Thyroid 'normal'

[Lizbm]

Hi all. I am experiencing all the awful symptoms of hypothyroidism. I got blood results today. TSH 4.2 Free T4 10.4 which is considered normal. I currently take 50microgram levothyroxine. I also have the antibodies that attack the thyroid. Does anyone know if increasing the amount of levothyroxine will help?

[JS33]

Tsh 4.2 suggest there's room for more levo if you are still having symptoms.

[Lizbm in reply to JS33]

Thank you for your reply. I am going to try get the dosage increased.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Lizbm From ThyroidUK's main website > Hypothyroidism > Treatment Options:

Quote

According to the BMA's booklet, "Understanding Thyroid Disorders", many people do not feel well unless their levels are at the bottom of the TSH range or below and at the top of the FT4 range or a little above.

Dr Toft states in Pulse Magazine, "The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.

But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

Unquote

Dr Toft is past president of The British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist. You can obtain a copy of the Pulse Online Magazine article by emailing [e-mail] . Print it off to show your GP, question 6 is the relevant part. Then tell your GP that as your symptoms are so severe and affect every aspect of your life (point out what - job relationship, social life, whatever) then you would like an increase in your Levo until your symptoms abate and you feel well.

After your increase in dose, you should have a retest 6-8 weeks later and another increase if necessary then another retest, etc, until you feel well.

When having blood drawn for thyroid tests, always book the very first appointment of the morning, fast overnight (water allowed), and leave off Levo for 24 hours. This gives the highest possible TSH which is what is needed when looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction.

**

As far as your antibodies are concerned, this means that you are positive for Hashimoto's. You can help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members enormously. Gluten contains gliadin which is a protein thought to trigger antibody attacks.

Gluten/Thyroid connection - chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

Supplementing with selenium L-selenomethionine 200mcg daily and keeping TSH suppressed also help reduce antibodies.

Hashi's information :

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[Lizbm in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you so much for this very helpful information. I really appreciate it.

[silverfox7]

Always remember to post results with there ranges as they differ from lab to lab. Your results aren't too difficult to comment on without them but when you get to the fine tuning it's not so easy. The range usually is in brackets after the readily. .

[Marz]

Have you had B12 - Ferritin - Folate - VitD tested ? Results need to be optimal for you to feel well and for your thyroid hormones to work well.

Your current dose is really a starter dose unless you are old with a poorly heart ☺