Over medicated slightly?

[Hypo51]

Hi everyone just had my levo reduced as endo said I'm slightly over medicated, so from 75mg now 50mg, I don't want to be going backwards, thank you

Selenium 0.87umol/l 0.8-2.0

Tsh 0.25mu/l 0.30 4.20 low

Free t4 22.8 12.0 22.0 high

Free t3 4.9 3.1 6.8

Any advise please

[diogenes Remembering]

Wrong I'm afraid.TSH just below normal + FT4 just above does not spell out a difficulty. Your FT3, the hormone that actually controls health is normal and even a little on the low side of normal. 5-6 on that range would be better.No need whatever for dose reduction.

[Hypo51 in reply to diogenes]

Thanks Diogenes, I do have drs Monday so I will mention this to him then, it's typical coz just started feeling better apart from aches on joints and muscles, 🙂

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hypo51]

I do wish they wouldn't adjust our doses according to the TSH but that seems to be the way they're trained.

We are not in the numbers game but want relief of all our clinical symptoms and that is difficult if they keep adjusting the dose according to the TSH which changes throughout the day anyway. I don't think they realise that and it is from the pituitary gland - not thyroid gland.

I think that's the reason there are so many members on this forum due to the inability of most professionals not understanding anything and we need more doctors/specialists like Diogenes.

[Hypo51 in reply to shaws]

I couldn't agree more shaws, my test was early and stupidly I took my meds before I went not even thinking about it. I could of kicked myself after I took it, I'm afraid it's just automatic now, get up take meds wait before eating or drinking for an hour.

[SilverAvocado in reply to Hypo51]

I usually hide my packet of meds before I go to bed if I know I don't need to take them. Otherwise that habit may kick in

[Hypo51 in reply to SilverAvocado]

That's a good idea, I will do that, haha

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to shaws]

You might want to take a copy of the Dr Toft Pulse article with you as it says that some people need over rnge FT4 and suppressed (yours isn't) TSH in order to feel well and that is OK as long as T3 is in range.

[Hypo51 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thanks angel of the north, I've emailed Louise so hopefully I'll have a copy, I did just find it on here, so at least I can show him that,

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hypo51]

Hypo51 Here's some information to back up your request (I presume) for your Levo to be put back up to 75mcg

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.

Booklet written by Dr Anthony Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist. It is published by the British Medical Association for patients. Available from pharmacies and Amazon for about £4.95. It might be worth buying, highlighting the relevant section to show your GP in support of an increase in Levo.

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)."

Email [e-mail] for a copy, print it and highlight question 6 to show your GP in support of an increase in Levo.

[Hypo51 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks seasidesusie, I tried to email Louise and it told me it was incorrect email, I will try again though, I will try to remember this or I will show him from my phone, I don't suppose he'll like it.. haha, thank you wish I was more clued up, but I'm getting there.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hypo51]

You would be best printing the article.

Louise's email address has had a slight change recently, as far as I am aware the correct address is

[e-mail]

[Hypo51 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Susie, I've sent the email again but yes I will try to print this off, I've not had the notification as of yet saying undeliverable, so hopefully it's gone through.

[Hypo51]

Hi reallyfedup, my b12 last tested was 2000 I have shots every 12 weeks, vit d is being treated on Monday, 20,000 units weekly and 2000 daily I think the level is 36, my ferritin was 36.2 and folate 4.6 I don't have the ranges as the test last done are put in a letter to my gp, hope this makes sense 😌

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hypo51]

With B12 shots it's recommended that we also take good vitamin B complex as well. This will also improve folate

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...

Ask GP for the range on ferritin, or if they can not tell you then insist it is retested. 36.2 Sounds very low. It needs to be half way through range.

Vitamin D - good you are on loading dose. Make sure to keep it above 70nmol and nearer 100nmol is better

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

Many of us with Hashimoto's find it really helps and can slowly lower antibodies

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

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

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

Personally I would insist on staying at current dose, while and until vitamin D and ferritin improve.

[Hypo51 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi slowdragon, what is a good vit b complex, I'm not sure which 1 to get, so much to choose from..

thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hypo51]

I have tried lots

Personally I prefer

Igennus super B complex

2 tablets daily

Am & pm

[Hypo51 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks, are they on amazon with vitamin c in them..

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hypo51]

This one

amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01787...

Split dose of two tablets am and pm

[Hypo51 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks slowdragon, yea they are the ones I was looking at. 🙂

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hypo51]

Start with just one a day in morning

Wait a week or 10 days before increasing

You might feel a bit wired when first start for day or two

[Hypo51 in reply to SlowDragon]

Ok thanks, will do, and do I have to wait four hours after levo?

[Hypo51]

What will the vitamin c help absorb.. I can't eat liver.. wish I could.. but just hate it..and 2000 mg daily?? And for how long..

Thanks

[SilverAvocado in reply to Hypo51]

I've found it easier to take as a small piece mixed in with other meats in quite a strong tasting sauce, like a bolognese or curry.

[Hypo51 in reply to SilverAvocado]

Thanks silveravocado, that's another good idea, I'll see how I get on with that.

[Hypo51]

Oh really, well you learn something new everyday, I will get some today, as for the liver I won't be able to eat it, thanks for the tips though.

[Hypo51]

No harm in trying again I suppose, something's make me sick though

[Hypo51]

Oh ok, I've got a lot of learning still..