New here why are thyroid levels still low

[Emerald68]

TSH 3.90 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 12.8 (12 - 22)

Free T3 4.1 (3.1 - 6.8)

Feel awful taking 200mcg levo and 10mcg t3 diagnosed in 2012. Thankyou

[Clutter]

Emerald68,

You are undermedicated. The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.2 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

[shaws Administrator]

For someone, diagnosed five years ago, and taking 200mcg of levo and 10mcg of T3, I don't think you are converting the levo to sufficient T3 as your FT4 is the bottom of the range as is your FT3. Your TSH is also high and should be 1 or below. Yours is nearly 4.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

You may feel better if your doctor or endocrinologist prescribes a 3:1 dose combination of T4/T3 as research has shown that combination works well. To try to calculate, just as an example, 75mcg of T4 with 25mcg T3 or 150mcg of T4 with 50mcg T3. I shall give you a link. Go to page 80 and read the top left-hand column and discuss with your Endo/doctor.

tpauk.com/images/docs/reduc...

[greygoose]

Your TSH is high, and your Frees are low, considering the dose you're on. How do you take your hormone? On an empty stomach, one hour before eating, etc.? Do you have low stomach acid? Do you take PPIs?

[Emerald68 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks I take thyroid hormone on an empty stomach several hours before eating and I think I have low stomach acid. I also take PPIs, GP said if I don't take the PPIs I will never get my digestion sorted.

[greygoose in reply to Emerald68]

You will never get your digestion sorted if you do take them! PPIs are for people with high stomach acid. It is far more likely that you have low stomach acid because you are hypo. Doctors don't know the difference because the symptoms are the same. PPIs just make things worse, because they lower the acid even further, when what your really need is to raise it, with something like apple cider vinager or betain and pepsin.

So, that explains why your levels are so low.