Thyroid

[J1228]

New here just wondering if GP should have raised my dose of levo? I take 25mcg diagnosed 2012. Thanks

TSH 5.01 (0.27 -4.20)

Free T4 12.9 (12 - 22)

Free T3 3.7 (3.1 - 6.8)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you only ever been on 25mcg or has this been reduced?

Absolutely yes you need an increase. The aim of thyroid replacement is to take high enough dose to bring TSH down to around one. FT4 towards top of range around 18-20

Ask GP for immediate increase of 25mcg and a blood test form for 6 weeks time to retest levels. You are likely to need further increase.

Do you also have high thyroid antibodies? You need to know. Did GP or Endo ever test these? If not ask that they are tested.

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known as autoimmune thyroid disease). About 90% of hypothyroidism in UK is due to Hashimoto's.

Hashimoto's very often affects the gut, leading to low stomach acid, low vitamin levels and leaky gut.

Low vitamins that affect thyroid are vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. If they are too low they stop Thyroid hormones working.

Have these been tested, if not ask that they are.

If you can't get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw or

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.

Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endcrinologist

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.

You can obtain a copy of the article by emailing [e-mail] if you think you might need it for future reference. It is Question 6 in the article.

[J1228 in reply to SlowDragon]

I have thyroid antibodies of thyroid peroxidase 395 (<34) and thyroglobulin 276.1 (<115) they were done privately because GP wasn't listening to symptoms. I have been on 25mcg all this time

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to J1228]

Is there another GP you can see, if possible?

Take antibodies test results in, explain you were not being listen to.

Ask for immediate increase in dose by 25mcgs

High antibodies means you have Hashimoto's, (Dr tend to call it autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of hypothyroidism in UK is due to Hashimoto's.

Hashimoto's very often affects the gut, leading to low stomach acid, low vitamin levels and leaky gut.

Low vitamins that affect thyroid are vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

If they are too low they stop Thyroid hormones working. Have these been tested, if not ask that they are.

Always get actual results and ranges on all blood tests

With Hashimoto's it is very likely hidden food intolerances can be causing issues, most common by far is gluten.

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms. Very, very many of us here find it really helps and can slowly lower antibodies.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

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

chriskresser.com/why-changi...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

What were previous blood test results?

If you can't get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw or

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.

[J1228 in reply to SlowDragon]

Previous results were

TSH 7.1 (0.2 - 4.2) Free T4 13.2 (12 - 22) Free T3 3.6 (3.1 - 6.8)