Results - help please

[Zarahb]

Hi there,I am posting on behalf of my mum (I have hashis and in my own personal nightmare!). She has diagnosed hypothyroidism, not autoimmune. She is 72, has been on levo for around 20 years, current dose 75mg, she doesn't specify a brand so I suspect it's whatever the pharmacist gives her.

Serum ferritin

58 ug/L (30-250)

TSH

1.53 m/UL

(0.35-4.94)

Vit D

93 nmol/L (50 - 200)

Serum free T4 level

13.1 pmol/L (9.0 - 19.1)

Serum free T3 level

4.3 pmol/L (2.4 - 6.0)

B12 499 ng/L (200 - 900)

Her main issues are anxiety, stomach issues (especially losing bladder control, pain in rectum area), fatigue, muscle issues. She has been through the usual story familiar to those on the forum - it's something else, endless testing but no positive outcomes of actually feeling better. I would be really grateful for anyone's feedback/opinions/how well she is converting.

Thank you!!

Sorry quick edit on the B12 done now 😊

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I would definitely ask for an increase to 100mcg, to get FT4/ FT3 higher in the range. I personally like to adjust by 12.5mcg (using a pill cutter), not 25mcg in one go, adding a further 12.5mcg when well tolerated.

Also ask GP for an iron panel, to see if this sheds light on ferritin being on the low side. Please don’t consider any iron supplements unless a full iron panel has been completed.

[Zarahb in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you so much for responding Buddy195 , I appreciate it. Do you know what percentage her conversion is? Sorry I know I'm leaning heavily on the forum here. I just want her to have as much info as possible before she goes back to her GP. She has been on 100mg levo before so I think her GP will be sympathetic.

[pennyannie]

Hello Zaranb :

We generally feel best when out T4 is in the top quadrant of its range at around 80% with the T3 tracking just behind at around 60/70% through its range.

Your Mum's T4 is at around 42% with her T3 at around 53% so her results inverted and she is struggling as there is not enough T4 circulating in her body for her to function well and convert the T4 into T3 with ease -

so am increase In T4 - should ease this problem -

Some people can't tolerate some brands of Levothyroxine which can cause them stomach issues - so this likely another issue to look at -

No thyroid hormones work well until the core strength vitamins and minerals are up and maintained at optimal - I know now I need my ferritin at around 100 - folate around 20 - active B12 at around 125 ( serum B12 500 ++ ) and vitamin D at around 125.

Ferritin needs building - I read this needs to be over 70 for any thyroid hormone to work well

You Mum's B12 looks very low/odd/strange ????

Everything seemed to go pear shaped for me when I turned 65 - and I'm sure there is a guideline somewhere - suggesting older people need lower doses - I now self medicate and stay away and much improved at 77 :