Results

[Ellenw]

Hi I am new thyroid results are

TSH 0.03 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 21.8 (12 - 22)

GP says I am over medicated so had dose reduced from 150mcg to 100mcg levothyroxine?

Diagnosed 4 years ago

Thanks

[greygoose]

Doctor was wrong, you weren't over-medicated. At least, not according to your FT4. However, if he doesn't test the FT3, he has no idea if you're over-medicated or not. Because that's the most important number.

Your doctor should not be dosing by the TSH. It is irrelevant once you are on thyroid hormone replacement, unless it goes high. It doesn't matter one jot how low it goes!

[Ellenw in reply to greygoose]

Hi I think free T3 was tested but I don't have this result. GP only gave me the 2 results posted over the phone.

[greygoose in reply to Ellenw]

OK Well, ask him.

[Ellenw in reply to greygoose]

Result in new post

[Ellenw]

Symptoms are

Hard stool

Tiredness

Pins and needles

Hair loss

Puffy eyes and ankles

Weight gain

Feeling colder

Cold hands and feet

Muscle aches and pains

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Ellenw]

Ellen - some of these symptoms are indicative of low nutrient levels. Have you had the following tested, if so please post results, if not ask for them to be done or do them privately

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

[Ellenw in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks they are in a new post as well

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Ellenw Your GP is a donkey! There's nothing wrong with your results, other than your GP doesn't know how to treat a thyroid patient properly. And reductions in dose should be by 25mcg increments, same as increases.

The aim of a thyroid patient The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it is needed for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges when on Levo only

From thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... > Treatment Options

According to the BMA's booklet, "Understanding Thyroid Disorders", many people do not feel well unless their levels are at the bottom of the TSH range or below and at the top of the FT4 range or a little above.

The booklet is written by Dr Anthony Toft, leading endocrinologist and past president of the British Thyroid Association. Available from pharmacies and Amazon for £4.95. You could buy it, highlight the relevant part and show your GP.

Also -

Dr Toft states in Pulse Magazine, "The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.

But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

You can email [e-mail] for a copy of the article, print it and highlight question 6. Show it to your GP and ask him to reinstate your dose of l150mcg if you felt well with those results.

Point out that as long as FT3 is in range you aren't overmedicated, and he hasn't tested your FT3 and you will not accept that you are overmedicated until he can prove it with that test.

[Ellenw in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi T3 was tested but I wasn't given this result over the phone

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Ellenw]

If FT3 was definitely tested then ask for the result with the reference range.

[Ellenw in reply to SeasideSusie]

Result is 4.5 (3.1 - 6.8) put in a new post

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Ellenw]

So there you have it, absolutely no way are you overmedicated. There was no need for your dose of Levo to be reduced.

[Quasarlis]

Once again a GP that hasn't got a clue! This really REALLY makes my blood boil!! When I moved to Somerset from South London and was still suffering with hypo symptoms the doctors here made it far worse in my opinion by mucking around with medication levels, anti-depressants that they clearly did not have the slightest idea about!! Ended up demanding to see a NHS 'specialist' (another person who DOES NOT CARE how we feel, ignores data and lies about medication) and pulls a obscene salary off them for it! I have said this before and meant every word of it! I wish I punched the GP and specialists teeth down their throats and accepted the conciquences happily!! Tell your DR that he is a clueless a-hole!!! And DEMAND ALL results that's been recorded and if he refuses tell him you will be reporting him for mid-conduct and inadequate knowledge and treatment!! THEN knock him out!! 😡😡😡😡