After thyroid removal question

[Rickiaclaysr53]

Had thyroid removed 3 years ago due to mass crushing my windpipe. Dr said with meds I would be fine when regulated. Went to Dr today, level is 8.0. I used to be 220, and now 298. I keep gaining weight. I was told once giving the proper amount of synthroid I would start loosing weight. Why is it taking so long to get me regulated?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

What 'level' are you talking about? Can you please post your full thyroid test results with their reference ranges (ranges required because they vary from lab to lab and we need the range from your own particular lab to interpret your results).

[Rickiaclaysr53 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Sorry my Dr did not give me a paper with full results. Just told me myblevel was 8.0 and needs,to be no higher than 2.0

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Rickiaclaysr53]

Rickiaclaysr53 Well, we can't really help much. We still don't know what 8.0 relates to, can only guess, we don't have a reference range, and there are three important tests when on thyroid hormone replacement - TSH, FT4 and FT3 and ideally all three are needed.

If you live in the Uk you are legally entitled to have a copy of your results. We don't know where you live, but if it's not the UK can you not ask for them?

[Rickiaclaysr53 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I'm living in USA, and am calling my Dr now. I only get 1 test every 3 months for my throid, and not sure what it is cause dr has never told me..

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Rickiaclaysr53.

If by 'level 8.0' you mean TSH is 8.0 you are very undermedicated. The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.4 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[greygoose]

Are 220 and 298 your weight in lbs? I'm afraid you're going to have to give more detail and be a little more precise with it.

How much levo are you taking - I presume you're taking levo/synthroid? Does your doctor only test your TSH?

[Rickiaclaysr53 in reply to greygoose]

Now I am taking 300mcg synthroid daily. Dr said my level is 8.0 and needs to be no higher than 2.0. I guess I'm going to have to do some research

[greygoose in reply to Rickiaclaysr53]

Your level of TSH is 8? You're never going to get any research done if you don't know what things are called.

To have a TSH of 8 on 300 mcg Synthroid, means there is a serious absorption problem, somewhere.

So, for a start, how do you take your Synthroid? Do you take it on an empty stomach and wait at least an hour before eating or drinking anything other than water, and at least two hours before taking any other supplements or medications?

Do you take any other supplements or medications?

[Rickiaclaysr53 in reply to greygoose]

Yes, I take on empty stomach, and wait two hours before eating, then take my other meds. Metformin for diabetes,(A1C OF 6.3) and lisinipril for high blood pressure.

[greygoose in reply to Rickiaclaysr53]

OK, that's good.

So, have you had your nutrients tested : vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin?

This is important for two reasons. The first is that if these are optimal, your body won't be able to use thyroid hormone.

Secondly, if they are all very low, it would point to a gut problem which should be investigated by a gastroenterologist.

Ideally, if you want us to try and help you, you should post results for :

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPO antibodies

Tg antibodies

vit D

vit B12

folate

ferritin

If all your doctor is doing out of that list, is the TSH, then you will have no real idea of your thyroid status. It would be like trying to repair the engine of a car in the dark.

[Rickiaclaysr53 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks so much. I am on calcium citrate +D tablets 3 times a day. My problem is my Dr does not explain things to me, five minutes and gone. I will request this list from my Dr today, she can send them via email.. thanks again for helping me understand

[greygoose in reply to Rickiaclaysr53]

Oh! Why are you taking calcium citrate? Has your calcium been tested? How much vit D is there in those tablets? If your vit D is low, it's vit D tablets, you need, not calcium tablets with a tiny bit of vit D.

[Rickiaclaysr53 in reply to greygoose]

I was prescribed calcium citrate +D (315mg calcium/250U Vit) along with my synthroid when they removed my thyroid.

[greygoose in reply to Rickiaclaysr53]

OK, but when taking calcium tablets, it's very, very important to keep a close check on levels. Too much calcium really is a very bad thing.

And, have you had your vit D tested? Because if you are deficient, that dose of vit D is not going to raise your level. Is it vit D3 or vit D2 in those tablets?

However, taking vit D in any quantity, will increase your absorption of calcium from food. Plus you are taking calcium. So, as well as getting it checked, you really should be take vit K2 - MK7 as well, to make sure that all that calcium goes into the teeth and bones, and doesn't build up in the tissues. That's also very important, but doctors don't seem to know anything about it!