Blood test help - trial T3 or get vitamins up first?

[housefairy]

Please bear with the first part of this it is relevant:

In late 2021 I was in a job which had become very stressful and was suffering some odd symptoms – in particular I tended to spike a fever for 12-24 hours with no obvious illness, low resting heart rate, very dry skin, extreme tiredness. I had the 2nd Covid jab and had a reaction – swollen lymph nodes in one armpit, fever and generally unwell. Visited GP and had blood tests done. TSH 6.47, T4 19.9 , CRP 34 and folate 3.8. The GP gave me 4 months of folate tablets and upped thyroxine to 125 from 100.

Medichecks test Jan 22 showed reduction in TSH, T4 and CRP. In March 22 I went back to GP, TSH was 2.56 so dropped but still high, T4 was 19.6. At this point GP agreed to small increase from 125 daily to 5 days at 125 & 2 at 150.

I have stayed on the 125/150 dose since then.

I have often thought I would benefit from T3 but have usually just kept my T4 high. I believe that 20% of T3 is made in the thyroid and the rest is by conversion. Logic says, therefore, that without a thyroid I am always 20% down on T3

In April 23 I was approx. 87 kg and at 5ft 3 decided enough was enough. I cut out dairy (was already GF) and all artificial preservatives, colours and flavouring. So 95% of what I eat is made at home so I know exactly what is in it. I also make some changes to how often I eat. Since then I have lost 15 kg and am now about 72 kg.

I have been a bit on edge recently and it occurred to me I might now be overmedicated (if you use the 1.6mcg per kilo) so reduced to 125 daily again. I feel less on edge but have some underactive symptoms – very dry feet/low heart rate (below 60 & I’m no athlete) & tendency to fall asleep when I sit down.

Medichecks results now are:

TSH 0.01 (0.27 -4.22)

T3 4.8 (3.1-6.8) (45.95%)

T4 24.5 (12-22) (125%)

Active B12 47.6 (37.5-188)

Vit D 88.8 (50-150)

Serum Folate 9.3 (7.5-35)

Medichecks are recommending the MMA test to check for B12 Deficiency. I don’t supplement on a regular basis – I have done but have just not got into a regular routine.

My question is do I supplement Vit D and B12 before trialling T3 (which will have to be privately), and is the MMA test worth it before/after supplementing B12?. or do the vitamins and T3 at the same time?

Thanks for reading

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group.

Can I just check how you take your thyroid blood tests?

What time of day and do you take Levo before the test or allow 24hrs between last dose of Levo & blood test?

I'd suggest sorting out your low B12 first. If you suspect pernicious anaemia you should discuss this with your GP before beginning any supplements for B12. It takes 3 months to reduce levels to baseline after you start supplementing so you need to be sure all tests are complete before you supplement.

Your folate level is low also and once you've investigated PA then a B complex would be beneficial.

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...

Do you have a ferritin result?

[housefairy in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hi Jaydee

Thanks for replying.

All tests done 24 hrs from Levo & as near to 9am as possible with only water beforehand as per the protocol on here.

Ferritin is always high or even over range - latest was 206 (30-264). May 23 was 144 (30 -150) May 22 was 162 (13-150).

I know I carry the haemachromatosis gene as I had genetic testing when it was discovered my father had it.

I've looked at PA symptoms & I don't have many so I don't think that's the issue. I can't actually see how they definitively test for it though.

In late 21/ early 22 the GP only tested serum B12 which I've read is the worst one to do. Interestingly as my folate increased with the tablets from the GP the B12 went down slightly.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to housefairy]

We do need optimal levels of all vitamins for our thyroid hormone to work well.

If you eat plenty of red meat then I'd still discuss PA with your GP.

There is no real definitive test for PA, none of them are foolproof but the MMA one should really be run before you begin supplementing. You do need to supplement though at all times judging by your low level.

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...

[Star13]

ingennus B12 and their Folate are two products I’d recommend too as tablets and capsules nice and small to swallow.

Super B-Complex - High Absorption Methylated B Vitamins, Clean Label, Sustained Release - Complete Spectrum of B Vitamins with Folate, Boosted B12 & Vitamin C, 60 Tablets, by Igennus …

amzn.eu/d/bBZonKa

Pure Methyl Folate 400 mcg, 180 Tablets, Clean Label & Vegan, Methylated Form of Folic Acid 5-MTHF (Vitamin B9), Suitable for Pregnancy, One-a-Day, by Igennus

amzn.eu/d/iwJxcMP