Yearly check up

[infomaniac]

I take my Levo at approx. 3-4 a.m. I have read that you shouldn't take your meds before having bloods taken but my appointment isn't until 4.30 p.m. Should I take my next dose the following morning (therefore missing a dose?)

Also, can anyone advise what I should be asking to be tested please? I am on 100mcg of Levo and am OK, but not 100 %. I still have some problems with my hair, weight, brain fog and also have both Plantar Fasciitis and Peridontal disease (which I've read are linked to being Hypo). Also, my antibodies at the last count were extremely high (approx 1100).

I take Vit D3, Vit C, Zinc, Evening Primrose, Rosehip, B Complex and a probiotic. Should I also give these a miss prior to my appointment?

Many thanks

[shaws Administrator]

As doctors usually take account of the TSH only for diagnosing and adjusting hormones, a late afternoon appointment wont give the most accurate TSH as it is highest early morning and changes throughout the 24 hours so will be much lower at 4.30 p.m. and might result in your dose being reduced and not being increased which might be better for you as you still have symptoms.

Yes, take the dose after blood test and you can also take your dose as usual early a.m. too if you wish. I have read that some people take a whole week's dose in one go. Not for me I wouldn't even think of that.

I would ask if you could please have your Free T3 tested as you are still having bad symptoms (they are symptoms of hypo) as you'd like to know if levothyroxine is converting sufficiently to T3. (Your GP may be unaware that this is what happens when we take levo). Some labs wont test if your TSH is in range but if you can afford it you can have a private one but I hope your GP will request it.

I would give your supplements a miss before your test if you are having more than a thyroid gland blood test but am not sure how long or if it is necessary, so hopefully someone will come along with knowledge.

Others have said that going gluten free has helped them feel much better.

[infomaniac in reply to shaws]

Hi Shaws, this is the 1st appointment I've had at this surgery and I've waited 5 weeks for it so I will have to keep it! I think I will just discuss everything with her and ask if I can go back 1st thing the following morning to actually have the blood taken.

I've only managed to ever have T3 tested once before and since then have been refused but I am hoping this practice will be more forward thinking. Is there any way I can convince/bamboozle her (symptoms etc) into thinking there may be a conversion problem?

I have actually been gluten free for nearly 3 years now and think it has definitely helped

[shaws Administrator in reply to infomaniac]

I'm glad gluten free has helped. There is a new paper out:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

hormonerestoration.com/

Go to page 80 on this link:-

tpauk.com/images/docs/reduc...

The guidelines say they cannot prescribe T3 but what you can say is that you don't feel so good on T4 and can you have a Free T3 test so that you will know whether or not T4 is converting to sufficient to T3 for your needs. (she might not know what you're talking about )

That's a good idea saying to have your blood test next day

[infomaniac in reply to shaws]

Great idea! I think she's quite young so hopefully she'll go for it Thanks a lot.