Is it possible to have a test done to see how much Thyroxine you actually absorb? All though levels are "normal" still have very bad chronic fatigue and joint pains in legs.
Also, can I double check that if your levels are "normal" & taking Thyroxine, should you still be symptomatic?
Hi - but what is the definition of "normal". most GPs will apparently tell you that anywhere in the range is normal but this may be very far from optimum. For instance, TSH ranges typically top out around 4, but most hypos will feel better at around or even under 1 and anything over 2 means your thyroid is struggling. So never believe "normal", always ask for a copy of your results and post them here to seek proper advice.
The consultant has written a letter which includes the results, I'm just waiting on it coming through the post. But in the meantime just wondered if there was a test for absorbing Thyroxine. He's not keen for doing anything else despite the ongoing symptoms.
Mags_23,
The blood tests you have had will show whether you are absorbing Levothyroxine. If you were not absorbing it your TSH would be high and FT4 and FT3 low.
There is a urine test available somewhere, but when you post the results I wouldn't be at all surprised to find you are actually under-medicated with the typical nutritional deficiencies. It is this which is very likely to be causing your ongoing symptoms.
Hi
I did the 24 hour urine test which shows if the T4 in Levothyroxine is converting to T3
Mine showed I was converting reasonably well, but I was not taking enough of it.
I don't think you can order the test yourself, I did my first one through a Nutritionist and second through TPAUK, you can become a member and do it through them.
gdx.net/uk/product/urine-th...
You can do the Genova urine test through ThyroidUK.
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
I did not know you could the Genova test through ThyroidUk,
I must make a note of it for another time.
Mags_23 Is this your mum or yourself?
For thyroxine to be absorbed properly, vitamins and minerals all need to be at optimal levels, not just 'in range' which is all doctors look for. So have these been tested? You need
Vit D
B12
Folate
Ferritin
Joint pains can be due to low Vit D, low ferritin can cause fatigue.
Then you need to make sure Levo is taken correctly, ie on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food, with water only, no tea, coffee, milk, etc. Two hours away from any other medication and supplements, and four hours away from iron, Vit D, magnesium and calcium.
Plus you need to know if you have low stomach acid. This prevents absorption and needs addressing, many Hypos have low stomach acid.
When Levo dose is optimal that is when symptoms should abate. The levels can be different for each of us, although most Hypos need a TSH of 1 or below with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their respective reference ranges.
It's my Mum. I'm totally at my whits end!!! My Mum had a really bad choking fit on sunday, to the point where she couldn't get a breath & i thought i was going to have to call an ambulance! The doc tested her T3, foned for results & the receptionist told me it was "normal". I don't know what tests where done. So I thought I'd give the consultant a fone to see if he could give any advice. His advice eas that if she was feeling tired to go back to the GP (which i had done) he said he easnt happy to uncrrase her Thyroxine (currently taking 50mg) as it could cause problrms if she takes too much & make her even more tired!! My gut feeling is that shes not gettung enuff, as when she previously was on 100mg she was great. But since they have been reducing it, she just gets more tired. Im a bit reluctant to say to her to self medicate, due to what previously happened yo her.
Mags_23 As has been mentioned to you before, don't accept 'normal', it means absolutely nothing. You must get the result of the test with it's reference range.
I see your mum is 74. I think what you need to do, as long as mum is happy about it, is to always be there whenever she sees the doctor, and take charge in a gentle and diplomatic way. You tell the GP how your mum is suffering, what her symptoms are, and generally speak as though it was yourself with this problem.
You can always say that you have taken advice from ThyroidUK, which is NHS Choices recommended source of information for thyroid disorders, and it has been suggested that all the following tests are needed
TSH
FT4
FT3
Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies
Thyroglobulin antibodies
Vit D
B12
Folate
Ferritin
Tell him that if he can't arrange for ALL of them to be done then you will arrange for them to be done privately and will he allow the blood draw to be done there. If not it can be done by fingerprick but if you don't think mum will be happy with that Blue Horizon offer a home phlebotomy service or you could try your local hospital.
Also tell him that you want copies of her results, with their reference ranges. Be assertive, refuse to accept 'normal', 'fine', 'OK', or any such nonsense. You want the numbers nothing less. It is our legal entitlement to have them and as long as mum is there she can ask for them herself if they won't accept you asking for them. Then post them on here for members to comment.
Very recently, two people close to me, who are in their 70s, have both been diagnosed with Pernicious Anaemia after complaining about fatigue and other symptoms, and I suggested they ask for B12 and other vits and mins to be tested. So you can see how important they are.
I see your mum has recently been diagnosed with depression and prescribed citalopram. Well, depression is a symptom of Hypothyroidism, so if she is under medicated this could be the cause, so optimising her Levo could help here. And optimising vitamins and minerals will help thyroid hormone to work properly.
Does she take any other medication which might affect absorption of Levo? Omeprazole maybe? Citalopram could very well be affecting the Levo's absorption.
Does she take her Levo on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food, with a glass of water only, no tea, coffee, milk, etc? Does she take it a couple of hours away from other medication and any supplements she might already be taking?
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