hypothyroid

[eviegar2017]

hi , wrote recently about Natural Desiccated thyroid. Doc advised me not to buy any. But I am going to have thyroid blood tests done next week.

my recent test results were TSH 2.48 mU/L T4 10.9 pol/L

vit d levels were 29 nmol/L

b12 i have injections every 8 weeks

anyone have any ideas if thyroid results normal i take 75 levo

[Ruthi]

We need ranges but usually people on Levo should aim for a TSH around 1 or lower, and your FT4 looks as if its right at the bottom of the range when it should be in the top quarter.

And pretty well every doctor will advise against buying NDT on the net. Most don't even know what it is. But it has kept me alive these last 15 years!

[eviegar2017 in reply to Ruthi]

Thanks I'm off for blood test next week.

I understand if you find NDT works ..Ihave struggled for many years I think if it works its worth it such a pity doctors don't know more,

[Ruthi in reply to eviegar2017]

There is no point in even trying till you have had an adequate dose of levothyroxine, which is fine for most people. And then you would need FT3 testing to make sure you are converting properly(I didn't).

There are lots of other things that can make you feel tired and cold, of course. However doctors usually seem to blame the patient, and tell them they are depressed.

[eviegar2017 in reply to Ruthi]

I know I have several things b12 and bit d deficiencies plus chronic pain. Doctors don't like being challenged about medication but I've found I've had to fight to get tested and appropriate treatment. Some would like to put it down to depression but its not always true,although being I'll does make you low.

[Marz in reply to eviegar2017]

I have read that if your folate is low then you need to supplement it for a couple of days before starting the B12 injections. They work together in the body. Over on the PAS forum here on HU there are lots of people who will help you with this.

How are your Ferritin levels ?

[humanbean in reply to Marz]

Marz, it is the other way around. If B12 is low and folate is started before the B12 then there is a risk of that condition which affects the spinal cord - sorry, can't remember the name exactly - subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord?

Read section 2 in this document :

medicines.org.uk/emc/PIL.18...

Also see :

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subac...

Quote :

If someone is deficient in vitamin B12 and folic acid, the vitamin B12 deficiency must be treated first to avoid precipitating subacute combined degeneration of the cord (giving folic acid first will turn the remaining B12 into methylcobalamin which will not be able to participate in fatty acid metabolism).

[Marz in reply to humanbean]

Am still trying to find the post I read this morning .... sorry was interrupted before I finished the reply. We are experiencing flood damage after horrendous storms last night and today.

I must have mis-remembered what I read on the PA forum

[helvella in reply to Marz]

Hope it's not serious?

[Marz in reply to helvella]

Thank you ! Our driveway and parking area at the Guest House has washed away. It was gravel - now red mud ! Our Studio at ground floor level was flooded this morning and our wonderful dog was there in her soaking wet bed .... looking very confused. Lots of mopping up. But hey England beat Wales so hubby happy.

Didn't dare feel sorry for ourselves as I kept thinking about all the migrants living in tents in Northern Greece and elsewhere whilst the rains and winds lashed our house. The very worst storms since our arrival in 2004 and for now the rain has stopped.

[helvella in reply to Marz]

Sounds really unpleasant. Hope the weather has turned.

[eviegar2017 in reply to Marz]

I hope your OK, we do have a lot to be grateful for but its still hard to deal with.

[eviegar2017 in reply to humanbean]

Thanks will look into it on this site.

[eviegar2017 in reply to Marz]

Not sure will try and get doctor to test.thanks

[startagaingirl]

Well for a start your vit d is on the floor and won't be allowing you to use any hormone effectively. You really need to supplement that, optimum level is around 100. Various doses are recommended, you probably need around 50,000 in/week to start for a few weeks then down to a lower level. I use a spray from H & B, others recommend soft gel caps. That needs to be d3 btw. With this it is important to take vitk2-mk7 to handle calcium uptake and magnesium.

For the other nutrients, since multiple deficiencies are common, how is your folate (will be used up by b12 injections), needs to be mid-range and your ferritin, needs to be at least 70? You can ask for tests for these from GP or privately from blue horizon or medichecks.

Yes you are under-medicated, but it is preferable to up the Levo rather than shift to NDT. Levo works well for 90% of people, and until you get to a better dose level you won't know if you are in the other 10%. NDT is not licensed in UK and hence has to be either sourced privately from abroad or from a very rare endo (usually privately) via a normally private prescription. That can all multiply the cost involved to substantial levels, along with a lot of private testing that would be required. So don't be holding out for NDT, sort out your nutrients and Levo dose for now.

Good luck,

Gillian xx

[eviegar2017 in reply to startagaingirl]

Thanks for your lovely reply, just what I needed. I will purchase the vitamin. I have the soft shell vit d will up dose. I will get bloods checked at my doctors next week.maybe if they come back needing levo increase I will feel better. Thank you for advising on staying on levo until I know how things go.

[Glynisrose]

Doctors will sy anything to discourage you buy it if you wish.

[eviegar2017 in reply to Glynisrose]

I know, I will look into it. Thanks

[eviegar2017]

Thanks will hopefully be able to up the dose of levo.if it doesn't work will consider NDT.