Do I have scope for an increase?

[Molly161018]

My last results for T4 & T3 are above - I'm wondering if I could benefit from a small thyroxine increase... currently on 150mcg T4 and 12.5mcg T3 daily. I'm 25 weeks pregnant and struggling with low energy. Want to be in tip top condition for the birth as I had a long one last time and I believe my levels may have been a bit on the low side then. Obviously I don't want to overmedicate either as I don't need any sleeping issues or anxiety etc!

I wondered about taking 1 x 25mcg every 5 days, so effectively adding 5mcg daily...and seeing how we go...would be glad of any advice, thank you x

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

When did you last take your Levo & T3 before this test and how much?

Free T4 (fT4) 17.6 pmol/L (12 - 22) 56.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 5.5 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 64.9%

Most people on combi therapy aim for around 70% of range for both FT4 & Ft3 so there is a little room for an increase.

How are your vitamin results?

What supplements are you taking?

[Molly161018 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Appreciate your reply Jaydee, Test was done on waking, last levo dose (150mcg) 24 hours before and half T3 dose (6.25mcg) 9 hours before.

Vitamin results are attached - hope this is clear enough? Folate and b12 were quite low on last test, but have come up with extra supplemenation (400mg folate daily, 3000mcg B12 drops, plus 1 Thorne basic B)

Iron seems to continue to be low but not low enough for the NHS to treat. I take 2 x Thorne Iron Bisglycinate 25mg on alternate days. Will attach pic of my iron results too - I think they indicate I haven't really got scope for extra iron despite having low ferratin levels.

I'm sure iron is playing a part in the low energy/tiredness, but as per original post, I'm wondering if a small increase in levo will help symptoms too.

Hope this helps... appreciate your comments x

Vitamin results

[Molly161018 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Iron results attached

Iron results

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Molly161018]

So these iron results point towards having high end iron and no room for a supplement.

Serum iron is high in range.

Transferrin Saturation : Your result = approximately 100%+

• optimal is 35 to 45%

• higher end for men

Your Saturation is higher than optimal suggesting that your iron levels are too high.

If you are a meat eater then you could increase red meat in diet, also add chickn liver pate a few times a week and take vit C or drink orange juice.

Taking more iron as a supplement could make you unwell.

You could try a 12.5mcgs Levo increase and see how that helps symptoms.

Well done on raising B12 & folate.

[Molly161018 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you again Jaydee, seems like I have gone a bit overboard trying to raise my iron levels then...I will stop taking it now. What does the low ferratin result mean then?

I will try increasing levo and hopefully will help me feel better. Presume you're suggesting 12.5mcg per day?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Molly161018]

As I said in my comment, 12.5mcgs a day.

[Molly161018 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks for confirming

[humanbean]

Your ferritin is low in range, your serum iron is high in range and your transferrin saturation is over the range. You should stop taking iron for now (just temporarily) because the likelihood is that your ferritin won't rise and your serum iron will continue to rise. This isn't a good result.

What supplements are you taking which contain folate and B12?

And what kind of folate and B12 are you taking? I see that you are taking Thorne Basic B but what are the extras you are taking?

[Molly161018 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you humanbean I will certainly stop the iron supplement for now, thank you...such a minefield I can't seem to get my fuzzy brain around it even though I have made notes from previous advice received here...

Re vitamins I take Jarrow methyl folate and nature provides bioactive B12 drops.

Hope that helps?