What to do next? Vit B12 and Vit D levels now fine but FT3 remains stubbornly at bottom of range while FT4 above range.

[SnowdropB]

Originally I had an overactive thyroid. I had RI treatment nearly four years ago and think I no longer have an operating thyroid. Originally my results were very variable but they have settled down over the last couple of years with below range TSH, above range FT4 and FT3 at the bottom of the range. Having been following this wonderful site, I have been taking a B12 supplement (as my B12 was at the bottom of the normal range) and was prescribed a Vit D supplement earlier this year. I am currently on 110mg of levothyroxine per week ( 4 days of 100mg alternating with 3 days of 125mg) taken in the morning an hour before breakfast..

My symptoms are not nearly as serious as many I read about on this site so am wondering whether I should leave well alone or do something different. My symptoms are:

- tiredness which varies from very tired to fairly tired which sets in about 5.00pm

- eczema on my eyelids (for about 18 months)

- intrinsic rhinitis which started after a bad viral infection of the throat/ear earlier this year.

My results are as follows:

TSH 0.12 (0.2-4.2) (24 hours after last dose)

FT4 23.7 912-22) (")

FT3 4.0 (3.95 - 6.8) (")

B12 767 (107-866) (36 hours after last supplement)

Vit D3 75 (> 75) (supplement was a very high dose taken for a week in February)

Folate 12.3 (4.68 - 18.7)

Magnesium 0.88 (0.6-1.1)

Iron 16.0 (8.8-27.0)

Many thanks.

[Hidden]

Have you thought about food allergies? Dairy springs to mind. Could exclude it for a while and see if it helps?

H x

[Moggie]

Or wheat - this can be a problem with thyroid illness. Try going gluten free for a month but dont do both at the same time or you wont know which one is the problem.

mindbodygreen.com/0-7482/10...

Moggie x

[SnowdropB]

Hi H and Moggie

I have been tested for coeliac's - does this rule out wheat problems?? Have been wondering about food allergies and have had an attempt to cut down both wheat and dairy but I guess only exclusion works.

Many thanks

Frances

[Moggie in reply to SnowdropB]

Getting a negative coeliac test definately does not rule out wheat intolerance.

Have a look at this recent Daily Mail article which I found very interesting.

dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

Moggie x

[Hidden]

TSH is still not suppressed, so it's not *that* low.

T3 is downright low, and despite T4 being high, it could do with being a good bit higher. That's the problem - Trouble is, not many Doctors will agree!

Have you thought about a 24 hour salivary cortisol test? Poor adrenal output doesn't make for good conversion either.

If your adrenals are OK, then some T3 added in would make sense as T4 is already over range, and T3 should be higher... yes you can still potentially improve conversion - Vit D3 might be better a bit higher, and Magnesium DEFINITELY could go higher, iron too, but adding in T3 (as Triiodothyronine or with Natural Dessicated Thyroid) would get levels higher without any more T4.

Now all you have to do is get your Doctor to agree

[SnowdropB]

Hi Picton

I had an 'ordinary' cortisol test earlier this year which came back normal. Are you suggesting a 24 hr one might show a different picture?

My endo keeps trying to reduce my levothyroxine and appears completely unmoved that my T3 is so low. My GP is more sympathetic and allows me some leeway.

Happy to try more supplements but would be glad of advice on how much.

I am slightly wary of adding T3 in at the moment (even if I could get is prescribed!)as it is clearly not the answer for everyone and I am not too bad at the present time.

Many thanks for your advice.