Help interpreting thyroid test results

[Bunny10]

Hi. I recently had thyroid blood tests done via the NHS but I have so much brain fog I can't make head nor tail of them. My GP thinks they're a bit odd but puts it down to me taking Metavive (advised by Dr. Sarah Myhill a couple of years ago). Plus, she says I'm within the NHS range anyway so they won't help me to optimise my health. The reason I got tests to check up is that I've been feeling lousy all year - palpitations, extra anxiety, depression, freezing feet (even on hot days), sudden weight gain, and my core temperature dropped from a steady 37 to 36.6. I take 2 x Metavive 2 and 1 x Metavive 1 per day.

TSH <0.02

Free T4 8.1

Free triiodothyronine 5

I have M.E. and visual impairment, so have awful brain fog, cognition and sight and am having trouble thinking straight enough/seeing well enough/having the energy to read/comprehend the thyroid books/podcasts etc.

Someone in a facebook group suggested I get urine tests done via Geneva labs to see if my body is using the thyroid hormones properly, but I don't have a doctor who will order them for me. Any suggestions welcome. I'm in Bath, UK.

Thank you

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey so far and be able to advise you better. Click on your image icon to start. Fill out the free text box at the top.

Metavive is a thyroid glandular with no declared thyroid hormone soits very difficult to advise when we dont know what we're working with.

Can you add reference ranges for each test? Numbers in brackets after your result. These vary between labs so are important to quote.

Your FT4 looks on the low side which doesn't suit everyone.

Its unlikely that your or any GP will treat you for hypothyroidism while your TSH is suppressed.

Have you tested key vitamin levels - ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Its essential to optimise these and they can be low or deficient in hypothyroidism due to poor gut function.

Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

There is also a new company offering walk in& mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

Have you tested thyroid antibodies TPO & Tg?

[pennyannie]

Hello Bunny and welcome to the forum ;

For someone taking a glandular thyroid hormone supplement these results are not unusual :

One's TSH will be low suppressed with a T3 ( triiodothyronine ) proportionately much higher in its range than the T4 - so it ' looks like ' your results may mirror this - but to be sure, we need the ranges, rather than guess.

Do you have any other bloods tests from when ' happy ' on Metavive and know where your T3 needs to sit for you to feel improved ?

The drop in body temperature is an obvious fact, as are these symptoms, that your metabolism has slowed and you are dealing with symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Are you diagnosed hypothyroid and couldn't get on with T4 - Levothyroxine and finding no help through your NHS primary care provider switched to doing your own thing purchasing Metavive ?

No thyroid hormone replacement, whether prescribed or purchased OTC works well if the core strength vitamins and minerals -

those of ferritin, folate. B12 and vitamin D - are not maintained at optimal levels -

so if you care to share, we can also advise where these co-factors need to sit within the ranges to support your thyroid and overall health and well being.

[Anthea55]

Metavive was recommended to me by Dr Peatfield. That was fine until they changed the ingredients 2 or 3 years ago. There was discussion on here and it seemed that some people found that it made no difference to them, but for others it made us ill. My weight shot up and I wasn't well.

I tried other options, but have ended up taking T4 +T3.