Latest results Disappointing

[cazza1001]

Hi - Not been on in a while but just had latest bloods back ...

T4 13.0 ( 12.0 - 22.0 )

T3 3.4 ( 3.1 - 6.8 )

TSH 1.05 ( 0.27 - 4.2 )

Results from 5 months back were :

TSH 0.09 ( 0.27 - 4.2 )

T4 15.7 ( 12.0 - 22.0 )

T3 4.6 ( 3.1 - 6.8 )

The biggest change has been WEIGHT GAIN that I have noticed - over 9 lbs in the last 4 months ( and sore eyes ) ... I am taking medication away from food and other meds and had the test first thing having taken no levo!

The only other blip is that I was put on a low dose HRT 8 weeks ago as I was having unbearable hot flushes at night - these have now gone ! but has left me bloated and hormonal ( or is that my Thyroid falling off again ?) ...

I was so hopeful 6 months ago when my doctor finally increased dose from 50 to 100 levo and had started to feel very well for the first few months but now feel I'm going backwards again ?

Do I ask for another increase of ask for endo help to help with metabolism ?

any advice welcome - thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Your free Ts are too low, you need more Levo.

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 and endo in support of an increase in Levo.

What are your current vitamin and mineral levels?

[cazza1001 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi - Thank you SeasideSusie - vitamin levels all good and in mid to higher ranges these days .... Would HRT affect T3 levels do you know ?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to cazza1001]

Vit D - 100-150nmol?

B12 - very top of range?

Folate - at least half way through range?

Ferritin - at least 70, preferably half way through range?

Are you keeping them there with a maintenance dose?

I don't know if HRT will affect T3 levels. I think it can affect absorption of thyroid meds so should be taken as far away as possible.

You might find this old thread about HRT and Levo of interest healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[cazza1001]

thank you !