latest results - still unwell

[RoseStar]

these are my latest results after a few months on 100mcg levo and 5mcg lio

TSH: 1.47 (0.3-4.2)

T3: 4.8 (3-5.4)

T4: 14.6 (9-19)

I’m still suffering with fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, weight gain. But HOW?! The doctor said these results are absolutely fine 😭

[greygoose]

Fine for some people, I'm sure. But obviously not for you. We're all different. And, all he really means is that they're all within their ranges. But that doesn't mean very much. Your TSH is actually a little on the high-side, so your pituitary obviously doesn't agree with your doctor. Someone on T3 would usually have a TSH much lower than that. So, your body is finding that it hasn't quite got enough FT3, and symptoms is its way of showing that. After all, 5 mcg a day is only a tiny dose.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

T3 ….day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test

is this how you did the test ….splitting your T3 as 2.5mcg day before test, with last 2.5mcg 8-12 hours before test

Was last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

When were vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin last tested

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Is your hypothyroidism autoimmune

[RoseStar in reply to SlowDragon]

yes it is autoimmune

Yes I followed all the tips for the blood draw thanks to this informative site

Bit confused why my T4 is now less than optimal but T3 is - does this mean I need more T4?

These were tested and folate and B12 is now good thanks to Thorne Basic B

red cell folate: 1452 (340-1474.7)

Active B12: 157 (25.1-165)

However Vit D and Ferritin need improving:

Vit D: 70 (50-200)

Ferritin: 34 (13-150)

Was advised to go up to 4000iu vit D to get it above 100 and to take some gentle iron to improve ferritin. However, I have just noticed my iron is nearly max:

Iron: 25.6 (6.6-26)

T.I.B.C: 55 (41-77)

Transferrin saturation: 47% (20-55)

I am vegetarian.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to RoseStar]

However, I have just noticed my iron is nearly max:

Iron: 25.6 (6.6-26)

T.I.B.C: 55 (41-77)

Transferrin saturation: 47% (20-55)

I am vegetarian.

So as iron is high, you can only improve low ferritin by increasing iron rich foods in diet. Stop iron supplements

[pennyannie]

Hello RoseStar :

Just being in the ranges does not give you back your wellness -

it's about that unique set point - within the ranges - where your body metabolises -

No thyroid hormone replacement works well until the core strength vitamins and minerals of ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D are up and maintained at optimal levels -

Do you have any readings/ranges of these - I now aim for a ferritin at around 100 - folate 20 - active B12 around 125 ( serum B12 500++ ) and vitamin D at around 125.

We generally feel best when the T4 is up in the top quadrant of it's range at around 75/80% with the T3 tracking just behind at around 60/70% through its range -

Currently your T4 is at around 56% with your T3 tracking at around 75% :

Maybe you took the T3 too close to the blood draw and why it's higher than the T4 ?

[RoseStar in reply to pennyannie]

Hello, posted vitamin ranges above.

No the T3 was taken 12hrs before test

Do you think it’s reasonable to ask for a 12.5mcg increase in my levothyroxine?

[pennyannie in reply to RoseStar]

My ferritin was down at 22 - and all my research came back stating that no thyroid hormone replacement works well - until ferritin is over 70 -

I was not allowed to supplement until I had the all clear from an endoscopy and colonoscopy - I was over 65 so maybe why I had the internal investigations ??

So I think obviously your ferritin first needs sorting out and suggest you first get an iron panel run to rule out anything else going on before you start supplementing :

I too purchased Gentle Iron as the NHS tablets upset my stomach - but any iron bisgylcinate will be ' kinder and softer ' on your stomach and bowel.

Someone on here used Ferrograd C tablets and found these worked very well :

Ferritin does take time to build - took me over 9 months to tip over 70 but so worthwhile - also try eating liver once a week :

[jgelliss in reply to pennyannie]

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