Bloods normal but feeling symptoms

[L_k_h]

Hi

I suffer with an under active thyroid and have done for nearly 5 years. I now take 100mcg of levothyroxine which had increased from 25mcg over the years. I've just had a blood test and all tests have come back normal but I'm still really struggling with symptoms. Does anyone have and advice or tips on where to next with this

Thank you

[Clutter]

L_K_H,

It will help members to advise if you post your blood test results and ranges.

[Katepots]

Post the results so we can see, what your Dr is telling you is normal won't be sadly, if you are still having symptons you will not be adequately medicated or other vitamins may be low.

You need TSH under 2 but ideally under 1 to feel well.

Folate Ferritin B12 and Vit D should be tested.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Very important to check vitamin D, folate, B12 & ferritin. Common when hypo that these can be low & we need high in range results

Also do you know if you have high Thyroid antibodies? Ever been tested. If high then you have autoimmune thyroid or Hashimotos. (Most common reason for being hypo) If you do, then very common to have leaky gut, low stomach acid and/or gluten intolerance.

See Thyroid Uk website for lots of info including where to get full testing if GP won't

Also very good website for Hashimotos is The Thyroid Pharmacist

[L_k_h in reply to SlowDragon]

I have been told that my body produces antibodies that have attacked my thyroid because of my TSH level?

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to L_k_h]

Eh? TSH level has nothing to do with antibodies. Yes, antibodies mean that, when untreated, your TSH level will rise as your thyroid is destroyed, but the statement you gave is nonsense. Your TSH may fall during periods of destruction as lots of thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) are released so you need less TSH.

The only way you cna knwo if you have antibodies is by having them tested TPO and TG are the two types. You can be hypo without having anttbodies.

I do wish doctors would stop "dumbing things down" for the masses and tell the truth (or perhaps they don't understand it themselves which is why they can't explain it to others).

[L_k_h]

Thank you for all your responses! Will look in to all of them tonight

[shaws Administrator in reply to L_k_h]

Welcome to our forum,

I am sorry you are hypothyroid and when you have a blood test always get a print-out from the surgery and make sure the ranges are stated. Ranges are important as labs differ.

When you get a blood test for thyroid hormones it should be at the very earliest possible time, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose and the test and take afterwards. This allows the TSH to be at its highest as it drops throughout the day and may mean the doctor wont reduce your hormones unnecessarily.

Levothyroxine should be taken with one full glass of water and wait about an hour before eating. Food can interfere with the uptake of hormones. Take levothyroxine with one full glass of water first thing as wait about an hour befor eating. Food interferes with the uptake of the hormones. Ask GP to test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as we are usually deficient so everything has to be optimum.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Relatively recent research suggests the high TPO antibodies are due to leaky gut & digestive issues. Very many of us with Hashimotos turn out to have food intolerances- usually gluten, but can be dairy or tomatoes/potatoes.

You don't have to have any gut related symptoms to still get significant reduction in symptoms by going gluten free. Only way to know is to try it for 3-6 months. It does need to be 100% to work

You will see lots of posts on here of people saying how their antibodies have fallen slowly since being gluten free.

Best to avoid soya too with thyroid issues.

[L_k_h]

Just picked up my results.

Serum free t4 level : 17pmol/L

Serum TSH level : 3.5 mu/L

These are the only tests they did