Usual complaints.

[mrdtrotter]

Hi, I am a 35 year old male and I have had an under active thyroid and been on 150mcg of Levothyroxine for around 8 years. I have since suffered from thin (although does still grow well) patchy hair, bloating, and lulls in energy. The bloating (weight) is getting more and more annoying, to the point where I simply no longer eat enough. I read online a few years ago about taking the tablets before bed instead of in the morning and this has definitely improved the bloating although I still struggle to get any regularity with the loo. So my frustration has bought me back to the internet, and now starting to consider the diet options, specifically gluten free, I seldom see people online who are on as high a dose or for so long that have tried a total change of diet so I am keen to get some feedback.

Currently I am a usual eater, granola breakfasts, fruit, crisps, crackers, yogurts, pizza sometimes for tea other days chicken etc, all the usual food stuffs that Jo Average buys. So any gluten free or wheat free is going to be a huge change, I have researched local nutritionists and wonder whether paying for guidance would be worthwhile or wasteful. Or if indeed it will make any difference at all?

Where do I start?

[Hidden]

It's always worthwhile requesting a copy of your blood test results, you are entitled to them.

A good balanced diet is essential and many thyroid sufferers need to supplement with vitamins and minerals. It can be useful to plan a menu for the week. Do you eat fresh vegetables as these can help with constipation?

Do you have antibodies/are you Hashi? Is that why you're considering gluten-free etc?

[mrdtrotter in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the reply cinnamon_girl. I am not sure about 'Do you have antibodies/are you Hashi?' I have an under active thyroid, which is a result of RAI treatment 8 years ago. I am going to phone the doctor this morning to see about getting a copy of my results as I have never seen them. Should I post back with some numbers?

[greygoose]

Before paying for a nutritionist, ask what s/he knows about thyroid. They rarely know anything.

Do you really mean you have an 'Under-active' thyroid, or do you have no thyroid at all after the RAI? Why did you have RAI?

150 isn't such a large dose. I got up to 200 plus some T3. Didn't do me any good, though, because I couldn't tolerate the T4. Now I'm on T3 only. Maybe you need T3 - wouldn't surprise me! But we'll know more when you post your results.

Your diet sounds very heavy on the carb side - where are the leafy veggies? Sounds a bit clogging really! lol Maybe if you just lightened it up a bit... Cut out the crisps and the crackers! Not only do you not need them, they could be harmful - especially the crisps. Gluten-free isn't essential for everybody. It's one of those things you should try to find out. But it didn't do anything for me.

And 'not eating enough' is not a solution! You need those calories (quite a few of them from fat) to be able to convert that T4 you're taking into the T3 that your body needs. Not enough calories and your convesion suffers and you become more hypo and put on more weight! Low calorie diets are counter-productive for hypos!

So, post those results when you get them and I'm sure someone will be able to help you.

Hugs, Grey

[mrdtrotter]

Thanks greygoose, my head just popped, I will take a read properly at lunchtime

[mrdtrotter]

I had an over active thyroid so had it zapped. I have always assumed I had some Thyroid left but hadn't considered I might not own one any more. What is T3 and T4? I do try to balance my diet was more making the point that I do also currently eat what I want.

This is interesting 'Low calorie diets are counter-productive for hypos!'

I have my results from my last blood test (January) waiting at the Doctors I will collect them this afternoon and post the numbers. Have also made an appointment to see the Doctor for an up to date test and to discuss options.

[mrdtrotter]

OK, So I have the results. The main numbers appear to be

Plasma Free T4 15.3 pmol (6.3-14.0) (Above high reference limit)

And

Plasma TSH level 1.53mu/L (0.3-5.6)

AKA Greek.

[Hidden in reply to mrdtrotter]

Do you have any other test results?

[mrdtrotter]

Yes. I will post them up. Might take a little while.

[mrdtrotter]

Full blood count (424..)

Haemoglobin concentration (Xa96v) Above range 173.0g/l (130.0-170.0) Above High reference limit.

Total white blood count (XaldY) 7.6 10*9/L (4.0-10.0)

Platelet count- OBSERVATION (42P).. Below range 149 10*9/L (150.0-450.0)

Haematocrit (X76tb) 0.492 l/l (0.4-0.5)

Mean Cell Volume (42A..) 92.0fl (83.0-101.0)

Mean Cell Haemoglobin level (XE2pb) Above range 32.4pg (27.0-32.0) Above high reference limit

Mean cell haemoglobin concentration (429..) above range 352.0 g/L (315.0-345.0) Above high reference limit.

Red blood cell distribution width (XE2mO) 13.6% (11.6-14.0)

Red Blood Cell Count (426..) 5.34 10*12/L (4.5-5.5)

Neutrophil count (42J..) 4.6 10*9/L (2.0-7.0)

Lymphocyte count (42M..) 2.2 10*9/L (1.1-3.5)

Monocyte count -observation (42N..) 0.6 10*9L (0.2-1.0)

Eosinophil count- observation (42K..) 0.2 10*9/L (0.0-0.5)

Basophil count (42L..) 0.1 10*9/L (0.0-0.1)

Percentage neutrophil count (XE2mP) 60%

Percentage lymphocyte count (XE2mQ) 29%

Percentage monocyte count (XE2mR) 8%

Percentage eosinophil count (XaCJj) 3%

Percentage basophil count (XE2mS) 1%

Page 2

Renal profile (44j5.)

Plasma Sodium level (XalRf) 138 mmol/L (133.0-146.0)

Plasma potassium level (XalRl) 4.5 mmol/L (3.5-5.3)

Plasma creatine level (XaETQ) 100 umol/L (57.0-113.0)

Plasma urea level (XaDvl) 3.9 mmol/L (2.5-7.8)

Age used in calculation 35

GFR Calculated abbreviated MDRD (XaK8Y) > 60mL/min

Plasma free T4 level (XaERs) Above range (15.3 pmol/L (6.3-14.0) above high reference limit)

Plasma TSH level (XaELW) 1.53 mu/L (0.3-5.6)