Hi guys. This is my first post ever, - Thyroid UK

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Hi guys. This is my first post ever,

Invinciblekala profile image
6 Replies

Hi guys. This is my first post ever, I was told 2 years ago At the age of 40 yrs I had under active thyriod , after changing the dose of my medication 3 or 4 times I am now taking 150mg of levo thyroxin. Now after a recent blood test my gp has told me my levels are now normal. Hummmm Can any one tell why I continue to be exhausted. And why am still gaining weight. My gp informed me that I'm eating too much..... Any help of diets I could try. Or any other advice welcome . Thank you in advance. Xxx

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Invinciblekala
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Invinciblekala profile image
Invinciblekala

Thank I will ask for these tests if it's gonna help . I really don't understand T3 and t4 results stuff tho al guess al have to read up on the subject. Thanks for the reply x

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to Invinciblekala

Invinci,

Pituitary gland produces TSH to nudge the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine (T4), an inactive storage pre-hormone. T4 is converted to triiodothyronine (T3), the active hormone required in every cell in the body. The blood tests express T4 and T3 measured as Free T4 (FT4) and Free T3 (FT3).

TSH increases in response to the body's demand for more T4 and T3.

Levothyroxine should be increased until the body's demands are satisfied and clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism should be resolved when the level is optimal. Unfortunately, modern medicine decides everything within a broad lab ref range is normal, which is not the same as optimal and fail to take into account unresolved clinical symptoms which may continue because the dose is not optimal for the individual or the individual may not be converting sufficient T3.

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Hi Invinci and welcome to the forum :)

Can you post your thyroid results with lab ref ranges please. Doctors idea of normal doesn't always resonate with us. You may be at the top of the range which would mean there is room for an increase in medication which might help resolve ongoing symptoms.

Fatigue and exhaustion can also be due to low ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate. We need these high in range to feel well. Ask your GP to do a blood test and post the results with lab ref ranges when you get them back.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

From now on always get a copy of your blood test results, with the ranges, for your own records and so that you can post them here if you have a query. They cannot refuse to give you one. Some surgeries ask for a nominal sum to cover paper/ink.

This is a link re weight gain connection to the TSH so although GP says you are now 'normal' your TSH may still be too high and if you have symptoms you need more meds.

web.archive.org/web/2010032...

Just by reading the answers to your question, you will now probably know far more than your GP.

I hope you feel better soon.

This is a link re vitamins and the last 3 are good at converting T4.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/search...!

Hello - I was diagnosed with underactive thyroid Hashimoto's age 39. Started Levothyroxine but was sweating terribly as in it running off of me and people actually asking me if I was OK on a dose of 50 mcg. Also had a ravenous appetite and continued to gain weight. Doctor told me it was 'impossible' to gain weight when taking thyroxine and I was apparently gaining weight as I was eating up my children's leftovers at tea time?! Welcome to the world of underactive thyroid problems. I saw an endocrinologist who reduced my dose to 25 mcg (still sweating) and eventually stopped taking it altogether for some years and accepted feeling sluggish all the time. Saw different endo privately and started on 25 mcg again gradually increasing to 37 1/2 mcg and now take 50 mcg. Feel bit better but not my previous normal self. Trying to lose weight by eating low GI foods which definitely helps.

estrellaliliana profile image
estrellaliliana in reply to

did you ever consider NDTH like Armour thyroid or Naturethroid?

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