Finally reduced my TSH but...

[PoppyRose]

After almost 3 years of convincing my Surgery that I needed meds regulating and adjusting my TSH is finally low at 1.6 (0.30-6.00). Usually about 4.5.

Just got other results back (they didn't think to check) and they are T4 16.3 (10.4-24.5) and T3 5.1 (3.0-7.1).

So this looks OK to me, why don't I feel much different then? Hair loss, nails, weight etc... need much more time to tell any difference of course, but feeling cold and cold shivers getting less. Still extremely tired.

Should I now resign to low Oestrogen, and go on the HRT like suggested? Apparently it can 'turn me around' in 2 weeks! But - I'm still blessed with monthly cycles, no hot flushes or raised temperatures. ?? (they also suggested Fybromyalgia, Depression, CFS and Menopause!! but I refused as no symptoms and they wouldn't adjust the Levo from 50mcg for over 2 years!).

They have proved between a couple of GPs that they are not really knowledgeable about Thyroid so really scared which way to go!!

Thanks... it's never ending!

PRx

[helvella]

Because while TSH = 1.6 it still is not enough FT4 and FT3 for you? Both are mid-range and it is often repeated that many people only feel better towards the top of the ranges. And TSH can quite easily be lower - e.g. right down to 0.30 or even below.

That they kept you at around TSH = 4.5 shows how unfamiliar and incapable they are of managing thyroid issues - so don't accept where you now are as the end point.

I would also look at the issues we so often go on about:

vitamin B12

folates

iron/ferritin

vitamin D

All are so often low in people who are hypothyroid. Symptoms of being low in these can be so similar to some of those associated with hypothyroidism itself.

Rod

[PoppyRose in reply to helvella]

OK thanks Rod for your reply. I think (from memory only) that the other 4 issues you mention have been checked and are ok or being treated as with the Ferritin. Daily doses since last July when I suggested I might be low at 10.0 (10.4-24.4) !!

But will mention again.

"so don't accept where you now are as the end point" I was afraid of this, but will persevere and prob request an Endo next time round.

But when I collected the results they now have on record again...' Normal' .... for all! Which is why I posted on here.

Regards,

PR

[Hashi_since_age9-1988]

a TSH of 1.5 may be still on the high side. I have found 0.5 to be best so far. try a 12.5 - 25ug increase

[PoppyRose in reply to Hashi_since_age9-1988]

Hello and thank you.

To be honest I daren't try an increase unless I can blag it. They have really made it all very difficult over the past 3 years. Strict control over prescriptions. They were going to reduce me again because they felt if I didn't feel better then the extra dose wasn't needed. !!?? But I will def bear that in mind too.

Regards,

PR

[Hashi_since_age9-1988]

bear in mind that if you go on estrogen you will need your thyroxine increased as estrogen increases thyroxine binding globulin causing TT4 to increase, Ft4 to decrease and TSH to increase. Maybe the combination of estrogen plus extra T4 is what you need.

[PoppyRose in reply to Hashi_since_age9-1988]

Regarding the above and I hope you don't mind me asking but... since 2 months of the extra 25mcg (I know it's not much) it might be it's affected my monthly cycle. Up until this month I have been regular. ?? If I ask the GP's they will simply say it's been my lack of HRT all along!! When I am STILL feeling fine in that department.

PR

[Hashi_since_age9-1988 in reply to PoppyRose]

Thyroid levels can affect your periods. When the doctor increased my T3 from 10ug to 20ug (causing my TSH to go to 0.05) my periods went from being heavy and lasting 6 days to being light and only lasting 2 days. As my T4 was reduced to increase my TSH my periods very gradually started to last slightly longer/slightly heavier but they still aren't as they were before even although I have stopped the T3 totally now and am on thyroxine only. They maybe last 4-5 days but are generally pretty light the last few days.

[PoppyRose in reply to Hashi_since_age9-1988]

Thank you.

[PoppyRose]

Hello,

OK so this explains clearly the effect of Oestrogen on the function levels. Thanks for that. Like anything else I have read and re-read until I get confused again. I will make reference to this and give it some thought again as it has been difficult and stressful enough to get an extra 25 mcg out of them!

Regards,

PR