Treated for Hypothyroidism But recently Tired....

[michael172]

Been on 200mcg Levothyroxine for 8 years (am now 26). The last 2 years have seen me have the occasional week where I was tired (like hypothyroidism exhausted tired) but nothing to cause any real concern - thought this might have been normal, this has become more frequent the last 4 months; I've added an abnormal amount of body fat and more recently I've got to the point where I am shattered and have a burning desire to fall asleep. I feel like I would expect to feel if I were taking ten mcg a day - not quite how I was before I was diagnosed but enough to make me want to go to sleep and lose concentration in the afternoons. I consume Levothyroxine in the morning with water then wait an hour before eating or drinking anything else. When going to the gym Ive had to walk out and go home due to extreme fatigue quite a few times recently.

I'm going to have a blood test shortly - getting the nurse at the surgery to send me for some proper blood tests rather than the yearly checkups apparently. Now I did some googling and I get the impression that T3 might be an option if my results turn out to be bad, but also read many times that GP's are unwilling to prescribe this or that it doesnt actually help? What would my options be then? Something is really not right with me at the moment and I want to get it fixed. But I don't want to make any mistakes or have a GP that thinks I am a lier when my blood tests show theres nothing wrong with me.

Anyone been though this? I just want to feel normal.

[ROMM53]

Hi

Think the long standing members on here will advise you to ask for a copy of your latest Thyroid Function Test and post them on here for comment/ help.

It may be you just need an adjustment to your Thyroxine....?

Getting T3 prescribed isn't easy ( cost), but it is possible, but in the first instance post your TFT and someone experienced will hopefully advise you further.

[michael172 in reply to ROMM53]

Thanks appreciate the response, Ill wait till my results are back then post in this thread. I have, whether its stupid or not, consumed 300mcg of T4 for a week to see if that made any difference and it didn't. I've been tempted to find some T3 online but its hard to tell which sites are legit or not plus you never know what you are getting!

[ROMM53 in reply to michael172]

Seems a massive jump from 200mcg to 300mcg, probably best to go back to your usual dose until results available.

Sometimes hyper symptoms same as hypo ones, I've certainly felt like I've been run over by a train equally whether am hypo or hyper!

Re T3 best to get prescribed by doctor or hospital endocrinologist if you can, as bit of a mathematical formula reducing thyroxine by so much and adding in correct amount of T3.

If all else fails, then maybe go down the self medicate route, ask for other members recommendations on which online pharmacies reliable. Usually have to ask for people to PM you so guidelines not broken.

[shaws in reply to michael172]

Hi Michael172

I am sorry you are yet another person who is unsatisfied with their thyroid hormones/treatment as you are still unwell.

When you get your results, with the ranges, post on a new thread because it enables more to see it as posts go off the pages very quickly and you might get more responses.

Did you leave 24 hours approx between your dose of levo and your blood test? Did you have it as early as possible? Did you get Vit D, Vit B12, iron, ferritin and folate tested too.

Once we see your results and with the responses, it can be the first step on the 'recovery ladder'. It's not instant but at least it's something.

[Lucalie]

You should also have your iron levels checked.

I felt similarly to you last autumn and my gp reluctantly raised my levo dose from 100mcgs to 125mcgs with little to no effect. It took till Xmas to spot my iron levels were almost non existent and, even now, I'm still unwell while I build my stores back up.

Don't get bogged down that it MUST be thyroid related. It MIGHT be. But, it could be something else too.

Ask your gp to do full blood panels for a better idea.

Good luck x

[hose1975]

I would push hard for your free T3 to be tested. I had a TFT done recently and although my TSH was suppressed and the free T4 was slap-bang in the upper quadrant of the range, my free T3 was very low in range, which would explain why I feel the symptoms of hypothyroidism. You do need the free T3 to get the full picture. Ask your GP to humour you if they look like they'll say no to your request!

[greygoose]

GPs are unwilling to prescribe T3 for two reasons : 1) In England it's very, very expensive, and 2) they know nothing about it. Saying it doesn't help is just down-right ignorant. In trials they've done that supposedly prove it doesn't help, they just haven't given the patient enough to work. Like everything else, you have to take the right dose for it to work. And if they think it doesn't work, why do they think the body automatically (hopefully) converts T4 to T3? What would be the point if T3 doesn't do anything? Illogical or what?

I am on T3 only. I have no working gland. If T3 didn't work, I'd be dead. What else can I say.

Increasing from 200 to 300 was ill-advised to say the least! You've probably put your body in shock. Increases and decreases should be no more than 25. If it's only been a week, go back to 200 and start again. However, if you are still unwell on 200, it probably means that you aren't converting, and you need some T3. Ask for a trail of 20 or something, added to a lowered T4 and see how it goes.

Hugs, Grey

[michael172]

Thanks all Ill ask for the bloods to cover the things mentioned then report back. The Turkish T3 seems relatively cheap I don't understand why its so expensive in the UK.

If i get nowhere hopefully some of the members can suggest some sites I can use to get hold of some T3 and have a go at self medicating.

[michael172]

Update - I have had a test done and waiting for results. it contains everything including Free T4 and Ferratin and folate...

Except Free T3 . Went very quiet when I asked for it to be done multiple times. Almost like they follow a script and anything out of that is unknown.

So Ill wait till the results come in and regardless begin adding T3 to my T4. Or Just take T3 all together. Nevermind! I'm sure my health is in the hands of well trained professionals.

Sure as heck hope you people know some good reliable suppliers as I know theres lots of scam sites out there.