Blood results

[jodes86baldwin]

Just a update on my GP blood results. If anyone would mind helping me understand them please. T3 & T4 not tested will be tested in the new year privately.

Will post in comments as can't post more than one pic

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

You've only posted TSH result so far and as its 3 it looks like you need an increase. You havent said what you're taking or how you feel?

[jodes86baldwin in reply to Jaydee1507]

I couldn't post the rest not sure why. I take 150 levothyroxine.

Feel okay just had a lot of weight gain.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to jodes86baldwin]

As you probably know theres not too much we can understand from just a TSH result. Its a high result though if you're on 150mcg Levo.

Recommend you check how you're taking it as Levo is an extremely fussy hormone and if not taken correctly then absorption issues can happen.

Always take Levo on an empty stomach an hour away from food or caffeine containing drinks & other meds. Many people find taking it at bedtime works well for them.

[jodes86baldwin in reply to Jaydee1507]

I take it every morning with water. Don't have breakfast so first meal is always lunchtime. I was on 175 then it got lowered due to having heart palpitations I will ask for increase again.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to jodes86baldwin]

Do you leave an hour after taking Levo before drinking anything other than water? It can make a huge difference to absorption, test results and most importantly how you feel. Caffeine containing drinks are the worst.

[jodes86baldwin in reply to Jaydee1507]

Yes I do I also only drink decaf

[jodes86baldwin in reply to Jaydee1507]

Lft

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[jodes86baldwin in reply to jodes86baldwin]

Serum

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[jodes86baldwin in reply to jodes86baldwin]

A1c

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[jodes86baldwin in reply to jodes86baldwin]

..

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[jodes86baldwin in reply to jodes86baldwin]

..

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[Buddy195 Administrator]

TSH should always be under 2. Most members report feeling best when TSH is under 1, so likely you need an increase in Levothyroxine. How long have you been taking 150mcg? Can you share FT3 and FT4 (if available)

[jodes86baldwin in reply to Buddy195]

In post it states t3 and t4 not done gp wouldn't request it. May as well hit my head on a brick wall when I request it. I should take 175 but I lowered it due to heart palpitations. I will increase again

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to jodes86baldwin]

Have you also tested vitamins fairly recently? Low iron or ferritin can cause palps.

[jodes86baldwin in reply to Jaydee1507]

Yes they all ok

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to jodes86baldwin]

So what were the results exactly, with reference ranges.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to jodes86baldwin]

I need to increase Levo super slowly as I also experience palpitations otherwise. Try increasing by 12.5mcg instead of the full 25mcg as a first step.

[jodes86baldwin in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you I'll try that x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Try increasing Levo to 162.5mcg

150mcg plus half a 25mcg

Or 150mcg and 175mcg on alternate days

Retest full thyroid and vitamin levels in 6-8 weeks

Exactly what vitamin supplements are you taking

Seem to remember you are on dairy free diet ?

Are you on lactose free levothyroxine

Vencamil is lactose free and mannitol free. originally only available as 100mcg only, but 25mcg, 50mcg and 75mcg tablets became available Sept 2024

Prior to March 2023 Vencamil was called Aristo

Vencamil often very well tolerated/best option for many people

How to get Vencamil stocked at your local pharmacy

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Posts discussing Vencamil

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

TSH should be under 2 as an absolute maximum when on levothyroxine

gponline.com/endocrinology-...

Graph showing median TSH in healthy population is 1-1.5

web.archive.org/web/2004060...

Comprehensive list of references for needing LOW TSH on levothyroxine

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

If symptoms of hypothyroidism persist despite normalisation of TSH, the dose of levothyroxine can be titrated further to place the TSH in the lower part of the reference range or even slightly below (i.e., TSH: 0.1–2.0 mU/L), but avoiding TSH < 0.1 mU/L. Use of alternate day dosing of different levothyroxine strengths may be needed to achieve this (e.g., 100 mcg for 4 days; 125 mcg for 3 days weekly).

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

The optimal daily dose in overt hypothyroidism is 1·5–1·8 μg per kg of bodyweight, rounded to the nearest 25 μg.

How much do you weigh in kilo approximately