I've been on levo since April 2016 after radio-active iodine treatment. I've been feeling terrible just lately and was sure that I'd gone under-active again and needed to increase my dose. I was weepy, joints aching, my nails are dry and feeling really tired all the time. (Though in fairness, feeling tired all the time has been constant for the last forty years.) Also, I've been trying to lose the weight I put on last year, with some success, but this has slowed down to a standstill.
But the results of the blood test I got is clearly over-active again. I'd already reduced from 125 to about 112 back in the spring, and am now advised to reduce to 100.
I was also advised to take anti-depressants again, but I was unimpressed with the GP's assessment of my mental health (non-existent).
Current result is:
TSH 0.18 (range 0.2 - 4.2)
T4 22.4 (range 12 - 22)
Anyone any other advice for me please?
Thanks, Mary.
Written by
MaryMax
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Anti-D's seem to be the NHS stock answer for all thyroid diseases. Mainly I think because it can't be bothered to get a proper system of care in place for thyroid patients and easier to throw pills at people than help them get better. It seems like you need to reduce your meds a bit but you need FT3 tested to really assess what's happening. Have you had your vitamin levels tested recently? Some of your symptoms could be attributed to vitamin deficiencies.
I've not had any other tests done. I've been trying to remember to take a multi vit and mineral with mixed success as I thought that was the likely direction of travel.
Looks like I'll be on my way to Blue Horizon...........!
Definitely check for vitamin deficiencies and if you need to go private, Blue Horizon are used by many on this forum. Multivitamins are no use for deficiencies. They're fine for well people who just want a minor boost but don't have deficiencies. Most multivitamins include the least absorbable forms of vitmains and minerals.
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. But in your case if you can afford it, perhaps add the reverse T3 test
DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.
All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after.
I wouldn't bother with the rT3 test, if I were you. You can be sure your rT3 is high because your FT4 is over-range. But, what are you going to do about it? The only thing you can do is reduce your levo and add in some T3, and it's very doubtful you'll get that on the NHS! If I were you, I'd save my money to buy my own T3, rather than spend it on an unnecessary test.
It's a a medical emergency caused by an undiagnosed or poorly managed hyperthyroid condition. It may also be triggered by another condition while hyperthyroid - e.g. pregnancy, diabetes issues, infection. Symptoms are explained here nhs.uk/Conditions/Thyroid-o.... Key symptoms include a high temperature, rapid heartbeat and state of confusion. It needs urgent hospital treatment.
Note that until antithyroids are prescribed and kick in, people who are hyper can feel pretty sick without it actually being thyroid storm. This isn't said to deter you from seeking immediate hospital treatment if you think you, or someone you know, may have thyroid storm , but the symptoms are in many ways an exaggerated form of those someone diagnosed as hyperthyroid will recognise anyway.
Hyperthyroid crisis, or thyrotoxic storm, is an extreme manifestation of thyrotoxicosis due to overproduction of thyroid hormones.
Although hyperthyroid crisis usually occurs in patients already known to have hyperthyroidism, it may be the first presentation of hyperthyroidism.
Early recognition and aggressive treatment are essential. Hyperthyroid crisis can occur in patients with a toxic adenoma or multinodular toxic goitre but is more often seen in patients with Graves' disease.
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Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
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