T3 trial continues

[Rambling9]

Hi there - here are my latest bloods - done fasting with no meds and before 9am - last dose of levo 24 hours before - last dose T3 12 hours before

I've worked hard at improving vitamins and minerals - still ferritin is a bit low but currently on a dose of iron tabs from GP so may improve by the end of that

Gluten free diet + non meat eater - do eat fish

Poor converter - DIO2 polymorphism

T4 is good and T3 middling - Current dose T4 alternate days of 150 and 175 -Current T3 20mcg morning and 10mcg late afternoon

Symptoms improved - ringing in ears much less although low mood and brain fog persist

Seeing private endo this week and wondering whether to ask for T4 to be increased to 175 every day

I'd be grateful for any thoughts

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Free T4 (fT4) 19.9 pmol/L (12 - 22) 79.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 5 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 51.4%

I doubt you need any more Levo, especially as you don't convert. generally speaking on combi treatment people need around 70% for both FT4 & FT3.

If anything you need to raise T3 slightly.

Ferritin isn't terrible, but could be higher for best use of thyroid hormone - around 100.

You might think about dropping D3 slightly as its possible to have too much. Vitamin D should be around 100 - 150.

Have you made any dietary changes to help mood? Possibly less processed foods, fewer carbs?

[Rambling9 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hi Jaydee - that's interesting re vitamin D - I guess I could take my current dose on alternate days and see how that pans out.

I'm a bit reluctant to increase T3 again - heart related reasons

Yes doing best to cut down on processed food / carbs - a bit of a long haul though!

Endo suggested last time I try LDN to ease the symptoms - any thoughts? I've done a quick search on here and get the impression that a lot of people have tried/ are taking it

Many thx

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Rambling9]

You might not know yourself if you get going with dietary changes. They can make all the difference.

If gluten free is helping its worth giving dairy free a go as well.

Omega 3 is also good for mood issues but takes many months to have effect.

LDN could be worth a shot for sure.

I think you're at the tweaking stage and there's more to thyroid treatment than just T4 & T3.

[Rambling9 in reply to Jaydee1507]

That's really helpful thank you!

[QUE6T-33 in reply to Jaydee1507]

What is LDN please ?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to QUE6T-33]

Low Dose Naltrexone

helvella - Abbreviations, Acronyms, Latin

A document containing a list of many of the abbreviations, acronyms and Latin terms you are likely to find when reading documents about thyroid.

dropbox.com/scl/fi/jks8k4c3...

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[QUE6T-33 in reply to helvella]

Thank you Helvella 🤗

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I would also suggest trialing dairy free

Which brand levothyroxine and which brand T3 are you taking

[Rambling9 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi Slowdragon, Accord for the 100 and the 50. Wockhardt for the 25. Thybon henning for the T3I can cut back on dairy for sure but not sure about cutting out completely. I use almond milk , but I've got onto kefir made with cow's milk...I've tried a range of other milks without success

[QUE6T-33]

Hi Rambling, thyroid results look ok. Can I ask what dose of iron are you taking & for how long ?

[Rambling9 in reply to QUE6T-33]

Hi 84 days of 210mg ferrous fumarate tablets. I drink a glass of orange juice with it and make sure it's at least 4 hours away from thyroid meds

[QUE6T-33 in reply to Rambling9]

Years ago I had very low Ferritin levels. First GP tried iron injections which didn’t do much. Then he prescribed tablets which I didn’t feel good on. Then a nutritionalist told me to try the natural Spatone. To my surprise, it did the trick.

[Rambling9 in reply to QUE6T-33]

My GP did a full blood panel before prescribing and I'll have a follow up when finished - it's bad to have too much iron.

[QUE6T-33 in reply to Rambling9]

Yep, it certainly is.