Graves thyroid results

[Kari55]

hi, what do you think of my results. Is this a good progress?

17 April (I was then on 20mg Carbimazole, after the test I reduced to 10mg)

TSH 0.82 ( 0.465-4.68)

T4 8.2 (10-28.2)

T3 4.6 (4.3-8.1)

6 June

TSH 1.1 ( 0.465-4.68)

T4 8.3 (10-28.2)

T3 5.4 (4.3-8.1)

I am now meant to reduce to 5mg.

I also got my haemoglobin 121 (115-145) and ferritin 4.4 (10-200) checked. This doesn’t look too good. My periods are very heavy since after its return after pregnancy and breastfeeding which was November 2020. I’m now 43 and I’m wondering if this is perimenaupose. Going to see a gynaecologist however they will most likely recommend Mirena coil which I’m not keen on.

many insights would be great.

[pennyannie]

Hello Kari :

Your TSH appears to moving up the range in both these blood tests so think this suggests that this phase of Graves is ending and your immune system having calmed down again.

Your T4 is not yet in the range so agree with the suggestion to reduce down again the Carbimazole.

There is no cure for Graves and all the AT drug does is ' buy you time ' while we wait for your own immune system to calm down again - which it appears it is doing.

Your ferritin level is below the range - which in itself is too wide to be sensible - and I would think an iron infusion suggested as a first step ?

What are the next steps to get your core strength vitamins and minerals - ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D up and maintained at optimal levels to help support all your bodily functions ?

[Kari55 in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you. I will ask next time to have my vitamins checked. I’m not sure if I’d like an iron infusion due to possible side effects but I think I need to start supplementing

[pennyannie in reply to Kari55]

I don't think it is a question of like or not - but a necessity at this point in time along with a full iron panel :

[Kari55 in reply to pennyannie]

Would I need to go via GP to request it?

[pennyannie in reply to Kari55]

Well - yes - and it should already be flagged up for the doctor to action and likely means another round of hospital investigations.

[Kari55 in reply to pennyannie]

My ferritin was 3 couple of year ago and apart from Mirena GP didn’t suggest anything else.

[helvella in reply to Kari55]

The NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary for Iron Deficiency Anaemia says:

In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms a diagnosis of iron deficiency.

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...

Whole guidance might be worth reading.

[Kari55 in reply to helvella]

Thank you

[Kari55 in reply to pennyannie]

Hi pennyannie, I have posted my results on facebook group and a few members told me that I’m severely hypothyroid. Is that your view as well?

[pennyannie in reply to Kari55]

Well - your T3 is holding on in the ' 5's ' but with a T4 under the range - you need a dose reduction in the AT drug - as already suggested above - to allow more of your own new daily thyroid hormone production to be released into your blood stream.

How are you feeling as you are the one with the symptoms - though appreciate it can get confusing as some symptoms sit in both hyper and hypo ' camps ' :

If you go into Thyroid UK - thyroiduk.org - the charity who supports this patient to patient forum there is a list of both hyper and hypo symptoms - so maybe tick box this detailed list may help you know exactly where you are in this treatment regime.

[Kari55 in reply to pennyannie]

thank you. I’m seeing Endo on 8 August so I’m worried that 5mg might be too high for such a long period of time. I might email my Endo. My main symptom is fatigue and feeling hyperactive, brain jumping from one thing into another, lack of motivation. I have young twins and working full time whilst renovating the house so life is hectic. Really not sure how to manage life anymore.

[pennyannie in reply to Kari55]

Sounds like your on a bit of a see saw - and with a lot going on - with little or any down time - and a mix of symptoms -

You could chop the 5 mcg in half and take 2.50 mcg a day ?

[Kari55 in reply to pennyannie]

Yes that’s a good idea , I need to get some 5mg tablets.

[pennyannie in reply to Kari55]

Oh - I thought you were on 5mcg now ?

So if on 10 mcg - chop these in half and take 5 mcg daily :

[Kari55 in reply to pennyannie]

Yes but I’m just cutting 10mg in half as I have a lot.

[pennyannie in reply to Kari55]

Ok then - just chop/chop !! -

Pill cutters are available - try a chemist or on-line - though not found one that 1/4s !!