Suppressed tsh

[Cubby81]

So I self medicate t3, my doc has just flipped because my TSH is 0.01 (t4 14 12-22, t3 5.8 3.1-6.8)

She says I'll harm my baby ! (16wks pregnant after 2 miscarriages on t4 only)

What do I say to her or show her

[shaws Administrator]

Your results look fine to me and the fact that you've already lost two babies, I'd be apt to continue. I am not medically qualified but levothyroxine made me far more unewell than when finally diagnosed with a TSH of 100.

I wouldn't bother explaining as she will aware your results don't tie in with levothyroxine. i.e. your TSH and T4 too low and T3 very good range. That's to be expected when on T3 only. She will be worried as your bloods aren't 'right' if you were taking levo.

A few links:

hypothyroidmom.com/your-hea...

hypothyroidmom.com/maternal...

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

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

[Cubby81 in reply to shaws]

It's like banging your head against a brick wall. I feel much better than my last pregnancy, but she said I need to think about my baby!! Eh, I am!!

All she's worried about is my TSH!

[shaws Administrator in reply to Cubby81]

When we take T3 only our TSH may well be suppressed but Dr Lowe wrote an book on the 'Tyranny of the TSH' and Dr Skinner (both deceased now) was horrified how we are treated nowadays instead of how he was trained as a student i.e. symptoms only - no blood tests then plus NDT.

Dr. Lowe: For years, I’ve received emails from physicians such as you, and to my satisfaction, the number is increasing. As I say to most of the physicians, I sincerely regret that you suffered needlessly. Many millions of other people still suffer for the same reason—being on T4-replacement and expecting it to work well. Of course, recent studies show that T4-replacement is ineffective for and harmful to many patients. But personal experience seems the best teacher. And although I regret that you suffered so long before you switched to Armour, I’m sure your patients will benefit immensely from your personal experience.

You mentioned that you’ve ordered The Metabolic Treatment of Fibromyalgia. I discuss suppression of the TSH in many parts of the book. However, to gain a thorough understanding of how the endocrinology specialty has misled the medical profession about TSH-suppressive doses of thyroid hormone, I refer you to Chapter 4.4, pages 859-898. The chapter’s title is "Adverse Effects of Excessive and Inadequate Thyroid Hormone." You’ll find that in that chapter—as in every chapter of the book—I use scientific evidence and logical discourse to show the truth of the matter. This approach, of course, differs distinctly from the endocrinology specialty’s scientifically-groundless, commercially-driven ex cathedra pronouncements about TSH suppression.

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

[Glynisrose]

Rubbish! TSH can become irrelevent when at low levels your GP should NOT be adjusting meds based on blood tests alone and definiteley not on TSH!

[nonstopmummy]

Hi cubby81, I am 8 weeks pregnant on t3/t4 combo and like you, self medicating the t3 element. My TSh is suppressed 0.02 and of course idiot endo is telling Gp I am "over-replaced" and to lower my levo and stop t3!

My ft4 15.5 (12-22) and ft3 4.5 (3.1-6.8) are very low in the range (almost bottom quartile), when according to NICE ft4 should be in the top quartile -so what I need is not a decrease but an increase in both t4 and t3 which I have done as of today! Endo is an idiot if he doesn't know that t3 almost always suppresses TSh, and from what I've read on here, this isnt a problem so long as your t3 doesn't go over-range. If I followed his course of action I am sure I would lose the pregnancy / end up in hospital.

I still have to persuade GP to ignore his advice, but if she doesn't then sod it I will buy extra t4 myself (I already buy my own t3). This is how I'm tackling it anyway. I've had four miscarriages and one healthy baby prior to diagnosis. Hope this helps.

[Cubby81 in reply to nonstopmummy]

Thank you. Your numbers are quite similar to mine.

I'm sure it's the t3 that's made the difference. I'm just so worried that my doc won't treat me for anything else!

Best of luck xx