Thyroid levels dropping but still 'normal'

[Pink183]

Hi all,

I am sure many of you have experienced similar situations so I thought I would ask advice.

I was diagnosed with Underactive thyroid 2 years ago and put on Levothyroxine which has been fine at 50mg. Over the last few months I have been experiencing symptoms again and went to the GP armed with my list.

Initially i was told by the nurse practionner that they will only test my thyroid once a year. After a further appointment with the doctor I had blood tests. I got told all normal, No further action (that old chestnut again!). Anyway I made an appointment to discuss my results and asked what the numbers were. He didn't give me the exact figures but said 'It doesn't really work like that. You are normal so no further action is needed. Looking at the figures it looks as though you are more underactive than you were at Christmas but that's not how it works, you are normal so no further treatment is needed.' He proceeded to go through my symptoms list and even considered giving me further medication to treat each symptom! 😮 Surely upping my Levothyroxine, a drug I already take, will eliminate the symptoms??

Anyway, I am out on my own. I have gained at least half a stone over the last few months, brain fog is INSANE, I have restless leg syndrome, low iron, dry eyes and fatigue. Basically I am left to figure it out for myself. A locum gp told me the weight gain was my issue and that she knew plenty of slender people with an underactive thyroid!!!!

Anyway, after the rambling I basically wondered if anyone had any top tips or advice for improving my symptoms when GP refuses to help. I have heard that cutting soy from your diet can help as soy reeks havoc with your thyroid.

Any thoughts or advice greatly appreciated.

[shaws Administrator]

The statement "A locum gp told me the weight gain was my issue and that she knew plenty of slender people with an underactive thyroid!!!! "

Well, there have been scientific research that shows that levo does cause weight gain. (I think due to not prescribing sufficient).

Print off a copy and send to your GP.

restartmed.com/levothyroxin...

Then those people are on an optimum dose of levothyroxine (for them) they may even have had some T3 added.

If you get a copy of your blood test results, with the ranges, from the surgery. Post them on a new post for comments.

Also, if you have had recent blood tests for B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate also get a copy and post. If you haven't request these from the surgery.

[Pink183 in reply to shaws]

Thank-you. Will ring the docs and ask.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Pink183]

It is always better to get a print-out as it will also have the ranges. Do this as a routine every time you have a blood test for your own records.

Make a new post for more answers as this one will go further down the list as more questions come in.

[shaws Administrator]

p.s. Was your blood test at the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and did you allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test? If not your results will be skewed.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You are entitled to copies of your own blood test results.

Once you get them put a new post up.

If you also have recent tests for vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 post these too

Plus thyroid antibodies test

[Allmag]

Think 💭 change your doctor 👨‍⚕️

[greygoose]

Did you ask your doctor exactly how it does work, then? Which numbers are dropping? And, if they're dropping, what is his reason for not increasing your dose of levo? The more hypo you are, your more levo you need. I don't really think he has the slightest idea 'how it works'! Time to get proactive, me things!

Firstly, you do need copies of your results : it is your legal right to have a print out, under the 1998 Data Protection Act. If they do not give you a copy, when you ask, they are breaking the law. And, if after a warning, they still refuse, then there are things you can do about that!

Secondly, tell that silly little locum that if she knew anything about thyroid symptoms, she would know that of course there are slender people with thyroid - but that does not mean that people put on weight put it on due to their own fault. Weight-gain is a symptom of low thyroid. But there are over 300 symptoms of low thyroid, and we don't have to have them all to qualify. Some people put on weight, some lose weight, and some stay as they are. And, patient-blaming is not good medicine! But, of course, it's the easy option when you have no idea what you're talking about!

Do you consume a lot of soy? Unfermented soy does wreck havoc with your thyroid, yes. But, if you're already on levo, I should imagine you're past that stage, anyway. But, what soy does do is stop you absorbing your levo. You might have very good levels of T3 in your blood - although, by the sound of it, you don't - but unfermented soy will stop it getting into the cells. So, you will still be hypo. You really should give it up. And, be careful! It crops up everywhere in processed food, as soy oil, soy protein, soy flour, etc. etc. etc.

Some of your symptoms could be caused by low nutrients, because hypos often have low nutrients, due to low stomach acid. So, ask your useless doctors to test your vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin. They won't understand the results - but are obliged by law to give them to you! - so post them on here, with the ranges, and good people on this forum will help you sort them out.