TEST numbers...

[capies63]

Hello to all,  I live in France, where OVER-prescription is usually the problem, and where NDT is illegal!  So, here are my numbers...  TSH total (today) 4.467, (01/09/2014 5.41)  FT3 (today) 1.9, and 2.7 Sept 2014; FT4 (today) 10.7 (scale 7.9-14.6).

ANti thyroglob: <15, Antithyropero 38

Vit D 52 (30-60)

Ferritine 24 (8-52)

Ca 2.12 (2.12-2.52)

K 3.7

Na 138

I have been prescribed Levothyrox 75mg, have it sitting on my kitchen counter, and ALL my instincts are saying do not take it... IDEAS?  All advice most welcome!  Thanks in advance  

PS I have no problem ordering NDT by mail from Thailand, and or demanding T3 supplementation. I also think that I may well have adrenal fatigue _ I did the light/pupil test and although I would not say I was "flickering" the size was definitely moving, and I know that I have pushed things too far for the last two or three years, stress and work wise

[Clutter]

Capies63,

Good news is that thyroid antibodies are negative for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hahimoto's).

TSH >2.0 indicates thyroid is struggling to produce sufficient hormone.  TSH 4.467 must be close to the top of the TSH range and FT4 is less than half way through range.  You haven't included FT3 range so I can't tell whether FT3 is good, bad or adequate but it has dropped. 

If you are symptomatic I would recommend taking the 75mcg Levothyroxine prescribed.  It will take 7-10 days for it to be absorbed before it starts working and up to six weeks to feel the full impact of the 75mcg dose. 

You should have thyroid levels retested in 6-8 weeks to see whether dose needs increasing or decreasing.  Arrange an early morning and fasting (water only) blood test as TSH is highest early and drops post-prandially. Most people taking Levothyroxine will be comfortable with TSH just above or below 1.0 with FT4 towards the upper quadrant and FT3 towards the upper third of range.

For maximum absorption Levothyroxine should be taken with water 1 hour before or two hours after food and drink, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements, and 4 hours away from iron, calcium, vitamin D and oestrogen.

________________________________________________________________________________________

I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[greygoose]

Why do you think you shouldn't take it? I agree that over prescription is prevalent in most areas of médicine, in France, but l haven't found it so where thyroid hormone replacement is concerned. French doctors are just as much obsessed with the TSH as UK doctors, and will happily undermedicate you.

[Treepie in reply to greygoose]

Having same problem with corrctions,and even a freezing so cannot complete and have to go back to posts and start again.

[greygoose in reply to Treepie]

Just corrected it on my PC, so I Don't know what's going on!

[Waltzingfrog]

Capies63,

I agree with clutter... Start the levo .. It works very well for many.. Takes a while to work and find the right dose but it may be all you need... Good luck  

[Glynisrose]

I don't understand why NDT is 'illegal'.  Do you mean there is no-one who prescribes it?

[greygoose in reply to Glynisrose]

She means that any doctor that prescribes it can be thrown into jail. Therefore, nobody prescibes it, and they know nothing about it, and no pharmacy would dream of selling it or they would be thrown into jail.

I could tell the story of how it came to be made illegal, but it's a long story and I Don't have the time right now.

[gabkad in reply to greygoose]

Goosie, that's totally out of this world crazy.  I, for one, would love to hear the story when you have the time to tell it.  

[humanbean in reply to greygoose]

I'd like to hear the story. It would make an interesting post for all of us.

[greygoose in reply to humanbean]

OK, kiddies, I will tell you a bed-time story. Once upon a time, there was an evil doctor...

I'll put it in a new post, for everyone.  

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

Done!

[capies63]

Actually it is considered illegal as are all medications containing animal products. 

[greygoose in reply to capies63]

It is illegal. As is HGH. But I Don't know of anything else.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to capies63]

Including insulin and vitamin D made from lanolin and all medicines containing gelatin (e.g. many capsules)?

[greygoose in reply to helvella]

Obviously not! lol I Don't think it's because it contains animal parts, but one hears such stories - usually from endos!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to greygoose]

Sometimes think endos would ban boudin noir. [1]

There are far too many medicines and medical products made from animal sources.

[1] French black (blood) pudding.

[greygoose in reply to helvella]

lol

Yes, I agree with you. Top of my list would be Premarine (did I spell that right?). It is incredibly cruel to horses, and not very good for humans anyway!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to greygoose]

Just wish that when synthetic thyroid hormones became available, everyone (patients and doctors) had found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

[greygoose in reply to helvella]

Yes, that would have been nice, wouldn't it.

[capies63]

My endo maintains that gelules are NOT made of animal origin gelatine here in France

[greygoose in reply to capies63]

Couldn't comment on that. But I do know that endos of any nationality will say whatever suits them, whether based in truth or not. In any case, Premarin is prescribed in France, and that is made form the urine of pregnant mares.

Anyway, if you want to reply to someone, you must click on the green 'Reply' button at the bottom of their post, otherwise, they won't be notified that you have replied.