Better levels, still feeling rotten

[dhill42598]

Why do I still feel so tired, have such dry & itchy skin, body temperature regulation is worse, and my hair is falling out worse than ever?!  My levels look better in just a month on generic Synthroid at:

TSH 2.02 (0.45-4.5 uIU/mL)
Free T3: 3.1 (2.0-4.4 pg/mL)
Free T4: 1.28 (0.82-1.77 ug/dL)

Previous labs were:
TSH 7.31 (0.45-4.5 uIU/mL)
Free T3: 2.6 (2.0-4.4 pg/mL)
Free T4: 1.11 (0.82-1.77 ug/dL)
D3: 36.7 (30-100 ng/mL)
B12: 554 (211-946 pg/mL)
TPO: 21 (0-24 IU/mL) - Neg
TG: <1 (0-0.9 ) Neg
Parathyroid: 22 (15-65 pg/mL)

I guess my next step is to check ferritin?   Any other advice? Please help!!!

Thanks so much!

[gimel]

The best supplements for ferritin (iron) are ferrous fumarate, ferrous biglycinate, ferrous sulfate, and ferrous glutamate.  If you are going to be tested for ferritin next week, I would not start on a iron supplement before blood draw.   Best to stay off iron supplements for 4-5 days in order to prevent a false high test result.

[dhill42598]

Thanks so much gimel, this is very helpful!   I had been taking 5,000IU D3/day for the past year and that was my level so I upped that to 10,000IU/day and I have also started B12 since that draw. I go back to the Dr. next week to discuss my labs and dosage and will request a ferritin test.  

In your experience, if ferritin is low what is the best way to supplement for that? Is standard slow release iron sufficient?

[gimel]

Even though improved, your current labs are still not optimal for many people.  Many members say that symptom relief required Free T3 in the upper part of its range and Free T4 at the middle of its range, at minimum.  So your thyroid med dosage needs to be increased.  Also, changes in symptoms tends to lag somewhat behind changes in serum levels of thyroid hormone.  So, one month is not long enough for you to get the full effect of the changes in serum levels.  Your body has to heal and get better with the increased thyroid hormone.

In addition, your D3 is too low.  Recommended to be about 55-60.  Your B12 is too low.  Recommended to be in the upper end of its range, say 850.  And you don't know your ferritin level, which is very important because low levels can cause symptoms as well as adversely affect metabolism of thyroid hormone.  Ferritin should be at least 60.