Results

[Agnieska]

Hi do my current results indicate an increase in dose please? I have been taking levothyroxine for 4 years and my dose is 125mcg . Thank you

Serum TSH 2.35 (0.2 - 4.2)

Serum free T4 13.1 (12 - 22)

Serum free T3 3.8 (3.1 - 6.8)

[greygoose]

They certainly do. Your TSH is much too high for someone on thyroid hormone replacement - most people feel better with it below one. And your Frees are much too low - most people need them up the top of the range to feel well.

[Agnieska in reply to greygoose]

Thanks greygoose I have spoken to my doctor so many times about an increase in dose because of symptoms some of them quite severe and she says my results are in range and I need to live with my symptoms. Some of my symptoms have been treated with other medications like proton pump inhibitors painkillers and antidepressants

[greygoose in reply to Agnieska]

Well, you don't want any of them! Especially not the PPIs. Your doctor obviously doesn't have the first idea what she's doing. Can you see another one? However, they'd much rather prescribe drugs than hormones, because they don't understand hormones - they don't 'do' them in med school.

But, if you can't get anywhere with doctors, there's always the possibility of self-treating. Or you could always use that as a threat - increase my dose or I'll increase it myself...

[Agnieska in reply to greygoose]

Thanks I tried to explain to the doctor I was getting symptoms since taking the proton pump inhibitor which were things like getting more of a cough and a burning in my throat and coughing up yellow mucus but the doctor I saw said it was unfair of me to blame the proton pump inhibitor on those symptoms and said I would benefit from taking it. I have been taking that since 2015 and I think I have been through every single doctor in the pratice

[greygoose in reply to Agnieska]

I have never heard of anyone benefiting from PPIs! Big Pharma is the only one that benefits.

Have a read of this :

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...

[Agnieska in reply to greygoose]

Thanks greygoose the reason the proton pump inhibitor was prescribed to me was because I had difficulty swallowing for 4 years and my neck swelled up at the front. I had an ultrasound which showed I had a goitre but I went back to the doctor who said the scan was fine and I was sent away with antidepressants. I saw a nurse at a walk in clinic who said my thyroid was swollen and I had to go back to the doctor for more investigations but the doctor put on my notes that I had general anxiety disorder. I was referred to an ear nose and throat person who did a barium swallow but that was fine and another ultrasound which again confirmed a goitre. Another year went by and I had an endoscopy which showed my oesophagus was narrowed and I had "possible acid reflux" at the bottom. My oesophageal ring was said to have shrunken hence why I have been taking the proton pump inhibitor ever since.

[greygoose in reply to Agnieska]

Well, I'm not medically qualified, but I can't see how PPI's can help with any of that. They just like prescribing PPIs, that's all. But, your doctor sounds particularly ignorant! If she were to prescribe a decent dose of thyroid hormone, there would be no need for any of this!

[shaws Administrator in reply to Agnieska]

Proton pump inhibitor should be unnecessary for hypothyroid patients. The reason? That hypothyroid patients normally have 'low acid' rather than 'high' but as symptoms are so similar they prescribe antacids which we do not require. We need a good Apple Cider Vinegar (with 'mother') a teaspoon or two mixed with water and taken during meals or digestive enzymes.

scdlifestyle.com/2012/06/hy...

[Clutter in reply to Agnieska]

Agnieska,

Tell your GP TSH 0.2, FT4 19 and FT3 5.0 are within range too and most people will feel better with those results than yours.

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 1.0 or lower with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Agnieska]

Change your doctor or self-treat. You cannot do worse than your GP who wrongly believes (or has been told) that to keep results 'in range' is fine whilst ignoring clinical symptoms or making you get even more and is willing to prescribe 'other meds' for symptoms rather than a decent dose of thyroid hormones.

If you can afford a private blood test we have two recommended labs. Blue Horizon and Medichecks and on Thursdays Medichecks has special offers.

You need TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. Your GP should test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

Blood tests have to be at the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levo and test and take afterwards.

Get a print-out and make sure ranges are stated and post for comments on a new post.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

ask GP to check levels of vitamin d, b12, folate and ferratin. These all need to at good (not just average) levels for thyroid hormones (our own or replacement ones) to work in our cells

PPI's can lower B12 & also magnesium

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/p...

nhs.uk/Conditions/Anaemia-v...

Usually with hypothyroid we have low stomach acid. Symptoms very similar to high acid and often misdiagnosed. Lots of posts on here about low stomach acid and how to recognise & treat.

Also do you know if you have Hashimoto's? Have you had thyroid antibodies checked? There are two sorts TPO Ab and TG Ab. (Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) Both need checking, if either, or both antibodies are high this means autoimmune thyroid - called Hashimoto's the most common cause in UK of being hypo.

TPO is rarely checked and TG almost never checked. More common to have high TPO or high TPO AND high TG, but negative TPO and raised TG is possible, though rarer.

If you have Hashimoto's then you may find adopting 100% gluten free diet can really help reduce symptoms, and lower antibodies slowly over time too. You do not need to be coeliac to still gain enormous benefit from being strictly gluten free

thyroidpharmacist.com

thethyroidsecret.com/trailer/

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

hypothyroidmom.com/92-of-ha...

amymyersmd.com

drknews.com

If you can not get GP to do these tests, then like many of us, you can get them done privately

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

[Agnieska in reply to SlowDragon]

Where do I post resuts? On this thread or a new one?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Agnieska]

On a new one would be best