Not looking good overall, I think the worst I've had so far
TSH 5.71 (0.3 - 5.0)
T4 10.2 (7.9 -16.0)
Ferritin 116ng/ml (15.0 - 300.0)
Folate 5.2ug/l (2.5 - 9999.0)
VitD 82mm (50 -150)
B12 464 (120 - 900)
I do supplement VitD + K2 due to a diagnosed deficiency
I was taking B12 time release, someone on here suggested my stomach may not absorb it properly
My cholesterol climbed up too to 6.5 it's always around just over 5 and my glucose levels rose again to the highest ever, so not proud of myself. Although did read somewhere that thyroid can affect both of these. I am not moving around as much cause I'm very tired and lethargic. I know I have gained weight also this year, so overall not good.
Advised to see nurse, so will ring tomorrow and request a print out, as I have gotten this info from nhs app.
Would appreciate any feedback, and advice. Thank you
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CustardTarts
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Suggest you change the B12 and add separate vitamin B complex
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement
A week later add a separate vitamin B Complex
Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week
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
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
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) and continue separate B12
I think you can make a good case for requesting a retest that includes T3. Given your cholesterol is highish and it's a known issue with hypothyroidism. T3 also an essential player in heart health, so you could make the case that with high cholesterol and ongoing importance of heart health a pattern of T3 needs to be factored in. I did this recently with our GP and was successful.
I didn't think to ask for T3, but will do, I feel I keep getting fobbed of with 'everything fine no further action'. I was just reading about cholesterol and thyroid, thats interesting, also that thyroid can affect glucose levels. Given that I was diagnose type2 2 years ago, so only on diet at the mo. I have put on a lot of weight this year too. So much so I'm scared to weigh myself, just know from my clothes.
So by no further action for my thyroid the Dr could have contributed to my diabetes and my cholesterol too. Also interesting you mention heart health, out of the blue I needed a pacemaker about 18month ago, due to a left bundle block, whatever that is. Up until then I had had no heart issues. So again by not taking note of the thyroid failing, the Dr has potentially put me in this position. My thyroid was just under 3 ten years ago and its only cause I have been getting my bloods printed out, that I could see the gradual rise in my TSH to now 5.7 I appreciate they have guidelines to follow, but when the main thing I kept going to the Drs with was extreme fatigue for the past few years
Sounds like you've fallen through the "normal range" gap. Apparently (and others on the forum are more knowledgeable than I am on this) loads of people suffer typical symptoms of hypothyroidism yet their tests don't quite show it. I reckon I was at subclinical level for about 10 years before treatment. It was my heart arrhythmia nurse who told me I should get I treated and my cardiologist sent a directive to our GP.
Yes! Actually I had to titrate upwards very very slowly as the levothyroxine caused my heart to race and sometimes triggered arrhythmia. But it settled down quite well eventually. I do notice however that if my TSH increases I'm likely to get incidents of hear arrhythmia. My system prefers to be around 1.00 for my TSH levels
Thyroid hormones are the key to many metabolic processes such as glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism and protein metabolism. When you have a lack of thyroid hormones (especially T3, which is the active hormone), your metabolism is slowed down, as your body lacks the 'fuel' (e.g., thyroid hormone) to process glucose and lipids. As a result, your levels will rise. This is a metabolic problem and cannot be solved by diet and should be addressed by adding thyroid medication.
I know that these days they do not want to start treatment until the TSH reaches 10 or above, however they CAN start treatment if the patient is symptomatic, which you clearly are. And weight gain, extreme fatigue but especially elevated cholesterol and glucose levels are classical symptoms and signs of a failing thyroid and so would warrant treatment.
Even the NHS lists these symptoms as signs of an underactive thyroid, such as cholesterol and heart problems, hence they should act on it.
Could you perhaps do a private test where you also check T4 and T3? If you include thyroid antibodies as well, it might give you a bit more ammunition in case they are elevated? I suspect that your T3 will be very low and this is what is causing all your symptoms.
Thank you. I asked for anti body test and was refused. T4 was tested, but not T3. I agree this is highly likely the cause of my lack of anything, just could curl up and go to sleep. Everything is an effort.
I have appt with the nurse re my annual diabetes check shortly, so will sound her out. Meanwhile I'm thinking of upping my intake of vitamins etc as suggested here. I had a deficiency of vitD at one point so have been taking that daily, thinking I might need to take it as sublingual to get the most out of the dose. I take 4000iu + K2. I went from under 30 to 82. Gotta sort out the magnesium and the B complex. I can only take in so much info at a time. Thank you for the link, I'll go and have a look
Which B12 slow release supplement were you taking? Probably a good methyl B complex would be better as your B12 level is currently too low as is your folate.
If this is the second TSH above range you have had then GP should begin to treat. See NICE guidelines: nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145
Ferritin is good but have you had a full iron pnel run? Suggest you do, ask nurse or GP. Post results when you have them.
The H&B B12 is the inactive form of B12. better to use methyl B12 which is already converted ready for your body to use. Also, a sublingual or mouth spray would likely improve absorption such as one of these:
Optimal ferritin is said to be 90-100. So you need to check serum iron and a full iron panel to make sure that is at a good level. Its possible to have good ferritin & low iron and vice versa.
Ask nurse to repeat your thyroid test in 3-4 months time if they are not planning starting treatment now. Be sure to follow the blood test protocol.
Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process).
Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone and highest TSH which varies throughout the day.
Thank you, I find it all so confusing, but am understanding bit by bit. I just want to feel good again and have some energy as opposed to no energy.
Was reading somewhere how germany treats when TSH reaches 3. Maybe I was reading it wrong? In that case I might have avoided all this if supported sooner.
NHS rarely see the need to test fT3 in hypothyroid patients. although some folk are lucky and may get it done by NHS occasionally ,,, i've had 5 fT3 results on NHS in over 20 yrs of being on levo, usually they just do my TSH / fT4 .
they don't even always test fT4 ...... it's becoming common for them to just test TSH .
So yes it's (unfortunately) normal.
Most people on here get TSH / fT4 / fT3 tested privately if they want to know what their fT4 and fT3 are doing .
it's much easier to understand what is going on if you have TSH + fT4 + fT3 to look at.
Looking at TSH on it's own can sometimes be very unreliable/ misleading .... fT4 gives more info , but without knowing the fT3 you still don't get the full picture , so when having problems it's always wiser to have the full picture if you can get it.
Many NHS labs have a money saving policy where they won't test fT3 even if the GP requests it . Some will only test TSH at first, then test fT4 if TSH is out of range , and only then test fT3 if fT4 is way too high.
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Blood results
Blood results - well the "wonky" ones anyway.
Results In !! 150mcgs to 175mcgs Levo
new BH results
Vit D and Calcium blood results, advice please
