HASHIMOTO, NEED HELP UNDERSTANDING RESULTS.

[Didie]

Hi, Please can anyone help me read these results, I take 50mg x1 a day of levothyroxine and 10mg x 3 a day of Liothyronine.

December 2015 (not on Liothyronine)

T3-4.4

T4-11.4

TSH-9.49

Febuary 2016 (on Liothyronine)

T3-9.0

T4-8.4

TSH-0.12

June

T3-8.6

T4-8.0

TSH-0.20

JULY

TSH-0.43

at the moment I feel on a low, emotional and lethargic.

[radd]

Didie,

I am sorry to hear you are still feeling so unwell after all these years.

You have been medicating T3 for 6 months. It took my body many months to acclimatise to T3. My head got totally screwed and I cried every day for months, and then my hair (that had always been thick) starting falling out ! ! ..... Thankfully as hormones eventually levelled out, I came through it .... but I had an immediate energy improvement. Infact everything improved apart from low mood and hair.

Even without ranges it is evident your results are good, reflecting the additional T3 by lowering TSH//T4 and raising T3 level. If you are not feeling well, I would suggest you look into nutrients needed for good thyroid hormone synthesis. Ask your GP to test Vit B12, folate, ferritin, Vit D and post results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment.

The endocrine system is made of many feedback loops and their various hormones all “talk” to one another and make changes to the body to try and keep things in balance. There are lots of reasons why meds don't work such as a conversion problem, receptor resistance, adrenal fatigue, insulin resistance. Low thyroid hormone causes a lower metabolic rate that slows everything up including the movement through the entire gastrointestinal tract.

Do you have gut issues ? ? .. Blood sugar issues ? ? .. High//low cortisol ? ? ... Are you menopausal ? ? ... ...Any of these can influence thyroid hormone function. How annoying to be medicating T4 & T3 with good test results and still not feel well. There must be a reason ....

Thyroid meds should be taken with water - 1 hour before or 2 hours after food and drink, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements, and 4 hours away from calcium, iron and vit D.

[Didie in reply to radd]

Thank you, I know I also have a low blood pressure and have recent my been on antibiotics at the beginning of the month. I do have problems with my gut and I am gluten free, low fat and eat fresh foods and very little process food. This is second nature as I have had problems with my digestive system for 39 years.

This is not so easy to treat as I feel as I'm on a roller coaster, even following the advice. Wanting a cure and feel "normal"the majority of the time.The amount of time I'm told I have to learn to live with it, I hope it's processes and I like you will adapt.

Like you my head is screwed, and yes tearful, my thick hair is a lot thinner, feeling low, I'm also having problems with my urine track, headaches and feeling sick.

Thank you for your reply as it is giving me hope and I will strive on, as you got through this unsettling time, and the transaction are very simular. I shall also ask about the other tests you mentioned.

I wonder sometimes how much more my husband can take, as this illness has a knock on affect on my family. Even though he is supportive and so are my grown up children, it does not stop me worrying and especially during times like this.

[radd in reply to Didie]

Didie,

My family have been through the mill with me too and you certainly do NOT have to learn to live with your symptoms ! ! ...

Hypothyroidism is associated with reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) resulting in a reduced clearance of creatinine (a byproduct of muscle metabolism excreted by the kidneys). A small amount of T4-T3 conversion happens in the kidneys which is less active when there is inadequate excretory of the kidneys (uraemia).

Thyroid hormone is highly effective on the autonomic nervous system and alterations may interact with lower urinary tract (LUT) function. Normal functioning of the urinary bladder is dependent upon regular function of the detrusor muscle during the storage and voiding phases. The relaxation and contraction functions of the detrusor muscle are mediated by several neural circuits, including sympathetic, parasympathetic, and somatic nerves.

I had pelvic pain and blood in my urine when was eventually diagnosed but had previously refused all investigations because knew there was some other underlying cause and the urinary issues all cleared with optimal thyroid hormone.

You sound clearly symptomatic in spite of your good results, which won't tell if you are converting too much or not converting enough as your T3 result could be indicative of your meds and doctors (& even most endos) don't appear to understand thyroid physiology.

Getting nutrients and iron tested is the first step. Also ask for a 9am cortisol test as adequate levels are vital. When these tests are refused, members use private labs - link below.

Can you post the ranges for your blood tests ?

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Private labs testing

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

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Gut Acid

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/hypochl...

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Saliva Stress Test (test ref END01)

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

The cost is £77.00 which is a discounted price for THyroidUK when code A42AQ is used.

gdx.net/uk/product/27

[Didie in reply to radd]

Thank you, at the moment I know I'm in a bad place, I try to put a positive face on for my family, but that has a lot of cracks at the moment.I know this is not my fault and I'll try anything to improve, but I feel I'm fighting a loosing battle. Every time I feel there is a little improvement , it does not last very long. The problem I had with sleeping all the time, taking T3 has put an end to that, I'm now needing a lot less sleep, but it's the other symptoms that have seemed to deepen, trying to fight the mood swings, the low feeling, trying to stop the crying, not wanting my family to keep seeing me like this. I keep telling myself it will get better at some point.

A lot of my friend and family do not understand, and I tend to cut myself away rather have them question or roll their eyes.

Thyroid UK has been so helpful, it's through them and a phone conversation that put me in contact with the endocrinologist I'm seeing now. They emailed a list of specialists.

It also helps me know I'm not alone, that these symptoms are being experienced by other sufferers.

I have a appointment to see my GP on Tuesday and will ask about the tests you have mentioned and other than the above T3,T4 and TSH, I'll ask about receiving any results from any other tests done in the past.

I'm also having my urine monitored, every time I'm on the low I also have problems with my kidneys and blood in my urine. Your explanation makes sense.

Thank you

[tolla36]

Don't listen to your gp. They have very little knowledge on this problem. Ask yo be referred to an endocrinologist ASAP.

[Didie in reply to tolla36]

I am seeing a new Endocrinologist since December, she prescribed Liothyronine at the end of last February, so it seems that my brain and body need time to adjust, crossing fingers that it does not take much longer.