Levothyroxine over treatment??

[SS46]

Hi all, would appreciate your thoughts people. Was diagnosed in 2006 with hypothyroidism and on levo since diagnosis. Went gluten free 12 months ago and seeing improvements in health. (I think I have Hashimoto's as my sister has raised antibodies and takes Levo but my doc denies this).

My question is my TSH is currently 0.01 and my doc says I am massively overtreated but because I am finally starting to feel better and don't want to reduce my dose yet which is 150mcg daily he is leaving it as it is...for now.

Should I stay with how I feel and and contact him if I start with hyper symptoms or reduce now and run the risk of feeling crap again

Thanks all....

[SlowDragon Administrator]

TSH alone tells your GP nothing

You need FT3, FT4, both antibodies and vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin tested

As long as FT3 and FT4 are in range AND vitamins are at very good levels you aren't over treated

When you have all these results you could say to GP you might consider his suggestion.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and do not take in 24 hours before, delay until immediately after blood test

[SS46 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks. I thought the TSH result didn't mean a lot. I recently had a course of folate and vit d as these were low. They are now normal. My b12 was also normal.

[greygoose in reply to SS46]

What do you call 'normal'? 'Normal' is an opinion, not a scientific fact. Do you have the actual numbers?

When a doctor says 'normal', he just means 'in range'.

[SS46 in reply to greygoose]

The TSH level he gave was 0.01.

[greygoose in reply to SS46]

Yes, I saw that, but as SlowDragon said, that is meaningless without the other tests.

No, I was talking about the B12, etc. You said they were normal. But, if that's what your doctor told you, without showing you the results, he could be very wrong. Never just take his word for it. Doctors know nothing about thyroid or nutrition. Always ask for a print-out of the results and check them for yourself.

[SS46 in reply to greygoose]

Ah ok. I understand you. Will do that in future. Thanks.

[greygoose in reply to SS46]

Well, in that case, it might be a good idea to get your B12 etc. retested. Things don't stay static, nutrient levels can change rapidly. Best to stay on top!

[Wearejames in reply to SS46]

Although if you've had thyroid cancer TSH is the one and only thing they are interested in looking at.

I'm on 250mcg thyroxine to keep TSH as low as it will go. GP never been interested in where other levels are.

I'd agree with Print1972 . If you feel good on it stay where you are.

[Saggyuk]

Yes, get copies of all your results and post as what docs class as normal is often far from normal or optimal. You can request a printout of your results from your GPs receptionist, they are not allowed to say no.

It could be but wouldn't want to say without at least a T4 level. Once I went gluten free, I had to reduce my dose by about a third as could absorb and process the meds better and had less resistance to them.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

B12 has a particularly wide range - typically 210-780. Gp would say result was "normal" if the test result was 215 or 775. In reality, with Hashimoto's/on Levo we seem to need B12 at least above 500, and many of us need it higher, often above top of range

Folate and B12 work together. Supplementing folic acid can mask B12 issues.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/179...

Again what is "normal" mean for your folate and especially vitamin D since supplementing

Some people have trouble processing folic acid and may need folate instead.

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

How much vitamin D do you have to take daily to maintain good level, aiming to be at least above 70nmol/L and again many find test result nearer 100nmol/L seems better

Do you supplement magnesium too as it's cofactor with vitamin D

easy-immune-health.com/magn...

[SS46 in reply to SlowDragon]

The GP had me on 3 months course of VitD at 30,000iu (I think - I remember it was a very high dose) 3x weekly. I now take a daily over counter dose to keep topped up. Since I came off the GP dose I take selenium and magnesium tabs too.

[Print1972]

If you feel good, then stay where you are.