Iron Deficient and on Levo

[nickym1]

After asking for additional blood tests, I have been put on iron tablets. My Serum Ferratin result was 10 with range being 14-150. I'm cross as I've been complaining of fatigue for the last year.

Is there anything I should be aware of?

I had TT last year for follicular thyroid cancer.

Thanks..

[shaws Administrator]

I can never understand when you have your thyroid gland removed completely that you only get prescribed T4. This is a link and I would ask for T3 to be added and some T4 reduced as this may be helpful. I didn't have my thyroid gland removed, felt dreadful on levo and adding T3 made an amazing difference.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[nickym1 in reply to shaws]

Thanks shaws, I was on T3 only for several months - and felt worse than I do on T4. Heart palpitations and severe restlessness. However, I guess that a combination might be the answer. The iron tablets are beginning to help I think. Thanks for the advice.

[Hennerton]

Hi, Do you have latest blood tests for thyroid, free T4/3 and TSH? What dose are you on? You may find if you manage to get T3 that your Levo is reduced by 50 mcg. I tried this and found it worse than straight T4. I am not sure why they reduce it so much and no account ever seems to be taken for whether you are on the right dose of Levo in the first place. It is simply a case of " What dose are you on, right reduce by 50 and add 10 T3". I think you should make sure you are on enough Levo to bring you to the top of the reference range and then reduce a little to add T3. Just as an example I have had TT and was on 75/100 Levo alternate days and feeling ill for 6 years, before trying to get help. After many trials I am now on 125 Levo and 20 T3. I might even like to take more but am trying to do as new endo says, (just for a while!)

[nickym1 in reply to Hennerton]

Hi Hennerton, thanks for your response. I don't have my latest bloods. I have asked my consultant several times, and he says I can have copies, but I never actually get them. I take 150/200 on alternate nights. My tsh is fully suppressed. We tried reducing Levo before Christmas to 100/150 alternate nights, but that was awful! I felt so spaced out and unable to concentrate or function normally. So we tried the increase instead. I would like to try T4/T3 combo to see if it helps further. Iron tabs are beginning to help I think.

[Hennerton in reply to nickym1]

They are big jumps you are making! Do you have any 25 mcg tablets? You could try a dose in between the ones you are currently taking. You will only really know for sure when you see a full set of bloods. Endos have a strange concept of "normal ". Do chase for the results and post here for help.

[nickym1 in reply to Hennerton]

I think I'm ok on the higher dose. The iron tabs are definitely kicking in now - thank heavens! Due for more bloodwork in a couple of weeks. I will try again for paperwork. Gp always print it for me, it's just the hospital who don't. I even suggested an email to save the paper! Hey ho. I will post results when in. I think that the low Ferratin was a major factor in symptoms. Thanks again. N

[nickym1 in reply to Hennerton]

Incidentally, my consultant in the thyroid clinic is a Chemical Pathologist, not an endo at all. Very nice chap. Responds to emails into the night. I'm hopeful that he will get me well eventually

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

reallyfedup123,

Iron is important. Ferritin is important and is often used to indicate overall iron levels (despite various reasons for that not to be a fully reliable thing to do). Low ferritin does seem to impact the ability to absorb and utilise thyroid hormone though I don't know which steps are the critical ones.

BUT I feel that if you are making such a strong claim as your ferritin must be 70 before thyroxine can have any effect it really is important that you back it up with some references from good sources.

To be honest, I doubt that someone with ferritin at 69 cannot do anything with levothyroxine at all. And does a ferritin level raised by inflammation (or other cause) allow such processing even when overall iron levels are rather lower than that usually indicates?

Rod

[nickym1]

I don't think I can take supplements with iodine since my thyroidectomy. Which makes it difficult with multivitamins. I am drinking fresh orange juice with iron tabs to aid absorbsion though.