A: Your TSH was 5.1, which is considered subclinical hypothyroidism. The thyroid antibodies were pretty high, in the 1400 range. B12 was 340. I like to see B12 levels around 800. You can be very symptomatic with a B12 level of about 300. I would definitely recommend either sublingual B12 drops or B12 injections, which you can get from your doctor.
Ferritin was 15. At that rate, I would also recommend taking supplements for it.
I have an article on low ferritin, which you may find helpful.. Some of the things you may want to do include:
Making sure you have enough hydrochloric acid for proper digestion.
Eating iron-rich foods. Red meat is a good example.
Possibly considering some iron supplements, such as:
Lactoferrin or
OptiFerin-C by Pure Encapsulations, which I've sometimes used.
Some people benefit from iron infusions, especially women with very heavy menses, or who have recently given birth, or are pregnant, or breastfeeding, or have other reasons related to medications that cause them to lose blood.
If your TSH is around 5, it is considered a gray area for treating hypothyroidism. However, there are a few things you can do, if you have not tried them already:
Selenium, anywhere from 66 micrograms to 200 micrograms, combined with myo-inositol, 600 mg per day, which we've been doing in this program. This can help normalize the TSH.
When they’re in subclinical hypothyroidism, some people benefit from a low iodine diet. Dr. Alan Christianson has a book on this topic. Following this diet in the very early stages may help normalize hypothyroidism.
Another thing is taking a low dose of thyroid hormone, such as a natural desiccated thyroid, like Armour or Tirosint, which is one of my favorite ones in the United States.
Those are some options to consider if you’re symptomatic. The thyroid hormone can help the symptoms and can slow the progression of the thyroid condition.
There are also some herbal therapies, such as ashwagandha, which can potentially help normalize a slightly elevated TSH. You're already taking it in the adrenal program.
I would recommend re-testing your TSH after you finish the Adrenal Transformation Program, just because sometimes with myo-inositol, ashwagandha and balancing the adrenals the thyroid function could normalize. I can't say this is going to be a definite outcome for everybody. I generally tell people with subclinical hypothyroidism who do not want to go on medication, to give it about three months of lifestyle changes and then reconsider. If they're still not feeling a hundred percent well after three months, then I would consider starting a low dose of the thyroid hormones.