Flare up and test results. Help, please!

[Lotsothyroidqustions]

Hi Everyone,

I have Hashimoto’s disease and am currently on 150mcg Levothyroxine (Eltroxin). For the last year I have always have the same brand and since on this dosage I have been feeling well. I have also been taking 4000iud per day of Vitamin D spray for the last 9 months due to previously low Vitamin D and until recently I was also taking B12 spray (I ran out about a month ago and haven’t bought more).

For the last six weeks or so symptoms have returned, most notably fatigue and body aches, especially in my hands and wrists.

I have also just been diagnosed with diverticular disease which is causing pain and am trying to care for my elderly mother who lives in another country and has been very unwell recently, as well as taking care of my own young children and working a full time job.

Because of the recent symptoms I did the Advanced Thyroid Function Blood Test via Medichecks on Monday. I did it at 7am, before taking my Levothyroxine or eating and drinking other than water.

My results are below including ranges. In summary, low TSH, low folate, very high thyroglobulin antibodies. Everything else is ok.

Could any of this be causing my symptoms? Do I need to make an appointment with the GP? What should I tell them/ ask for? Feeling rubbish so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Results:

Inflammation CRP HS < 3 R

Range <0.15mg/L

Iron status

86ug/L.

Range 30 - 207

Ferritin

86ug/L 30 - 207 R

Folate

5.9 nmol/L

Range > 7 R

Vitamin B12

71.7pmol/L

Range > 37.5

Folate - serum

5.9nmol/L

Range > 7

Vitamin B12 - active

71.7pmol/L

Range > 37.5

Vitamin D

76nmol/L

Range 50 - 250 R

TSH

0.218mIU/L

Range 0.27 - 4.2 R

Free T3

5pmol/L

Range 3.1 - 6.8

Free thyroxine

21.1pmol/L

Range 12 - 22

Thyroglobulin antibodies

405kIU/L

Range 0 - 115 R

Thyroid perioxidase antibodies

14.1kIU/L

Range 0 -

[greygoose]

Have you been taking magnesium with your vit D? The two work together so taking vit D without magnesium will just deplete your magnesium and make you feel bad.

Were you taking a B complex with your B12? The Bs all work together and need to be kept balanced. Just taking one or two B vits in isolation won't do you much good. And your B12 and folate are both pretty low.

Inflammation CRP HS < 3 R

Range <0.15mg/L

This doesn't make sense. If your CRP is supposed to be less than 0.15, they wouldn't put the result as less than 3, they would either put >3 (more than 3) or they would give the exact number.

But, if your CRP is more than 3, then your ferritin will be lower than 86, because high CRP gives you a false 'high' ferritin - which, at 86 is quite low, anyway, in that range. So, your ferritin is not OK, and that will cause symptoms such as fatigue.

FT3: 5 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8) 51.35%

This is probably too low for you. Most hypos need their FT3 up around 70% through the range.

So, quite a few things there that could be causing your symptoms.

[Lotsothyroidqustions in reply to greygoose]

Hi greygoose

Many thanks for your reply, I really appreciate it.

No I have not been taking magnesium with the vitamin D. Is there any particular brand or dosage you would recommend?

I have taken a B complex at times but not always so I will make sure the next one I buy is the B complex.

On the CRP, sorry that copied over backwards. My results was less than 0.15 and the range was less than 3.

Interesting on the FT3: 5 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8) 51.35%. What would be the best way to increase this?

The Medichecks doctor that reviewed my results said the following regarding my TSH which was TSH 0.218mIU/L with a range of 0.27 - 4.2 R:

“Your thyroid stimulating hormone is now low. This suggests that your thyroid is currently overactive andshould be discussed with your usual doctor/ NHS GP today.This can cause symptoms of weight loss, agitation, anxiety, dry skin and thinning hair. Symptoms that cause concern include palpitations, breathlessness and chest pain, if you are experiencing these then you should attend your nearest Accident and Emergency Department.”

Is this correct? Should I be worried?

Thanks!

[greygoose in reply to Lotsothyroidqustions]

No I have not been taking magnesium with the vitamin D. Is there any particular brand or dosage you would recommend?

No, I've found brands to all be much of a muchness. But what is important is choosing the right type of magnesium for what you want it to do. Have a look at this article:

healthline.com/nutrition/ma...

The usual dose is around 300 to 450 mg, just take one tablet a day. But it must be four hours away from thyroid hormone.

I have taken a B complex at times but not always so I will make sure the next one I buy is the B complex.

Make sure it contains methylcobalamin and methylfolate, not cyanocobalamin and folic acid.

I have taken a B complex at times but not always so I will make sure the next one I buy is the B complex.

Yes, that's what I thought had happened. Your ferritin is still low, though. Try increasing iron-rich foods in your diet, with vit C.

Interesting on the FT3: 5 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8) 51.35%. What would be the best way to increase this?

Not a lot you can do, except make sure all your nutrients are optimal. In an ideal world you would be prescribed T3 along with your T4 (levo), but this world is far from ideal and doctors do not like prescribing T3.

Is this correct? Should I be worried?

You should not be worried by a low TSH when on thyroid hormone replacement, no. One thing that you have to understand is that the doctors that make these comments are not thyroid specialists. They are just common or garden GPs with little training in the subject and the usual standard of low understanding of how it all works. Your TSH is low because you are taking thyroid hormone replacement and your FT4 is high because you are a poor converter. And the fact that you are taking thyroid hormone replacement means that you are hypo - otherwise you wouldn't be taking it! - so it is physically impossible for you to become hyper (overactive). Quite why they don't understand this, I don't know, but it is absolutely not correct. Just ignore that comment and the TSH.

[Lotsothyroidqustions]

Thank you very much, all super helpful information ☺️