Ok so i got my bloods back... Csn anyone advise? Im on 225mcg per day now (recently upped from 200)
442..13 thyroid function test
Serum free t4 10.9 pmol/l (12-23) low
Serum TSH 15.4 mU/L (0.27-4.2) high
Serum free T3 level
I literally have no idea what this means?
Crikey Hidden No wonder you have symptoms. The aim of a treated hypo patient is for the TSH to be 1 or below or wherever is needed for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their ranges. Your TSH is grossly over range and your FT4 under range. No wonder your GP has increased your Levo.
But you still don't know whether you are converting T4 into T3 and you need to know that before you'll know if adding T3 is the right thing to do. You said your GP is going to speak to the endo in your area about this. I personally would ask if you can be referred to the endo. You would expect, on the dose of Levo that you are on, to see your TSH lower than that and your FT4 higher.
This is beyond my understanding because you are on a high dose of Levo but it doesn't seem to be working. Because your TSH is elevated then your pituitary gland is working (the pituitary gland releases TSH when T4 is low) so it looks like pituitary problems can be ruled out. Hopefully someone else will come along who understands this more than me.
But you could get the vitamin and mineral tests done mentioned in your other thread and thyroid antibodies as well. As NHS only seem do Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and there are also Thyroglobulin (TG) antibodies I would actually do the private Blue Horizon test I mentioned and it will cover everything. You could ask your GP and get what you can from him, but I don't think you can get TG antibodies.
Thanks so much for this. I literally knew that there was something wrong because i cant be feeling like the tablets arent working!! When i first was on them they were working great and i lost a lot of weight and had lots of energy but now they seem to just be a thing i take and dont be getting anywhere!
I thought about this after I went to bed last night and I see that Greygoose has mentioned what I was thinking about - absorption issues. Your body certainly doesn't seem to be using the Levo you are giving it.
So, are you taking anything for the heartburn, maybe Omeprazole or something ending in 'zole' as they seem to have similar names, or other indigestion/heartburn remedies?
You say you have tummy issues, constipation or 'the other eay'. So gut issues need looking at. A probiotic would be a good idea. There are many strains of probiotic that do different jobs. You'd be best getting a multi strain one. There's Bio-kult (14 strains) and Cytoplan Acidophilus Plusntjat has 9 strains.
Here are a couple of links about probiotics, have a look through and see which strains might be worth trying and look for a brand that contains then
Was there no result for Serum free T3 level? Looks like you have some sort of absorption problem. Have you been tested for coeliac? Do you take PPIs? I do think your doctor ought to be referring you somewhere with results like these, but not sure an endo is the right person. Maybe a gastroenterologist? I think your gut does need investigating. Because if you can't absorb the levo, you aren't going to be absorbing the T3, either.
What are PPIs? I was tested for Coeliac but they said i didnt have it. Ive really bad tummy issues though, bloating, heartburn, either constipated or the other way. Thanks for your replies though, at least it isnt in my head! I'm defs going to donthe blue horizon test too.
PPIs are the treatment doctors often give to people for heartburn. They reduce stomach acid. But it seems like your stomach acid is already too low. Do you take anything for the heartburn?
The tests for Coeliac are notoriously unreliable. Just because the test is negative, doesn't mean you don't have it. Have you tried going gluten-free?
No PPIs, i usually take gaviscon so maybe should try and lay off those. I didn't gove GF a go, but i suppose it is definitely an option now. I'll have a look at the probiotics, i seem to be getting more rashes etc recently so maybe I have food issues as well?
Why don't you just try taking apple cider vinager in a little honey and water, before a meal to increase acid and digestion? There are other things you can take, but I can't remember the names right now... having a dozy day!
Just try GF for about three weeks. If it doesn't make you feel better, try eating gluten again and see how you feel. It could very well be that that is not your problem, so no point in being GF if it doesn't help.
Help with test results please
Help with test results please
Results please help. Thanks
