Symptoms list

[Jax2345]

Pins and needles

Tiredness

Muscle cramps and spasms

Constipation

Heavy and irregular periods

Dry skin

Eczema

Weight fluctuating

Loss of appetite

Goitre

Joint pain

Dry eyes

Photosensitivity to the sun

Thank you

[Jax2345]

Taking 50mcg levothyroxine.

Diagnosed 2011.

TSH 4.3 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 15.3 (12 - 22)

Free T3 3.7 (3.1 - 6.8)

[Jax2345]

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies >1500 (<34)

Thyroglobulin antibodies 289.3 (<115)

[Jax2345 in reply to Jax2345]

Ferritin 55 (30 - 400)

Folate 1.7 (2.5 - 19.5)

Vitamin B12 206 (190 - 900)

Vitamin D 56.3 (50 - 75 suboptimal)

Taking supplements

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jax2345]

You are very under medicated. Have you always only been on 50mcg dose? Or has it recently been reduced

The dose should be enough to lower TSH to around one. And FT4 near top of range

Ask GP to ok a 25mcg dose increase ASAP - retest thyroid blood test in 6 weeks after dose increase.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and if taking Levo don't take it in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after.

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Your vitamins are also far too low despite supplementing because you are under medicated

What supplements are you actually taking and what does your GP propose to do

You need full testing for Pernicious Anaemia and probably B12 injections to increase very low B12 even if not got PA

Vitamin D, if you are just taking a standard maintenance dose of 800iu that is not going to be enough

Your antibodies are very high this is Hashimoto's, (also known as autoimmune thyroid disease). About 90% of hypothyroidism in UK is due to Hashimoto's.

Hashimoto's affects the gut, very often leading to low acid, low vitamin levels and leaky gut.

As you have Hashimoto's then hidden food intolerances may be causing issues, most common by far is gluten. Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms and eventually start to lower antibodies. Very very many of us here find it really helps and is essential to be gluten free

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

Low stomach acid can be an issue

Lots of posts on here about how to improve with Apple cider vinegar or Betaine HCL

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Other things to help heal gut lining

Bone broth

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[Jax2345 in reply to SlowDragon]

Sorry

supplements I have written on the other post

Dose was 25mcg in February this year but previously 175mcg levothyroxine and 10mcg t3 which I felt well on

All bloods done fasting and early morning and I leave 24 hours between each dose and blood draw

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jax2345]

So you are going to have to either

A) change GP and endo

or

B) self medicate

No doubt you were perfectly medicated at the higher dose.

There have been many many people turn up here recently having had same treatment

You will need to be 100% gluten free to help reduce Hashimoto's antibodies and supplements as per SeasideSusie recommendation

When we take T3 it suppresses TSH and then inexperienced or idiot endo panics and lowers doses

If FT3 & FT4 are still within range dose is correct

Email Louise at Thyroid Uk for list of recommended thyroid specialists

[e-mail]

[Jax2345 in reply to SlowDragon]

TSH was 3.86 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 17.2 (12 - 22)

Free T3 4.7 (3.1 - 6.8)

Endo said at the time TSH was above what she wanted but did not want to increase and said symptoms are probably not thyroid

I did increase on my own to 175mcg and 20mcg t3

TSH <0.02 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 20.6 (12 - 22)

Free T3 5.5 (3.1 - 6.8)

Have lingering symptoms but since GP is now saying symptoms are now mental related I have just given up trying to sort the thyroid levels

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jax2345]

That result neither FT3 and FT4 neitherwere over range.

Did you leave 24 hours between taking T4 and blood test and 12 hours for T3

Many people have to have suppressed TSH before feeling adequately treated. As long as FT4 and FT3 are within range which your tests were.

But you may well gave felt better if also gluten free and vitamins may not havd been as good as should be.

Essential to get vitamins good first, and gluten free for many of us

[Jax2345 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I left 24 hours for levo and 12 for T3 before blood draw

[Jax2345 in reply to SlowDragon]

Sorry 20mcg t3 not 10mcg

[silverfox7]

Shocking! No common sense!!!!