For the last two years I have been struggling with chronic fatigue since having Covid. I have had loads of blood tests done, they found I had iron deficiency anaemia which was treated, low B12 which I’m on injections for, and non alcoholic liver disease.
My recent thyroid tests are:
TSH 2.08 (0.27-4.20)
T4 19.6 (12.0-22.0)
Peroxidase Antibodies 8 (Below 35)
I just wondered if there was anything else that I should be pursuing/asking for with regards to the thyroid tests or whether because they’re all looking in range we can rule out any thyroid issues contributing to my fatigue? I have a phone call appointment with a GP in 3 weeks so wanted to make the most of the appointment and make sure I’m asking the right questions!
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What time of day did you take this test please? Highest TSH is at 9am or earlier.
Your FT4 looks pretty good at 76% of range which is often the sort of level that many aim for on replacement hormone.
Did you retest after the iron supplements? Often GPs are happy with a result just within the range but to feel well we need it high in range.
Are you also taking a good methyl B complex and supplementing vit D? B12 has cofactors that it needs to work properly.
What were your other vitamin results?
You have a negative TPO result but privately you can test Tg antibodies.
I see you have posted on the PA group about frequency of B12 injections. GPs often only offer 3 monthly injections but many people do need them more often to feel well.
Thank you, that’s so useful to know. My appointment was 9am but my surgery had an IT failure so it was nearer to 10am when I actually had the test done.
Yes I’ve had it retested several times since and my last ferritin was 47. My haemoglobin is at the top end of the range so my GP said to stop the iron tablets, however my mean cell volume is a little on the low side still.
What is this methyl B complex? I’ll need to look in to this! I’ve had low vitamin D in the past however it was treated and sorted, my last result of this last January was fine but maybe I should look into supplementing this.
Thank you, I think I’ll be pushing for more regular injections to see if that will help me. Thank you for your info and reply, it’s such a mind field trying to figure out what it is that is actually causing the fatigue and what I need to be pushing for and what I can try to help so all suggestions and advice are much appreciated!
At the moment, although your TSH is 2, certainly noone would think about treating you and I wouldnt be too suspicious that you have a thyroid issue. Thats not to say that things might change over time though, and we havent seen your Tg antibodies.
Unless you're supplementing vit D continuously your level will always fall back to where it started over time, so a supplement is required.
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. Most people need a minimum of 3,000iu per day. grassrootshealth.net/projec...
A B complex contains folate and all the other B vitamins that B12 needs to work with. It will help your B12 work as well as it can. There are different types of B vitamin. Some your body needs to convert into something else before it can use it, the methyl type is already active and the easiest for your body to use.
B complex suggestions: Slightly cheaper options with inactive B6:
Has GP tested you for coeliac? This can often cause vitamin deficiencies and should be ruled out.
Do you eat red meat?
Ferritin should be around 90 - 100 for best use of thyroid hormone. Suggest increasing iron rich foods in diet and eating them often. Chicken livers, pate, red meat etc
I'll include this link for a product many find useful for raising ferritin. Really you should do a full iron panel to be sure you have room for a supplement as its possible to have too much and caution is needed.
Yes I do eat meat and I’ve been consciously making sure I’m getting as much iron into my diet. I will ask for an iron panel, if I can’t I’ll look into doing it privately.
Yes, I’ve been tested for coeliacs and it came back normal.
Hi, i wouldn't say you can rule out thyroid full stop, but until tsh increases or ft4 drops no one will take it on. I've had fatty liver disease. I likely had it before I was diagnosed with thyroid issues as I was already showing raised ALT'S. It took years to get diagnosed with thyroid issues!
I feel that the fatty liver played a part in all my iffy bloods, high/ low cholesterols, high crp, low folate, low GFR and likely insulin resistant.
This last 2.5 years my ALT'S have been coming down and been in range for over a year.
All my bloods are normal now and very slowly I've been able to lose weight over the last 2 years.
This has been through a diet of increasing calories, high protein, healthy fats and carbs, plenty of water, exercise of weight training and walking and minimal alcohol. I'm building up my fitness very slowly as i wasn't fit and didn't have much energy.
I can't say 100% I've reversed the fatty liver without another ultrasound or fibro scan but my endo thinks I have. My health is so much better due to these changes.
There is a connection between having fatty liver and thyroid issues and you already have b12 deficiency. If you're already doing everything lifestyle wise, and still your liver enzymes are not coming down then I would keep testing your thyroid privately to see if your tsh is increasing and ft4, ft3 decreasing.
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