The doctors report has said that I could not be getting t3 into my cells as the ratio is not right . I could only work out how to upload only one picture so I was unable to upload the report.
I don't know about the ratio - ratios are for healthy people, not hypos - but did he actually look at that FT3 result? It's below range. You don't have enough T3 to get into the cells.
Do you know you've got Hashi's? Are you taking selenium? On a gluten-free diet? Both could help.
Are you on thyroid hormone replacement? If so, you need an increase in dose.
I've been hypo for 14 years and taking thyroxine at 125 mcg . I never knew what type I had as it was never discussed and when I asked I was told it was irrelevant. I've tried gluten free with no improvement but I do take selenium . If I was to take this report to my Gp what can I ask for ? T3?
Thank you for replying my head is spinning a bit right now . Partly because I'm vindicated in some way, I'm Not a hypochondriac , it's not all in my head , I'm been feeling so ill that I was thinking if this is life going forward then I'm all out of fight but now I see there might be a way forward for me and I'm so emotional. Sorry for the ramble just so overwhelmed . Thank you for replying
Well, if I were you, I would start by asking for an increase in levo, because your FT4 is also low. Could be that if your FT4 were higher, conversion might pick up, and bring your FT3 level up. I doubt you'd get T3 in the present climate, anyway.
It isn't irrelevant what is causing your hypo, because when you have Hashi's, you need your TSH at zero. But, I doubt your doctor knows that.
No, you are not a hypochondriac. But, you are hypo. And, you need the correct treatment to make you well.
In all these 14 years, have you ever had your vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested? They are probably low after all this time, and they will be causing symptoms, too. So, ask your doctor for those.
Yes I've been low in vit b12 for about 5 years I get 12 weekly injections I'm also low in folate at the moment and vit d both of which I now take supplements for. My Gp like most peoples really won't listen to anything I say and mocks me by asking if I've been looking at google again. I will print the suggested report out and give him physical evidence that he needs to help me .
Tell him it wouldn't hurt him to do a little googling. He mightlearn ssomething!
Can you give the results of your nutrient tests, and tell us exactly what you're taking, make sure you're on the right doses. No point in taking too much or too little.
My folate was 3 so I take 5 mg of that my b12 is 565 at the moment ( that was taken just after my last jab even though they shouldn't test when your on treatment) my vit d was 50 so I was prescribed 800 but they had some nasty blue dye in them among other things and was also advised that it wasn't enough so I've been taking 5000 iu of d3 I also take vitamin k 100mcg( mk7 natto) and selenium 200iu and magnesium 200 mg I also take a probiotic .
I've been following this for about 2 months now my last infection was the beginning of February so it does seem that this regime is helping to boost my immune system as I had literally had antibiotics every other week since last June, all different things but water , breast, chest you name it I couldn't fight off anything at all.
Does this sound right to you guys ?
Any thing I'm missing? . I must drag myself off this merry go round and demand treatment that will help me. I had a suggestion of a lovely lady on here on of an endo close by ( about an hour) and my Gp refused to refer me as I had no new medical grounds ( he was Nhs ) but he would write me a private referral ..
Now I need to be specific in my requests regarding my blood test results. I need to go back as I've tested positive for h pylori and he wants to start treatment so I can hopefully kill two birds with one stone .
800 vit D certainly wasn't enough. But, I'm not sure 5000 is, either. I don't know, I'm not an expert. Still, now that sunny days are coming, perhaps you could spend some time in the sun, to boost it.
You could also try taking a little zinc. That's another cofactor of vit D3.
TSH is low (which is good) but FT4 and FT3 are low in range so there is scope to increase Levothyroxine dose which will raise FT4 and FT3 but will suppress TSH. Some patients need TSH suppressed before T4 is high enough to convert sufficient T3. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email louise.roberts@thyroiduk.org.uk if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.
Thyroid antibodies are high which means you have autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's) which causes 90% hypothyroidism. 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.
Ok I've sent the email off to request the article. So I basically need to ask my Gp if he would consider upping my Levo as my t3 and t4 are in the lower end of the range and there is some evidence in my bloods that I don't have enough in my system.
There is evidence in my bloods that the reverse t3 is too high compared to the t3 so the ratio is off . ? Does this sound about right?
I really appreciate your help.
All of this is way over my head. I'm picking up bits and pieces as I go along but the people on here have so much more knowledge than me and I need to go in with as much evidence as possible to help me get me Gp to act in my favour. It's so exhausting !
I'd investigate your positive ANA test too. My Endo referred me to Rheumatology and I have been diagnosed with SLE (Lupus) based on my positive ANA and ongoing symptoms some which overlap with hypothyroid symptoms. It's definitely worth you seeing a rheumatologist if you haven't already.
It's significant that both your antibodies are high. Your doctor should not be dismissive of that. The FT3 is on the low side, should be within the upper 25% threshhold. I'd get a scan of your thyroid to make sure you don't have cancer or a nodule. I'd also suggest taking selenium to lower the antibodies.
No sign of a Ferritin result either ( stored iron ) Have you been treated for H-Pylori ? - perhaps you have mentioned it before and I have missed it VitD dose of 5000 IU's sounds fine but I would suggest testing again at the end of summer to see where you are before the dull days of winter. Your B12 test whilst on injections suggests you are not holding onto the B12 - so take a good B Complex as well - Thorne Research is the one I take - bought on-line. there are many other brands. B9/Folic Acid and B12 work together in the body.
How long were you gluten free ? It can take time and many of the symptoms caused by gluten are rarely noticed - until it is too late
How often do you have B12 injections ? Have you had PA diagnosed ?
How do you take your T4 medication ? On an empty stomach an hour before eating ? You can of course have water. Your LOW FT4 result suggests you are not absorbing well and as the FT4 is low then so is the FT3. Am a little concerned that adding more T4 will not improve matters adequately if you are not absorbing. Have you discovered if you have LOW stomach acid ? If it is low then do read up ( on-line ) - and consider treating. We need good acid levels to break down proteins ready for digestion.
Fibromyalgia is often the result of LOW T3 - LOW Thyroid - and LOW VitD. So in time they should improve.
In a perfect world you could add T3 into the mix but that is proving difficult now in the UK and elsewhere due to restrictions.
Hope things go well with the GP. Personally I would not confuse him/her with information on the rT3. Keep it simple and take the e-mail you have sent for. As someone mentioned higher up this thread - Thyroid UK is featured on the website for NHS Choices - you could point that out if it is mentioned you have been googling and say that is how you found out the information you now have. Make a careful shopping list - keep it brief and to the point.
I haven't had treatment for h pylori yet , I had the call last week from the nurse so waiting for the appointment . I tried gluten free for two months so I'm not sure if that's long enough to tell to be honest with you. I'll have to check on the ferritin level as it's at home And I'm not lol. I take my t4 first thing in the morning with water on an empty stomach. I have no idea about stomach acid , is it a test i can do ? I have b12 every 12 weeks I've not been diagnosed with Pa just b12 deficient although I do recall something about my red blood cells being to big around the time of my diagnosis . To me my body is fighting in so many different levels and im desperately trying to keep afloat, reading when my mind is clear enough to help myself but I feel I'm on my own .
I've been so very ill in the last 8 months I'm literally drowning and my only life raft is my Gp who doesn't or can't help. I'm so thankful for all your input I really am ❤
I think the H Pylori has to be a priority - it needs eliminating. I think I have read somewhere that having good levels of stomach acid helps prevent infections and I seem to remember H Pylori was one of them. So improving stomach acid when you have cured the H-Pylori could be good. Check out Betaine HCL on-line - a supplement/treatment. The Red blood cells indicate the anaemia . So have the Ferritin checked - needs to be halfway through range.
You will need anti-biotics to cure the H-Pylori so ensure your gut is well supported with enzymes to balance the gut flora.
If you feel the 3-monthly B12 jabs are not sufficient then I would top up in between with under the tongue lozenges - or patches - or nose sprays. To confirm PA you need the anti-bodies checked - Anti-IF and Anti-PC - although I have read that in 50% of the cases the results can produce false negatives.
The link above takes you to the PAS website and I have linked the symptoms page. So much other useful information so do read as much as possible so you are well informed when you next see the GP. Information is power If you have neurological symptoms then you need the injections more often. Have you been across to PAS forum here on HU ? - I think Clutter gave you the link in an earlier thread of yours.
I realise how poorly you have been - try to focus on what needs to be done now to correct everything. You are doing so many good things that will help in the LONG term - and keep looking forward to sunnier days
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