Please can I have some feedback back. - Thyroid UK

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Please can I have some feedback back.

t3tracy profile image
21 Replies

Tsh 44.01 (0.27 -4.20)

T4 total 12.5 (64.5 -142.0)

Free T4 1.95 (12- 22)

Free T3 2.06 (3.1-6.8)

Anti-thyroid peroxidase abs 241.4 (34)

Vit B12 213

Serum folate 7.08 (8.83 - 60.8)

I have been taking 32 mcg a day of liothyronine. I've been gluten free which doesn't seem to be working. I feel so awful.

Vit D 110 do i need to keep on my dose of 4000iu a day?

Any advice would be great.

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t3tracy profile image
t3tracy
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21 Replies
puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle

May I ask how long you've been on t3 and why you're taking such a tiny dose? These are very terrible results from a thyroid perspective.

On the other hand your vit d seems ok (pending lab range). If it was very low before supplementing I'd stay on a good dose (2500-4000) and check again in a month or two just to see if it is rising or falling, then tailor your supplement accordingly.

t3tracy profile image
t3tracy in reply to puncturedbicycle

Hi I've been on liothyronine around 8 months. My Dr won't give me any more than that.I wasn't sure if I was takingtoo much or not but now know I need more. 😩

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

You need to increase your T3 as you are obviously not on sufficient, but I would advise (and am not medically qualified) to increase by 1/4 tablet every two weeks taking note of pulse and temp and if either rise too high you have to drop down to previous dose. Are you taking one daily dose of T3? Your T4 will be low as you aren't taking any.

t3tracy profile image
t3tracy in reply to shaws

Hi I don't take t4 it doesn't agree with me. I take it three times a day.

Thanks

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to t3tracy

How can your doctor not increase your dose and keep you on one which has given you dire results?????

So you take T3 three times a day. Food interferes with the uptake of hormones so our stomach has to be empty each time. I take mine once a day and don't have to allow 3 hours after food to take T3 and am well.

Your dose is too low (an am not medically qualified) but I shall give you a link by a doctor who only prescribed NDT or T3. T3 for his resistent paties. Resistant patients need superphysiologic doses of it in order to feel well. Go to the date December 17, 1997 on the following link. The other questions might be helpful as well.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

An excerpt from the following link :

And finally, why do I specify that the typical patient use one full dose of non-timed-release Cytomel for life? Because extensive testing has shown that this is safe, effective, and most economical—when used within the context of our entire protocol

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

Another excderpt from the same link above:

Your doctor’s false belief about the use of T3 isn’t unusual. Many doctors believe that T3 is dangerous. When pharmacists fill prescriptions for Cytomel, however, they often give patients a leaflet that makes the safety of T3 perfectly clear. Verbatim, the leaflet reads: "NO COMMON SIDE EFFECTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED with the proper use of this medicine." (Medi-Span, Inc.: Database Version 97.2. Data © 1997.) When used with reasonable precaution, T3 is perfectly safe.

The above doctor took 150mcg of T3 himself as he was thyroid hormone resistant.

I think it's time your doctor referred you to someone who knows what he is doing as I'v e never seen such awful results in someone who is taking thyroid hormones. You must have so many clinical symptoms.

t3tracy profile image
t3tracy in reply to shaws

I'm under an endo my last results we not like this. My tsh was 5.33 t4 6.5 ft3 0.88 ft3 7.21. That's what I can't understand. I've been gluten free for months. Even my antibodies have increased from 186.6 to 241. I just don't understand it. I thought t3 goes straight into the blood stream. So no need to wait hours. I always wait an hour before I eat or drink anyway. My Endo is a waste of time. I'm not going to her any more. She said I disrespected her when I tried to tell her things I had learned through research and basically told me it was all rubbish. Waste of my time going to her. Thank you for the links ect I will read them later. 😊

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to t3tracy

Most doctors do not like us to read the internet nor patients who don't agree with their treatment.

Yours was obviously wrong I think to give you such a small dose and I hope you get a better Endocrinologist next time.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

When were you diagnosed? How long have you been taking liothyronine. Are you self-medicating? As stated by puncturedbicycle your results are dire. They are far too low but you cannot rush increasing dose.

t3tracy profile image
t3tracy in reply to shaws

Ok I will take hikes slowly. I have some from Turkey but the expires in August? Been taking about 8 months.

puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle in reply to t3tracy

Just imo (not a doctor etc) I wouldn't worry about taking it regardless of expiry. The nhs t3 I get is always close to expiry (of course it is) and by the time I get around to using a new bottle it is way past its date. My t3 results are usually fairly robust (and when they've gone down it is generally after my levo was reduced).

May I ask who ordered these tests? Were they private? I ask because if you turn out to have a complex case you may want to get your gp involved in case you need another referral to an endo who will help you. I am as open to unconventional treatments as the next person but I think a herbalist may be out of their depth given the complexity of this situation.

At the very least your gp should be aware that your tsh is so high on your meds. I've been around long enough to know that they might not do anything (or even know what it is they should do) but this is the sort of thing that should go on your records if you see what I mean. I've never seen a tsh so high here in someone on meds, and certainly not t3, which tends to mean a lowered tsh.

I'm sure you feel very unwell and for me anyway there is always an element of feeling like I'm sleepwalking when I'm not on enough meds, but this needs immediate attention.

Look after yourself. <3

Clutter profile image
Clutter

T3Tracey,

You feel dreadful because you are very under medicated and need to raise your dose. When optimally medicated on T3 one would expect to see TSH <1.0 with FT3 >5.0. I suggest you increase your dose to 60mcg. If you are sensitive to dose increases you may want to do so in 10mcg increments each week.

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies. chriskresser.com/the-gluten... thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

VitD 110 is optimal. You could continue supplementing until April when ultraviolet light will be high enough to stimulate natural vitD.

Folate is deficient and B12 low. Ask for advice on healthunlocked.com/pasoc

t3tracy profile image
t3tracy in reply to Clutter

Hi the problem also is it think I have adrenal issues as my cortisol was 106 when tested then when the hospital injected me it went up to 306. They said I was fine 😣so a bit worried about upping the dose.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to t3tracy

T3Tracey,

I can't advise on cortisol and adrenal issues and they are separate to thyroid in any case. Your thyroid levels are so bad they will make you feel dreadful. Why are you worried about upping your T3 dose?

t3tracy profile image
t3tracy in reply to Clutter

I'm worried because I tried before and felt awful. I thoght it might be somwrhing to do with my cortisol level and not being able to go higher with the dose. I'm going to try again. Thank you your comments everyone.

pinkjess17 profile image
pinkjess17 in reply to t3tracy

Those cortisol levels are dire. Thyroid hormone clears cortisol faster out of the blood stream, especially t3 which will make you feel worse. You need adrenal support.

t3tracy profile image
t3tracy in reply to pinkjess17

Hi I am taking a adrenal support through a herbalist. Tablets and a tonic. I have been for 5 months now. Just takes so long to work. Will try to increase my dose of T3 as well. Thanks

puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle

t3tracy have you read the book 'Recovering with T3'? The circadian method is meant to help w adrenal issues (I think it is meant for low cortisol rather than high but it has been such a long time since I read it you may want to double-check).

Just an idea, as you're not on a huge dose of t3, would you consider taking it all in one go to see if your issues resolve? I know Dr Lowe (who took a massive dose all at once) said that you need a certain amount of saturation to get the t3 into the cells (I think he used the metaphor of an ocean wave hitting a sea wall if I haven't remembered that entirely wrong). If you have some beta blockers (always helpful to keep in the house if you're on t3) you could always take one if you feel overmedicated. I really struggled w splitting the dose and just felt my symptoms ebbing and flowing all day.

I feel so awful for you hearing of the lack of support you're getting from your docs. When I was diagnosed (ie on no meds at all) my tsh was around 30 and I felt awful. Years later on two occasions it rose to around 5 and again I felt awful. I can't even imagine how you feel and you're *on treatment*.

You may not have the stomach for it - and who could blame you - but if you're still under this endo's care this would be worth an official complaint in my eyes. I mean that in a a supportive way, not trying to tell you what you 'should' do as you have enough on your plate I'm sure. <3

t3tracy profile image
t3tracy in reply to puncturedbicycle

Thank you so much for your care. You have all been amazing on here. I don't think I could have gotten through this with out you all. The one thing im concerned about is my adrenals problems. I am going to try that method though. I dont have the book but will look it up. Thank you again.

puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle in reply to t3tracy

Please look after yourself. :-)

I understand the cortisol is a concern but these thyroid issues need sorting out too. If you endo isn't up to it (and you'd be well within your rights never to go back again) then you may need another endo referral.

Josiesmum profile image
Josiesmum

Here is some info about vitamins and minerals needed to support the adrenals. Adequate salt intake is also needed, along with plenty of rest, so take time out for relaxation.

adrenalfatiguesolution.com/...

If you can afford it, it may be worth seeing a private Endo.

Dr Christiansen recommends supporting adrenals by timing (good) carb intake:

saragottfriedmd.com/curing-...

t3tracy profile image
t3tracy in reply to Josiesmum

Thank you x

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