Blood results

[Tabbymaple]

Hi all, I am new here and very grateful for this resource. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 5 years ago and was treated with levothyroxine. It took a few years to get the dose right and during that time I felt dreadful a lot of the time. Once I had got the dose correct I took it for another year or so and felt fine. Then last year I began to have symptoms of low thyroid again but my T4 levels were high not low. It wasn't until I met someone who had been through a similar experience that I began reading and researching and found to my horror that we were not alone and there are thousands and possibly millions of people for whom Levothyroxine is not working. people who are ill and do not know how to feel better because the bloods say they are fine, but their bodies and minds tell a different story. I decided that the only way forward was to try NDT. My GP was horrified that I wanted to take NDT and certainly would not prescribe it. I couldn't afford to find a private GP to prescribe it and I or the private prescriptions, tests etc - so I went on my own journey of discovery. I did inform my GP and she agreed to T4 & T3 blood tests when I needed them. I discovered through my research that my adrenals were not working well and needed support, so I ordered the natural supplements advocated by Dr Peatfield in his book. I also ordered Armour from an American company and began to take it. I also starting taking and recording my temp and pulse each morning and evening and how I felt and eventually after increasing by 1/2 grain at a time I found the right dose. I felt so much better, but money was once more an issue. Armour is expensive and then there is postage and then if it gets stopped by customs (I live in the UK) they charge £20% VAT and an admin charge on top. So foolishly I tried NDT by Nutrimeds and got very ill with hypo symptoms very quickly my pulse was an average of 58, my temperature was consistently, my joints stiffened up and I felt low and pretty dreadful. I kept researching and spent copious amounts of my time looking for an effective and economical way to treat myself. I eventually found Nature-Throid and ordered some from the same online pharmacy and it is working very well. I take 5 grains per day, it is economical effective and I feel human again for the first time in nearly a year - amazing! I need to also take the adrenal support because if I stop the hypo symptoms come rushing back. I have just had my T3, T4 and TSH tested and my T4 is spot on for me at 18.9 my T3 is slightly raised at 9.4 and my TSH is 0.002. I will be discussing this with my GP, but I am more guided by the way I feel nowadays than by numbers on a slip of paper, so I am reluctant to reduce my meds as she has suggested. I just wanted to share my experience with you, because I know that I have been very grateful to read the experiences of others during this journey. xx

[shaws Administrator]

I am glad you are feeling so much better on NDT and it looks as if you are coping much better on your own method.

Always put the ranges when you post your results as labs differ throughout the UK. They look fine though. When taking anything other than levothyroxine, I don't think the results can be the same. i.e. your higher T3 is the result of the T3 in NDT and isn't equivalent to being on levo only. Many of us also feel much better on a low, very low or suppressed TSH. You can give your GP this scientific article to read which has been sent to BTA and RCoP but ignored despite 3 reminders. The fact that NDT has been in use since 1892 in some form and doesn't appear to have the same side effects as levothyroxine it benefits many of us. It has also, I believe, been consistent whereas levothyroxine has been withdrawn many times over the years.

thyroidscience.com/Criticis...

[Tabbymaple in reply to shaws]

Thank you for the link and advice about the normal range. Knowing that many people are fine on a low TSH and slightly higher T4 is useful : )

[shaws Administrator]

This is a link on how best to treat patients:

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

[Nikkimoz]

Wow well done u. Glad you have got yourself under control. My friend and I both have hypothyroidism and she has also been self medicating and getting meds online. She has also been to see Dr peatfield. I however can not get my head around the whole levels business and have struggled to explain to a Dr. Been to an endo and he said all the internet stuff is rubbish and go away and lose weight. I have since lost around 2 1/2 stone but blood pressure etc is still the same. Actually feel like I'm going mad at times. Bogged down with medication and no way of explaining myself except to fellow sufferers.

[Tabbymaple in reply to Nikkimoz]

I know how it feels to try and explain about this issue to people who do not understand. I get a blank look or people assume I am a bit of a nut for not going with what the doctors are saying. But I know I feel better going my own way and that is enough for me, because I felt bad for so long doing what the medical profession said. I was also warned not to read 'rubbish' on the internet, but I am a born rebel and I did it anyway!!

[shaws Administrator in reply to Nikkimoz]

I'm sorry you aren't too well. Sometimes what happens (particularly when you haven't researched on the internet) is that the doctor/endo may keep you on too low a dose for you to feel well again and with continuing symptoms and keep attending the doctor who then thinks we are hypochondriacs. Tell us it's nothing to do with our thyroid gland as our bloods are 'perfect' meaning ' in range'. They do not consider that we may need a very low or suppressed TSH to fell well. They are willing to prescribe anything but an increase in thyroid hormones for the 'symptom' i.e. anti-d's or pain relief etc. instead of taking a Free T3 blood test to see what level that's at. T3 is the most important hormone and is required in all our receptor cells (billions) and T4 (levo) should convert to sufficient and if not we feel awful plus the other medications to control/relieve clinical symptoms.

Some hints:

Blood Test: Have the earliest possible appointment . Leave 24 hours since last dose of levo and test as it may skew results and fast. Take levo after test.

Take thyroid hormones on wakening and wait approx 1 hour before eating. Some foods interfere with medication. I leave 4 hours between hormones and supplements which I have at lunchtime. Some prefer bedtime dosing, in that case you must leave 2 hours after eating before taking hormones. If you've had a fatty meal it should be longer. Food can interfere with the uptake.

Ask for Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate to be tested. They should be towards the upper range.

Always get a print-out of your blood test results with the ranges, for your own records and so you can post them if you have a query. We are entitled to them.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Tabbymaple]

Thank you I will heed your advice