I’ve been hypo since 2002 and generally felt good recently I’ve been feeling more tired, put on weight, my memory is shot and feel like I have an IBS reaction to so many foods
After getting advice on here, I’ve recently had a blood test to check my thyroid, iron, B12 etc. which…have come back ‘normal’ (yes I know, what is normal?) I stopped all my supplements in advance - Iron & B complex, D3 & K2 7 days in advance I’m on HRT and didn’t stop that
They tested my FT4 but not FT3, iron & B12 levels and the usual TSH and I also got an antibody test for Hashimotos which I don’t know how to interpret so could do with some help.
For completeness I’ve put the results here, which I’m not sure how to interpret other than they look ok?
What thyroid hormone replacement are you on, and how long have you been on that dosing?
If you are supplementing iron, you need regular full iron panels done.
Excess iron is toxic and causes permanent damage to your organs and tissues.
Your ferritin is very low. But it’s possible to have high iron and low ferritin, so an iron panel is needed so you can continue supplementing safely.
Others will be along with more methodical responses on your thyroid (you need a FT3 when getting the others to get a complete picture of your thyroid health, so may consider getting a private test.) Have you ever had a TGab in addition to the TPOab you have? And your Bs aren’t terrible, but lower than we’d like to see - b12 upwards of 500 and folate top of range at 20.
thank you for replying so quickly - I’ve been on Levo 125mg for about 20 years which was reduced to 100mg about 14 months ago. This was based on my TSH being too high - it was checked and rechecked over about 9 months and remained high and I also began to lose weight.
Since the reduced dose, the tiredness and weight gain has come but I’ve only really woken up to the importance of FT3 & FT4 in recent months thanks to this forum.
Yep - it is perplexing! They seem so resistant to a patient advocating for themselves, it’s the same with HRT
I felt really good but was also often dizzy with some heart palpitations so it wasn’t all rosy.
I still feel dizzy sometimes now but the heart palpitations have stopped. It’s just really hard to know what is the right balance without having all the facts.
I’ve been on Levo 125mg for about 20 years which was reduced to 100mg about 14 months ago. This was based on my TSH being too high - it was checked and rechecked over about 9 months and remained high and I also began to lose weight.
You probably meant TSH was too LOW
When taking too much levothyroxine TSH drops low and Ft4 is high
HOWEVER dose levothyroxine should never be adjusted just looking at TSH and Ft4
ESSENTIAL to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together and maintain GOOD vitamin levels
For conversion of Ft4 to Ft3 you need good vitamin levels too NHS, especially ferritin
If vitamin levels are low this results in high Ft4, low TSH…..but low Ft3
So you feel hyper with too much Ft4 but remain hypo with low Ft3
Thyroid antibodies
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)
NHS only tests TG antibodies if TPO are high
20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis
Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins
Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Vitamin levels
I stopped all my supplements in advance - Iron & B complex, D3 & K2 7 days in advance
Your ferritin is terrible/deficient at 30
Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing.
It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron
Test early morning, only water to drink between waking and test. Avoid high iron rich dinner night before test
If taking any iron supplements stop 2-3 days before testing
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement as well as 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
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 if last test result serum B12 was below 500 or active B12 (private test) under 70
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Help with results please. always tired and feel like s**t feel depressed and getting worst
Advice please on latest Test Results
Back with test results, please advise!
Help with test results please
