just got my results back fro Medi-checks, but i'm not very good at interpretting what it all means, this thyroid thing is just so bloody complex. 10 years on 100mcg levothyroxine but the last 3 have been hell. Symptomatic again and piling on the weight, even though I diet and exercise, am I right in thinking I may need T3 medication. Thanks in advance for any assistance.
You're probably piling on the weight BECAUSE you diet and exercise. If you don't ingest enough calories, it will have a negative effect on your conversion - and your conversion isn't very good. You then go and use up what little calories you've ingested by exercising. Plus, you use up the little T3 you've managed to make. Eat more and exercise less, that's my advice.
The weight-gain is due to the low T3. And it probably isn't even fat, so dieting isn't going to shift it. But, whilst waiting for your conversion to improve, obtaining a little T3 would help.
You also have low B12 and vit D, which won't help, either.
Well I am so pleased I posted even more so that you have replied, I have today bought myself High strength vit D, but was oblivious to the B12. Note to me buy vit B12.
I Have booked to see a GP but have to wait a week. I don't suppose they will be too much help as they have insisted all along that it was just depression, which I insisted it was not. I will ask about T3 - but think I know the answer before I ask. I am at the end of my tether with it all.
I will source the T3 myself if this my only option, I have a friend that is abroad and can buy me some Tiromel, but would ideally like the backing and guidance from my Dr. As I have no idea on the ratio of T3
I should take with my 100mcg of Levo. One can only ask.
Make sure that your B12 is sublingual methylcobalamin. Don't be fobbed off with anything else!
T3 is a hormone, so the usual rules apply : start low and increase slowly. Start with a quarter tablet - 6.25 mcg - and increase by a quarter tablet every two weeks until you hit one whole tablet. Then hold for six weeks and retest. I very much doubt that doctors know how to do it, either! So, you might be better off on your own. Don't bother about ratios - ratios are for healthy people, not hypos. You need to take as much as you need. Some of us are on T3 only, which just goes to show how unimportant ratios are.
Went to my Dr's appointment today armed with my results and saw a Dr I have never spoken to before. Just as you predicted he rubbished most readings saying they were in range, however he was more alert when I told him I was not looking for anything but support. I told him I have started taking 6.25 of T3. He insisted that he would not reduce my Thyroxine as it was perfect N that i should not/ stop taking the T3 . I could have serious heart trouble from using it.
Then to my surprise he said I am referring you to the Endo, you need some support. He did add it would be no time soon. I am astonished as been asking for appointment with Endo for past three years.
I am still in the same boat but might get some support in time maybe. Maybe not. 😐
Well, that GP has absolutely no understanding of thyroid. Taking T3 will be beneficial to your heart - as long as you don't take too much! Silly man. Still, at least you got a referral. Can you chose your own endo?
No choice or option he basically said don't wait by the neck either as it won't be anytime soon. I am just going to carry on doing as others have done. i will chop my 100mcg of levo down to 75mcg and add my quarter of T3.
Have ordered A high potency active B12 methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin & D3-K2
By the time the Endo gets round to seeing me I hope they will agree I am doing the right thing.
With a little (Lot, ALL) help from my friends. Xx
I don't know what I would do with out the support you and this site provide.
I have been taking 75mcg of Levo for the past two weeks with 6.25. Tiromel. I am ready to introduce another quarter of T3. Do I lower my Levo or stay with the 75mcg?.
My body is still very achy and I am getting hot / cold sweating episodes at night and first thing in the morning. Unsure if this is down to being Peri- menopausal.
Is it okay or something to worry about - medication?
It is not anything I can't cope with and its a small price to pay considering I feel so much better in every other way.
I hope you don't mind that I keep addressing you with my questions.
I would stay with the 75 mcg for now, if I were you. At least until you get another blood test.
You're probably achy because your FT3 is still too low. But, for the sweating, I have no idea. So many people complain of that and, as far as I know, nobody has ever found out what causes it. It's not something I suffer from, myself - quite the opposite! It could possibly be something to do with your sub-optimal vit D3, I don't know.
I have been taking my 75mcg levo before bed, half 12.50 of Tiromel at 6.30am. Vit B12 at 9am and VitD +K2 with my evening meal.
I'm now going into week 5 and adding another quarter of T3 in the afternoon.
My concern is that I have gained weight yet again. losing lots of hair, feet freezing. Still aching but manageable now.
My work uniform is fit to burst which worries me as I cannot get another one for at least a year. Not long got a up size. I have gained 2 stone. I'm gutted as apart from the weight gain i actually feel so much better.
Would it have anything to do with dropping 25mcg from Levo ? or could it be I need more T3?.
Perhaps I am expecting too much too soon. if this is just from changing over, that's fine but I have gained almost 2lbs a week in the last 5 weeks. Its worrying me.
Difficult to say without seeing any labs. But, why don't you try adding the 25 mcg levo back in, and see if it helps?
You say you take your vit D with your evening meal, and your levo and T3 'at bedtime'. Is bedtime four hours after the vit D? If not, you're compromising your absorption.
So, dinner and vit d is 6.30? Is bedtime after 10.30?
Yes, 100 mcg levo should be alright with that amount of T3 - it's not a vast amount. Hold for six weeks when you get to 25 mcg T3, and then test. You might find you need to reduce your levo then, or the level could have dropped by itself, because you're taking T3. The body only holds on to what it wants.
You have high reverse T3, because your struggling to convert.
But also you have very high antibodies, so Hashimoto's
As well as improving vitamins you need to look at the cause of autoimmune issue.
Hashimotos affects our digestive system. Causes low stomach acid and then low vitamins.
Gluten intolerance is extremely common, about 5% are actually coeliac. You might suggest GP does a blood test for coeliac, but it's notoriously unreliable. Only reliable test is endoscopy and it's 6 weeks on high gluten diet first.
There is no test for gluten intolerance you just have to try it.
With Hashimoto's you really need to go gluten free diet for at least 3-6 months to see if it helps symptoms and it may reduce antibodies slowly too, in conjunction better vitamin levels
About 80% with Hashimoto's, find strictly gluten free helps, sometimes significantly
I will speak with the Dr next week about all the readings, i am intrigued as to whether he will explain everything as you helpful people have. I am aware of gluten causing quite a lot of problems, so maybe that is something I can address but I don't think I eat very much in the way of gluten. My diet consists mainly of fish salad, meats & veg. I use coconut oil or fry light sprays I have overnight oats made with chia seeds and almond milk, I eat yogurt and the odd protein bar. I do not eat any bread pasta, biscuits or most flour based foods. I will occasionally eat Pea snacks but they are gluten free and I do like chocolate in any form.
Gluten free needs to be 100% strictly. No sauces, beer, marmite, etc.
Oats need to be milled in gluten free mill and certified (find them in the free from section in supermarkets)
No sharing butter or toaster etc as get cross contamination
Chocolate you might want to look for ones free from soya lecithin. Waitrose own dark chocolates have no lecithin at all and "Divine" chocolate bars are soya free, they use sunflower lecithin as do Bonne Mamman in their delicious chocolate mousse
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