High MCV MCH Anyone else?

[FoxyTed]

Hi, I’m bit concerned, I had bloods taken privately last August just after having Covid in July.

Diagnosed hypo last month although low levels of T3 and T4 for 2 years and TSH was within range it varied from 3.22 to 2.79. Anti bodies ok.

Was started on levo but not converting. Started on NDT a month ago, felt a lift but down again this past week and no energy again, can this be a thing, how long roughly does armour take to really help? I am now on 1.5 grains 90mg.

My MCV was slightly above range in red and MCH at very top of range. I looked at what these high results can mean in the Medicheck’s info and it did mention hypothyroidism as one reason. My B12 has always been high but I always take a b complex and don’t want to stop and wait for months to test. The medichecks active b12 was top of range. I did read somewhere that this can be the case but still low as not in the cells due to absorption issues.

I’m confused, covid? Thyroid? B12? I have very little quality of life atm.

Many thanks for reading

[Jazzw]

What are your folate levels like? Large blood cells can be a result of either B12 deficiency or folate deficiency.

While you say you take a B complex, is it one that provides good amounts of all the Bs or one of those that just provides the RDA?

[FoxyTed in reply to Jazzw]

hi jazz, it’s a seeking health b12 50mcg and folate 400mcg. I was really low on folate 2021 but levels went up with supplementing etc . On that same test it was 23.1 range >7 by M checks. Active B12 was 150 range 37.5 to 187.5. I am on these constant as iv a feeling I don’t absorb easily. Just recently I done home test for stomach acid and it was zilch so I supp with hcl. I also take Vit d 4000 daily and it was 98.7 range 50-250.

Iron status all good.

Also…..MCHC below range.

Could all this be indicative of hypo?

Had leaky gut but worked on this and sibo - prob down to low stomach acid. Also low pancreatic enzymes. No parasites or h pylori.

Sorry for the essay and thank u!

[greygoose]

Am I getting this right?

You were diagnosed in January. And now you're on 1.5 grains, after having discarded levo, and it's only mid-February?

Aren't you going a little fast? Or am I missing something?

[healthkiwi]

Hi. From looking at your bio, your 1st tests in 2024 showed TSH normal but T4 below range. Looks like eventually you went onto 50 mcg Levo. Did anyone discuss Central Hypothyroidism with you? Means that the TSH signal 'make more hormone' from the pituitary isn't actually getting through to the thyroid. Lots of potential causes. So it's crucial in that case to rely on T3 and T4 measurements when monitoring.

However on your question "how long roughly does Armour take to really help?" - NDT dosing is a process, like all thyroid hormone replacement. When you're on Levo or T3, you build up gradually to reach the right dose, waiting 6-8 weeks between each increase for things to settle, and then assess whether you've reached your sweet spot.

NDT is the same, like a dance. 1st step, increase, and a couple of weeks of "Phew/relief, or Wow, I feel good". Then a flat period, stalled "is this really working?" Then possibly a bad week or 2 of "I feel as rubbish as I did before."

Hold your nerve! This is a normal stage, can last a couple of weeks. At 6-8 weeks, reassess and see if you now feel ( and are testing) good, or maybe need a bit more. Then it’s time for the next SMALL increase. Repeat as required, may take a year or so to really feel well, but if you log all symptoms and changes, you'll be able to look back and notice your improvements.

Lack of proper amounts of thyroid hormone has affected every part, every organ, every system in your body, and the replacement has to trickle through every cell, and get things functioning well again. You have to think of your Armour/NDT as being like Heineken*, gently but thoroughly refreshing the parts other beers can not reach. 😉

*I hear other beers are available

[FoxyTed in reply to healthkiwi]

thank you so much Hkiwi, you put my mind at rest. I am with a good Thyroid doctor and started at 1 grain, waited 2 weeks then half which I am tolerating, iv to hold this and be tested as you have said at 6-8 weeks. All I needed was to know this can be normal/reassurance ….tk you x

[FoxyTed in reply to healthkiwi]

like the beer comparison, maybe need an iv drip, though I’d prefer melted chocolate 👍

[Stace268]

I had high MCV MCH I thought it was to do with higher risk of stroke and blood clotting both are within my family which made sense for me. When I lost a couple of stone as have obesity due to undiagnosed complications of hypothyroidism the MCV went back into range and I felt better with correct t thyroid replacement too. I also keep a check on vitamins vit D vit K, foliate, B12 and magnesium.

[FoxyTed in reply to Stace268]

Thank you Stace, that’s put my anx mind at rest. Think iv been undiagnosed and lacking for quite some time. Yes I will keep a check on those vitamins, I’m trying to heal bit by bit.

In the past bloods at docs - normal🤨 then when I asked about folate, yes it’s normal too only when I checked ranges it was at the very bottom, we have all had these experiences and I suppose in fairness there isn’t the resources to treat otherwise so we have to be our own Miss Marple🧐

[Stace268 in reply to FoxyTed]

Hypothyroidism is known to affect a lot of different areas of the body, I have high blood pressure for years and known family history of heart disease unfortunately. For me it is better to be aware than to risk not knowing and GPs do know the complications untreated thyroid abnormalities cause especially if been there many years which it does go unnoticed as B12 Biotin and other vitamins affect thyroid blood results. Doing your own research is always better as patients know best.