Newbie needs help regarding high doses of calcium taken daily for osteoporosis due to thyroidectomy in 1992

[dragon51]

Hi all

to be honest not quite a newbie as i joined this site 12 days ago. But have to say I have been overwhelmed by the extent of information gained from this forum. The knowledge you girls and guys have regarding thyroid issues is monumental yet quite confusing for me. Regardless, i have been given some sound advice regarding asking GP for a range of blood tests which I propose to do in order to take control of my thyroid problems. Hopefully, I plan to change to NDH treatment in the future.

But still in the meantime I really would appreciate some feedback regarding my high intake of calcium supplements and calcium foodstuff, especially large quantities of pasturised milk daily.

I had a total thyroidectomy in 1992 due papillary cancer and was put on thyroxzine for life. So I am classed as being hyperthyroid rather than hypothyroid. Strange thing is at times my symptoms fluctuate from hyper to hypo! Is this possible?

Question is: CAN CALCIUM LIMIT MY BODY FROM ABSORBING LEVOTHYROZIXE PROPERLY

[bantam12]

Do you have regular checks on your calcium level ?

[Clutter]

Dragon51,

You are hypothyroid. You cannot possibly be hyperthyroid without a thyroid gland. If your TSH is suppressed <0.1 it doesn't mean you are hyperthyroid.

For maximum absorption Levothyroxine should be taken with water 1 hour before, or 2 hours after, food and drink, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements, and 4 hours away from calcium, iron, vitamin D supplements, magnesium and oestrogen.

[greygoose]

Do you take your calcium four hours away from levo?

I don't quite understand why you are classed as hyperthyroid if you have no thyroid. If you don't have a thyroid, it can't over-produce hormone, so you aren't hyper. Do you mean you are over-medicated? How much levo do you take? It certainly is possible to have hypo an hyper symptoms at the same time, but that doesn't mean you are hyper.

[shaws Administrator]

I think your doctor is unaware of the difference between being 'hyper' and hypothyroid.

I think he believes if your TSH is below 1 that you are hyper (to him) when all the time you are hypo and he may not be giving you the quantity of levothyroxine you need for your body to function.

As you have had a thyroidectomy (I haven't) I think you should be given T3 added to your T4. I think that is a kinder way as your T4 may not be converting into sufficient T3. Levothyroxine - T4 is inactive. It's job is to convert to T3 - the only active hormone required in our receptor cells. Too little and we don't feel well at all.

I take T3 only now as levothyroxine made me feel much worse than before I was diagnosed.

Also several researchers have found that most of us when hypo feel much better with a combination of T4/T3. However for some unbelievable and unfathomable reason the 'powers' have now decided that T3 will no longer be prescribed and we have a campaign at present - see pinned post on the right hand column. If you'd like to sign it.

You might find it very beneficial to source your own T3 on a trial basis, added to T4.

You could also have a private test for FT4 and FT3 as both should be towards the top of the range. We have recommended labs who do home pin-prick tests.

The only way most of us have had a life is to 'do it ourselves'. It appears that most Endos/doctors haven't a clue except look at a TSH level.