any ideas?

[Pixie2016]

Hi to all, Just joined this site. I have had hypothyroidism for 25 years. Now on 75g. This has varied over the years between 50 - 150g. If anyone can explain these results I would be grateful. The blood was not taken on an empty stomach, and I had taken my dose 2 hours before! Now I know different! The Serum TSH level is 2.27, is this okay? Or should I aim for it to be higher, or lower? I have good health, but always struggle to lose weight. Now on a diet of 800 calories a day (Michael Mosley, not for diabetes, just to lose about 10 lbs I would like to shed). A few years ago I lost a lot of weight on SlimmingWorld, but now find it hard to shift; and for their regime to work for me. Wondered if my dose is too low to move weight? I am finding I can lose weight on 800, about 1-2 pounds a week - which does not seem like much!! Thanking you in anticipation for any comments or advice.

[Marz]

Changing the dose ? - why did that happen ? It can be very disruptive for the body - they are very sensitive. You really need the FT4 and FT3 tested too to understand what is really going on. You possibly have LOW T3. Have you had your anti-bodies tested - TPO and Tg. Also B12 - VitD - Ferritin and Folate - all need to be optimal for you to feel well and for the T4/Levo to work in the body ....

Am sure others will say you need more than 800 calories - but isn't that just for two days a week ?

[Scazzoh]

In theory, TSH should be below 1. Severely limiting calories can reduce conversion from the inactive T4 to the active T3 hormone, so you need to watch that.

[greygoose]

If your weight gain is caused by your low T3, then reducing your calories isn't going to help - you're not losing fat, you're losing muscle! In fact, it's probably going to make things worse by reducing your conversion of T4 to T3, thereby making yourself more hypo.

2.27 is much too high for someone on thyroid hormone replacement. It should be one or under. So, on the face of it, you need to increase your levo. But, before you do that, you need to get your FT4 and FT3 tested to see how well you're converting. No point in increasing your T4 if you can't convert it. And, if your doctor won't test them, you really need to get them tested privately.

That's the first step to getting well. At the moment, you're doing yourself more harm than good. And, stay away from Slimming World! Their diets are based on low/no-fat, which is the worst possible diet for someone who is already hormonally challenged. No fat means no sex hormones, which will have a knock-on effect on your thyroid hormones. Really not a good idea!

[Pixie2016 in reply to greygoose]

Really good advice, I will look into getting the FT4 and FT3 tested( once I know what they are!) Thank you!

[greygoose in reply to Pixie2016]

T4 and T3 are thyroid hormones. T4 the storage hormone has to be converted into T3, the active hormone. The tests are called Free T4 and Free T3.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

See Thyroid Uk website for info on where to get full tests done privately. If your GP won't

Many of us use Medichecks or Blue Horizon Thyroid & vitamin bundle- £99

[Pixie2016 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you! I will look into it.

[Pixie2016]

Thank you to all that answered my questions. I have managed to book another blood test, which will test the FT4 and FT3 as well.