Test Results

[Molly139]

Good morning, could I get your opinions on these results please. I have an under active thyroid diagnosed 25 years ago. I’ve been on 100mcg of levothyroxine for a few years now. Gluten and dairy free for over 7 years but I have recently been having small amounts down to convenience as I have undergone surgery and struggle to get to the shops.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Was test early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Which brand

What vitamin supplements are you taking

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

[Molly139 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes to testing criteria.

Yes to the brand and it’s Teva

Vitamin D3 1,000iu

Vitamin K2-mk7 100mcg

GP tested last year and all were ok. I can’t find the results at the moment

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Molly139]

Ft4 over range

Free T3 (fT3) 4.26 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8)

Ft3 only  31.4% through range

So currently poor conversion

anaesthetic can significantly lower B12

Suggest you retest vitamin levels at next test

Meanwhile perhaps start taking a daily vitamin B complex

one with folate in (not folic acid)

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too

Difference between folate and folic acid

healthline.com/nutrition/fo...

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Igennus B complex popular option. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose and may need separate methyl folate couple times a week

Post discussing different B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) Thorne can be difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg)

Post discussing how biotin can affect test results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[Molly139 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon, I’ll get more tests done. In the meantime I’ll read up on how optimal levels of vitamins etc improve conversion. If you have any links that would be helpful. Thank you

[Molly139 in reply to SlowDragon]

Please can you confirm the formula used to get 31.4% conversion rate. From my previous posts here’s what I was advised: To work out conversion rate of T4 to T3, as long as the unit of measurement is the same you divide the FT4 result by the FT3 result. Good conversion is said to take place when the ratio is 4:1 or less, over 4:1 suggests poor conversion.

Using this formula the conversion rate is 5.25 which also indicates poor conversion