Thyroid results

[Clio2]

Diagnosed 2011 taking 50mcg levo thanks

TPO antibody 84 IU/mL (<34)

TG antibody 375.3 IU/mL (<115)

TSH 6.3 mIU/L (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 13.1 pmol/L (12 - 22)

Free T3 2.8 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8)

[Nanaedake]

How are you feeling? 50mcg is a starter dose. Most people don't feel well until TSH is 1 or less. As you have thyroid antibodies and therefore autoimmune thyroid disease or Hashimotos it's advisable to keep Tsh low.

Have you got results from vitamins blood tests as people with thyroid conditions are often deficient, especially when undermedicated. Your FT3 is under range which shows you are not getting enough thyroid hormone and it might not be working efficiently either due to low vitamin levels.

[Clio2 in reply to Nanaedake]

Thanks for reply I have low vitamin D and my symptoms are heavy periods, tiredness, goitre, constipation, muscle cramps, bone pain, pins and needles, weight gain

[Nanaedake in reply to Clio2]

Check out @SeasideSusie posts for how to supplement vitamin D. You might not have been prescribed the right amount and get doc to increase Levothyroxine dose by 25mcg and retest in 6 week's and so on until TSH is nearer to 1. Also address low vitamin levels. Post results here and people will help.

[Clio2]

Have been on much more before do I increase?

[Nanaedake in reply to Clio2]

Increase should be 25mcg at a time or you may feel unwell with bigger increases. Decrease if ever needed due to Hashimotos antibodies flare up is also best 25mcg at a time and retest in 6 week's or when flare up has settled or 50mcg at the most if really needed.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Clio2]

So how much were you on and when was it reduced?

Have you been on T3 and then had it stopped ?

You are very under medicated to have TSH so high. The aim is for TSH around one and FT4 towards top of range eg 18-20. Your FT3 is under range

What has GP said, have they increased dose, if not why not?

Dose needs increasing by 25mcgs and retesting after 6-8 weeks.

Would suspect folate, ferritin and B12 are too low as well

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. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, can lower TPO antibodies and help heal gut

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

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

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

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...

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/hypochl...

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...

Other things to help heal gut lining

Bone broth

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Probiotics

carolinasthyroidinstitute.c...

[Clio2 in reply to SlowDragon]

Was on 150mcg levo before but I intend on adding T3 back in so yes was on T3 and had it stopped. Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Clio2]

Who stopped T3 and why

See pages 3 and 5-8

patients-association.org.uk...

And recent statement from BTA

british-thyroid-association...

[Clio2 in reply to SlowDragon]

Endo changed his mind about prescribing it to me