Confused??

[JOLLYDOLLY]

I have never understood this but if your thyroid has never work (born with partial gland) and the only way you could function was taking T4 and now combination of T4 and T3, then surely one I would naturally have antibodies and secondly, I am always going to have a suppressed reading surely? Also found out that I am not diabetic after all but very anaemic, having to take folic acid as well as iron supplement and B12 jab and vitamin D supplements. Currently taking 200mcg of T4 and 20 mcg of T3.

My latest readings are: T3 = 3.9 (3.1-6.8), T4 = 17.6 (12-22). I think the suppressed reading (forgot to write it down) was 0.09. I know it was low.

Can someone explain to mean what the reading should be for natural hormone before supplementing, especially if you haven't got a working thyroid.

Thanks in advance

[startagaingirl]

No it does not follow that you should have anti-bodies. The presence of these says that your immune system is wrongly attacking your thyroid hence causing it to be gradually destroyed. This is not what happened to your gland - for some unknown reason yours didn't develop properly in the womb. And no you are not necessarily going to have a suppressed TSH reading. TSH is not produced in the thyroid, it is produced in the pituitary gland in the brain as a messenger to tell the thyroid how hard to work. Presuming you have no issues with your pituitary, that naturally would be shouting very loudly at your thyroid, hence you would have a high TSH. The T4 and T3 you are taking is replacing what your thyroid can't make and hence your pituitary is calm and your TSH is not sky high. If you were to reduce your dose, then your TSH would rise.

Your test numbers show that you are not converting T4 to T3 well - though that could be at least partially down to your nutrient deficiencies, but you probably should consider raising your T3 dose a bit,

Good luck,

Gillian

[JOLLYDOLLY in reply to startagaingirl]

Thank you Gillian,

The ironic thing is, I did not have a problem with anything when I was growing up or as a young adult. Took two little tablets (200 mcg of T4) with no problems. Ate, drank, had no health issues and was able to conceive. BUT then got a new GP, who dramatically reduced my T4 to 75 mcg and this is what has caused all sorts of problems including dramatic weight gain, amongst other things.

I was put on T3 ten years ago, but the big controversy in the UK is that the powers that be, do not recognise the lithyronine and will not prescribe it. I am hanging on by the skin of my teeth with the NHS. When they eventually stop prescribing, I will have to supplement it myself.

On my current dose, I feel fine, I call it my natural dose. My gland has never worked and I was always told that the T4 did the work of it. My Endo wants me to be weaned off T3 by reducing it to 10 mcg, but I refuse to do that as my reading evidently says "normal" on 20 mcg.

I get so confused with all these numbers and the so called medically trained people and their theories, none of them seem to know what they are talking about. I just wish they had left well alone 20 years ago, and perhaps I would not have the problems, I have today.

Thank you for giving me an explanation, I appreciate you answering so promptly

[Hidden]

I know nothing about having a non-operational thyroid in younger years, mine was surgically removed when I was 58. Levo on its own never really worked for me and I have only had relatively good health since taking NDT - Thyroid-s brand.

Recommend you try some and see how you feel. You'll have to buy it yourself as your doc will not supply it.

[elizabethfleming]

WHY IS THYROID PROBLEMS CALLED GRAVES DISES

[JOLLYDOLLY]

Isn't Graves disease something to do with the eyes if you are over active/Hyperactive?? I am not sure what it means and why it is called that unfortunately. The only thing I do know, is that on the rare occasions when I am having too much T4, it does affect my eyes and makes them very sore and itchy to the point of painful, but again, not sure if that is a connection.