Help! I'm flagging...

Hello, Does any one have any suggestions on how to increase my energy levels? I am taking 100 of Levo and it just doesn't touch the tiredness. I despair at going back to my GP as my levels appear within the normal levels and feel like I'm banging my head against the wall when trying to get a referral back to my local hospital.

Failing that, is there anyone out there who could recommend a private consultant or other specialist that I could get in touch with to support this? I live in North London close to the West End. Thanks x

[greygoose]

Can you post your blood test results here, Baxter? Because what doctors think is normal often isn't for you.

Hug, Grey

[Piedo]

I know exactly how you feel. could it be like me that your thyroxine level shows normal but you have a low T3 level?

[Hidden]

Serum TSH level. 0.50mU/L (0.30-4.20U/L)

Serum free T4 level 17.0 pmol/L (12.00 - 22.00pmol/L)

These were my March results. I am due to visit my GP again in a week or so. Would love to be armed with something to back me up. Thanks for the replies.

[Hidden]

On the face of it TSH and T4 look okay but as Piedo says it is your T3 that matters. T3 is the active hormone and is converted by the body from T4. T4 is not always a good indicator. If your GP/PCT are anything like mine they won't test T3 you would need to have the test done privately. If your T3 is low there may be several reasons why T4 is not converting properly to the active hormone, one of which could be low levels of essential vitamins/minerals which are needed to aid the conversion or low adrenal reserve. I am not medically qualified but I am in the same situation as you and what I found difficult was how to proceed. I started with having an adrenal stress profile done (saliva) because low adrenal reserve can affect energy. I am just about to embark on a blood test for B12, folate, Vitamin D3, magnesium, ferritin/iron and copper/zinc. Watch this space..

Hope this helps in some way

Jan

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Jan, I feel my better now armed with your info.

[Zabby in reply to Hidden]

You can do the test in the privacy of your own home if you order this kit: homebloodtest.co.uk/shop/ar...

[Zabby in reply to Hidden]

Oh, and I've read on here that you should try to do the test early in the morning because that's when your TSH is at it's highest, and don't take your levothyroxine tablet until AFTER you've done it. Good luck!

[celticlady]

Try a selenium supplement-take at end of evening -I find this increases my energy levels and it helps convert t3 to t4.

[foxglove in reply to celticlady]

Sorry, shouldn't that be T4 to T3?

[celticlady in reply to foxglove]

Yes-always get confused!

[Hidden]

Thanks everyone, as usual better than the GP!