lambs liver, not been taking B12 supplements should I start?
I'd definitely look st increasing your vit D. It's rather low and needs to be around the 100 mark. Have a look at Grassroutes or Vit D Council they can explain how much to increase and for how long. You need vit D checking once or twice a year. Low vit D cause typical symptoms of non restorative sleep, fatigue, aching joints, low mood.
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