test results

[Topes009]

Hi all

recent test results are looking a little low:

Tsh 0.05

Free T4 (fT4) 11.1 pmol/L (8 - 18) 31.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 4.2 pmol/L (3.8 - 6) 18.2%

T4:T3 Ratio 2.643 

Ferritin 36 ug/L (30 - 100) 8.6%

Test was done 7 hours after dose of t3

Have appt with endo to discuss.

I tried recently to increase levo but suffered strong palpitations that scared me, I’m used to palpitations after all these years with hashis and low ferritin but these were different, I stoped taking the extra. I was adding 12.5 every 3rd day taking it to 87.5mcg with t3 10mcg daily.

Any thoughts on if the levels are ok or need tweaking? Suffering with tiredness and woolly headedness.

thanks

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

As you know these results are on the low side. So what are you doing to raise ferritin?

How are your other vitamin levels and what are you supplementing with?

[Topes009 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hi Jaydee

I’m taking iron a few times a week, as much as I can tolerate. (I’m a vegetarian).

I take multi b vitamins

Vitamin c

Vitamins d and k

And a multi mineral

And omega

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Topes009]

Many members do well with this form of heme iron:

threearrowsnutra.com/en-uk/...

Likely you will need to be taking something daily to raise your level and that product is usually well tolerated.

[Topes009 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Yes I have seen them and considered previously but they are animal products.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Topes009]

Some food sources of iron are mentioned here: vegsoc.org/eating-veggie/nu...

[Tina_Maria]

Your thyroid hormones look very much on the low side. I think you need further increases probably both T4 and T3 (but maybe not at the same time). Many people do feel well when their T4 and T3 are at least 60% through the range.

The palpitations can also be due to the low ferritin. Some people have said that if their ferritin is very low, they find it difficult to tolerate levothyroxine increases. Being vegetarian, it might be difficult with raising iron, as non heme iron is not that well absorbed as heme iron. You may also be deficient in Vitamin B12, which is also an important nutrient to make the most of any thyroid medication.

Do you take a multi vitamin or just a Vitamin B complex (with all the B-vitamins)? Multivitamins as such are not recommended, as some may contain iodine (which is not good for thyroid sufferers) and most will contain iron (the iron will reduce or block the absorption of other minerals and vitamins, hence iron should always be taken separately).

Do you take a magnesium supplement as well? This can help with energy levels too, but I think the most important thing for you is to get your nutrients higher quickly so you can increase your thyroid medication - as this will have the most impact on tiredness and wooly headedness.

[Topes009 in reply to Tina_Maria]

I take separate vitamins as am aware of the issues with multi vitamins.

I’ve always struggled with low iron even as a child unfortunately.

My B12 was deficient a couple of years ago when I had some other issues going on but had raised to a good level last time it was tested, the gp won’t test again but I will ask the endo if he will do it and vit d.

[Tina_Maria in reply to Topes009]

If you have chronically low iron, could you not ask for an iron infusion to raise your levels? It may then be easier to keep them up at a decent level? Just a thought.

I think it would be good to get B12 and Vitamin D tested again, so you know if you may need to increase your dose.

[Topes009 in reply to Tina_Maria]

I have asked about this before but they won’t do it with these levels, they wouldn’t when it was much lower.

I will have to try and take the iron more and manage the tummy effects.

Agree about b and d tests.

[Topes009]

Update on this.

Had the call with the endo. He thinks all is fine and is concerned with being able to measure the tsh as this has always been very low. He also thinks the ferritin is fine, because it was at 17 in 2023. He has agreed to test B12 and ferritin on next tests in 6 months but really isn’t interested.

He is the only endo I have seen in all these years who has given me T3 so for that I’m grateful but the rest is still hard to get through. I always get the feeling he is singularly uninterested in how I actually am as long as my numbers are ok. Same old really isn’t it.