BLOOD TEST RESULT HELP NEEDED please

[damehypo]

Just back from the Doctor. He cannot understand my blood test results (just back) I have all the thyroid symptoms for being underactive, low thyroid, swollen legs, feet and ankles, reddened shins and dry scaley skin legs and arms and face. Hair loss - outer eye brows and elsewhere, hoarse voice you name it, racing heart, and cold to touch skin. Rapid heart beats, Exercise intolerant too.

TSH 'Undiscoverable by blood test'

T4 13.7 - normal range 12-22

FT3 4 - normal range - normal range 3.1 - 6.8

serum iron 17 (normal range 9-30

serum transferrin 2.9 (normal range 2-4

transferrin saturation 29 (normal range 00-50

Vit D too high at 175 (normal max 170)

Really need some help with these please, as I am lost for words with the doctor!

[HealthStarDust]

You need a repeat test in a few weeks to 3 months time.

[damehypo in reply to HealthStarDust]

Thank you for your reply. I guess that will occur, Dr is writing to an endo for advice as he cannot understand the results. :0)

[GlowCoach Administrator]

What hormones are you taking for your thyroid at the moment?

Looking back on previous posts you were once on T3? If your TSH has been suppressed for a long time then sometimes it never recovers leaving you with an undetectable TSH.

When did you take last dose of Levo & T3 before this test?

Your FT4 is too low as is your FT3 depending on what and when you took last doses.

What are you supplementing with?

Do you have a result for B12 & folate?

You could drop your vit D dose a little, too much can be harmful. Vitamin D should be around 100 - 150. Buy one that includes vit K2 to help it go to your bones. Some are available in oil or you can take it with an oily meal for better absorption. Many members like the ‘Better You’ range of mouth sprays that contain both bit D & K2. Use this calculator to work out how much to take to get your level to 100-150.grassrootshealth.net/projec...

[damehypo in reply to GlowCoach]

Hello Jaydee1507

Yes I am on 15mg T3 (liothyronine and 125 levo.

B12 -511 - range 197-771

folate - 4.58 range 3.90-26.80

Serum ferritin - apparently I am likely on iron overload(?) 223.0 - range 14.0-186

I take k2/vit C/ zinc/selenium and vit D (will miss some doses or get a reduced one)

Really appreciate you messaging - thank you

[damehypo in reply to GlowCoach]

ps. sorry -

The last dose of both meds I took before the dose were the day before - so more than 24 hours, As I take the lot in one go in the morning around ten - bloods were drawn about 3pm

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to damehypo]

No wonder they cant make sense of your results. Its really important to time last doses of Levo & T3 before the blood test because otherwise you get results showing a false low (if too longer time gap) or false high if too shorter time gap. Make a note in your calendar to remind yourself the day before a blood test is booked.

Firstly always book thyroid tests for 9am or earlier when TSH is at its highest.

Time dose of Levo the previous day so its 24hrs from blood test time.

For T3, split dose into 3 and take last portion 8-12hrs before blood test time.

Your results will then show stable blood levels of T4 & T3.

You could always ask to retest.

Do you always take Levo on its own and allow an hour before eating or drinking anything other than water? Many people find taking it at bedtime works well for them, gives better absorption.

Have you tried splitting your T3 dose into 2 or 3?

B12 & folate are on the low side.

What members in this group find are that we need OPTIMAL levels of all key vitamins for our thyroid hormone to work well.

I'd recommend a good methyl B complex that will raise both B12 & folate and help keep all your B vitamin levels in balance.

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...

[damehypo]

Really grateful for your reply. I have absolutely NO control over the time nor date of blood tests. Here in Scotland where I am we have to email a hub, and then after a couple of days we get an appointment. It could be any time or any day. We cannot just phone the surgery, it is a really horrible system

I take your point about too long before the blood draw. Yes I take the levo away from anything but water. I tried splitting the t3 dose, but for some reason it appeared to keep me awake. I could try splitting 2 and then 1 instead of three lots

Thank you SO much for all the links, but thank you especially for replying to me concerning test results. Yes I saw I was low on B12 and especially folate.

I shall check out methyl B.

Have a great weekend.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to damehypo]

I tried splitting the t3 dose, but for some reason it appeared to keep me awake.

Even if you NORMALLY take T3 as single dose, day before test ALWAYS split the T3 ….5mcg waking, 5mcg mid afternoon and 5mcg at 8-9pm

Test privately if you can’t get early morning test

Medichecks or Blue Horizon

Or

Test at home or in clinic Randox

FULL thyroid test just £29

randoxhealth.com/en-GB/at-h...

Just TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 test - £32

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

10% off code here

thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

[66olives in reply to damehypo]

Can you not email back asking really politely for an early am slot?