Newbie

[Koco]

Hi should I be on more levo? I take 25mcg diagnosed 5 yrs ago. Thanks

TSH 8.35 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 12.7 (12.0 - 22.0)

Free T3 3.4 (3.10 - 6.80)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

Yes you need dose increased, in 25mcg steps waiting 6-8 weeks for retest of blood levels and then further 25mcg dose increase(s) until TSH is around 1 and FT4 towards top of range around 18-20)

Your GP has been extremely negligent to keep you on such a low dose

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.

Always get actual results and ranges on all blood tests

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.

[Koco in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks TPO antibodies 375 (<34) and TG antibodies >1300 (<115) have always been on 25mcg levo

[shaws Administrator]

Change your doctor as he knows nothing about treating a hypothyroid patient.

There can be serious consequences through his negligence.

When you have blood tests for thryoid hormones it should be at the very earliest possible, fasting and allow 24 hours gap between last dose of hormones and the test and take afterwards. This gives you the best outcome.

The aim is a TSH of 1 or below. You must take care of your own health as your doctor has been negligent so I'd sack him and see someone else.

What a miserable life you must have had for seven years expecting the doctor to know how to treat a hypothyroid patient.

As SlowDragon states your doctor is negligent.

[Koco]

vitamin and mineral results

Ferritin 31 (30 - 400)

Folate 2.2 (2.5 - 19.5)

Vitamin B12 145 (180 - 900)

Vitamin D 20.4 (<25 severe)

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Koco]

When did GP see these results and what have they proposed?

Please see another GP as soon as post

These need very serious supplements to improve urgently

See this reply from SeasideSusie to very similar levels

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Your GP has been grossly negligent if they have seen these results and done nothing

Also post these vitamin levels and on PAS healthunlocked asking about if you need injections to improve B12 levels

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First step is to step dose of Levo up 25mcgs

Start supplementing vitamins. Start with ferritin or vitamin D first, while further testing is drone for B12 and folate

Generally try to start one thing at a time, but these are so lie you probably need to start higher Levo, vitamin D and ferritin all pretty much at same time

Also as you have Hashimoto's then look seriously at changing to gluten free diet

Only 5% are coeliac but over 80% are gluten intolerant

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...

Low stomach acid can be an issue

Lots of posts on here about how to improve with Apple cider vinegar or Betaine HCL

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Other things to help heal gut lining

Bone broth

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...