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[Chelsey6]

Hi do results show under medication taking 100mcg thyroxine diagnosed 2012 and feeling awful but doctor says results normal thank you

TSH 3.80 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 12.1 (12 - 22)

Free T3 4.0 (3.1 - 6.8)

TPO antibodies 108.5 (<34)

TG antibodies >1500 (<115)

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Chelsey6 - unfortunately you have one of those doctors who doesn't know much about hypothyroidism. He has said they're normal because they fall within the range, but that's not good enough.

The aim of a treated hypo patient is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it is needed for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges.

Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, wrote this in a Pulse Online magazine article:

"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)."

If you email [e-mail] she will let you have a copy of the article which you can print out, highlight question 6 and show your GP. Then ask for an increase in your Levo to bring your results in line with those mentioned in the article.

**

In addition

TPO antibodies 108.5 (<34)

TG antibodies >1500 (<115)

These high antibodies confirm autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's which is where antibodies attack the thyroid and gradually destroy it. Hashimoto's isn't treated, it's the resulting hypothyroidism that's treated.

You can help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members here. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

Unfortunately most doctors don't know much about Hashi's and attach no importance to it.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

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

Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...