This is the bestI have felt in about 5 years as my TSH has been as high as 70......and it has been a struggle to get GP to increase Levo. GP now wants me to drop Levo to 75mcgs as says TSH too low, and whilst he doesn't sanction use of T3, privately purchased, he says it isn't good for me!
Because I had an episode of high ferritin 18 months ago, I stopped all iron supplements and I am now apparently anaemic - BUT not enough says GP to start back on Iron meds. I do get dizziness at times but dont feel particularly fatigued. I am active, have no other symptoms and sleep well!
He also didn't explain relevance about the low readings of Tryglycerides......although last Cholesterol was raised at 7. and it is now 5.2 - consodered high in range. I have not had any alcohol in 18 months and this has dropped since.
My BP is low as I check it myself, I eat Gluten Free and use Selenium. I eat no processed food and have negligible sugar intake but I do eat alot of fruit
I dont want to drop to 75mcgs but am afraid not to take advice from GP - he implied I might get cardiac issues arising and osteoporosis??
Should I get a second opinion? (though doubt I can )
Should I supplement the ion...and what does a 'too low' Tryglycerides indicate ?
Any advice please, anyone......and thanks
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luley
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Could you try eating a lot more iron rich foods? On the other hand, just noticed your haemoglobin is low so some iron supplementation might be good and retest in a few months to make sure you don't overdo it. Your FT4 and FT3 are in range which indicates you are not overmedicated. Could you reason with your GP that if your FT3 and FT4 go over range then you'll reduce your thyroid meds? He could test again in 4 or 5 months to reassure you that all is ok.
I don't really see how, if your FT3 and FT4 are in range, you could develop osteoporosis since being hypothyroid also causes a range of problems such as heart and bone.
Thank you - I might force myself to eat some liver ! GP seems only to look at TSH - which is low - took no notice of the T3/T4 - had that done privately by Blue Horizon
I'm not sure but I think your low triglycerides are due to a lack of "good" fats in the blood. If you don't like liver, eat spinach. A lot of foods are rich in iron. Google "Iron rich foods" supplements are hard on your stomach. Is it possible to see a specialist? An endocrinologist specializes in Thyroid problemsMy dr lowered my dose of t4 to .75 when I went on cytomel. There's a balance there I think
Skykane, cholesterol has nothing to do with fats - good or bad. They are two completely different substances. Cholesterol is made in the liver, and is high in hypos because the low T3 means that the body cannot use cholesterol correctly. Low cholesterol could be due to a problem with the liver, but nobody really seems to know - or care, because they are all so obsessed with high cholesterol! Low cholesterol is also my problem, and I can assure you, I eat more than enough good fats.
Spinach is not a good source of iron because, although it contains plenty of iron, it also contains a substance that blocks absorption by the human gut.
Endos rarely specialise in thyroid, they specialise in diabetes and usually make a pig's ear of treating thyroid. Best not to see one, in my opinion!
There is a balance between T4 and T3 in healthy people. In hypo people you need what you need, and trying to base your levels on those of a healthy person is a recipe for disaster. Some people don't need any T4 at all - I don't take any T4 because it makes me ill, I'm on T3 only. Others feel better when they have a certain level of T4 - but the ratio isn't necessarily the same as in a healthy person.
Yes, I think your answer is spot on Skylane. It's all about balance, because this lady is privately taking T 3, and her TSH is so low, the Levothyroxine reduction seems reasonable because she is so suppressed. My doctor reduced me to 75mg levothyroxine,for the same reason, and I feel so much better for it! It doesn't have to be a bad thing, so I would give it a try Lully xx
Why do GP’s only look at TSH and not the actual ‘energy’ hormones that are in our systems? I think your levels are good and would likewise be reluctant to reduce. 75 is hardly a high dose. I’m on 200 (my levels of TSH are really high - 40+) and not one Dr has mentioned osteoporosis. They only mention it when they are reluctant to prescribe. Convenient methinks.
Hello, I currently take 75mg of levo and 10mcg of liothyronine. Can I ask how you decided to take 25mcg of t3? Was it just increasing dose until you felt better? My endo wont increase from 10mcg. Please find a link I use to look at optimal lab results:-
Hi- I started T3 on 12.5 and increased slowly...I feel 'good' on 25 so have stayed there and now my T3 is well in the range - it never was on just Levo alone
There is so much conflicting advice so I think you should mainly go by how you feel. If you want to take extra iron Floradix is from a vegetable source, but you need sufficient vitamin C to process it so maybe a C vitamin suppliment as well. Otherwise you can only go by your doctors advice or seek a second opinion. A good nutricionist could help you I'm sure. Mine has given me lots of advice as to how to reduce my thyroxine. (which I have gradually done and feel very well still)
I hate when the gp looks at results and automatically says to drop your levo. In my experience rather than dropping a full 25mcg every day of levo. My suggestion would be to drop it every alternate day. So one day you take your 100mcg next day 75mcg. That tends to make a difference and gets you into the "good" range again. You might feel great just now but going for months with supressed tsh ends up making you feel horrible.
I was initially supressed on T3 and then did the alternate days of lowering the T4 and it made a huge difference.
Also forgot to say don't take any iron supplements at same time as your levothyroxine. Wait atleast 4 hours. Always good to take prescribed iron supplements at first as being anemic can damage your heart.
Indeed...I have a history of high ferritin caused by over doing the iron tabs....so Im a bit worried I might again over do it! I am careful to take meds well apart from food or other supplements, thank you
Thank you good advice...I am worried also about my low triglycerides which I have now read can be cause by HyPERthyroid - so perhaps I do need to adjust....I just would have expected my T4 to be higher ? But again, I find it all confusing
I think it would be wise to alternate your levo dose to bring the tsh to a normal range. Whenever my tsh is suppressed I always feel horrid in the end.
If I was you I would get a second opinion. Maybe look for a new GP. I got diagnosed with graves disease. Which is really uncommon for someone of my build. I was very skinny and did not have many symptoms. Watch your toenails.
Take charge of your own medication. Join the FTPO website or facebook page, start taking NDT. Ive done it and feel so much better, more energy, lost weight. My daughter takes it as well and feels much better. Best thing i ever done.
Your doctor is right ,you could end up with a racing heart beat which can in turn if not corrected cause a heart attack. I have osteoporosis made worse because I took high amounts of Levi. And for that I am suffering. If you are not happy with your doctor's advice ask to be referred to an Endocrinologist who will sort it all out and give you sound advice. My humble advice is listen to your doctor on this occasion I believe he is right. Good luck.
Thanks - my pulse is very average - 65 a mob and BP is 100/70 so have no symps but I hear you
I once asked a friend who was a docotor about over prescription of thyroxine and the damage it could cause and he laughed and said nurses take it all the time to lose weight and it is not considered dangerous in hospitals. If your heartbeat started racing you would within a few hours and then you would know you were on the wrong dose.
Hi. I'm just about to reduce my t4 from 100 to 75. I have just lost 3st so I'm thinking that is the reason for my low tsh 0.085. I would look closely at adreanal insufficiency and adrenal fatigue as t3 puts yiur adrenals under more pressure. Personally I believe a mix of t4 and t3 to be far more beneficial than t4 alone.
Hi Luley Afriad I can't help at all with the readings all I get from my doctor is blood tests are fine and carry on with the iron tablets .All I can say is you know your body best ,but if doctor has said lower thyroxine dose there must be a reason for this .I have been on 125 mcg for 18 months or more but my doses do vary occasionally after a blood test . You could try lower dose as suggested and see how you go ? I think you are one of the lucky ones to be prescribed t3 I have never had t3 only thyroxine in the 15 years of being diagnosed .I now have cealiac disease so gluten free forever for me .
I had problems with my TSH and I consulted with an endocrinologist in the US - sent him my results and he said to either increase my levothyroxine a tad or to take vit B12 once a week. I tried the B12 and it did the trick. I don't know if this will help you but it may be worth a try.
Hi having a low TSH is not a good sign. You definitely need to drop to 75mg, by your readings it looks as though your body isn't very good at converting t4 into t3. So taking t3 medicine to boost your t3 levels is also having an overall effect on thyroid function. This over medicating is making your thyroid lazy that's why your TSH is low. If you keep this up you will get sicker, the less medication you take the better your thyroid will heal and start to work for you. You should try to eat more green veg, quit caffeine and look into Chinese medicine to boost blood and iron levels. Your Doctor is right no t3 medication and drop levthyroxin to 75mgs. You should never listen to people who take a lot of medicine or who believe drugs is the answer to health. I put my Hashimotos into remission naturally and reduced Levothroxine by 40%, feels a lot better.
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Doctor just rang me about TSH
Just been prescribed t3 and have a few questions…
Is there a connection between hypothyroid and low ferritin?
West Sussex/Hampshire/Surrey borders endo recommendation please
