Hypothyroidism

[sathyadev]

I have hypothyroid and underweight, now taking 88mcg of levothyroxine

My test results

TSH - 1.53uIU/mL (standard range 0.34 - 4.82 uIU/mL)

T3 - 83 ng/dL (standard range 87 - 167 ng/dL)

free T4 - 1.27 ng/dL (standard range 0.59 - 1.61 ng/dL)

My t3 is low and my doctor wants me to continue my 88mcg medication and 5' 1 height and weigh 99 lbs, would like to put on some weight. currently nursing my one year old baby once a day.

please help with the dosage and weight

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You are under medicated and need dose increase

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

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

You can obtain a copy of the article by emailing [e-mail] print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor.

Do you also have high thyroid antibodies? This is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

With Hashimoto's, until it's under control, our gut can be badly affected. Low stomach acid can lead to poor absorption of vitamins. Low vitamin levels stop thyroid hormones working.

Have you had B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D tested? If so post results and ranges

[sathyadev in reply to SlowDragon]

ok ,When the dose is increased do get fatigue so as per my request she reduced it, haven't tested for vitamin D ,B12,folate and ferritin. what is the name of the article i need to mail for ?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to sathyadev]

Article by Prof Toft in Pulse magazine

You might need to increase very small amount.

Get vitamin tests first, this may be the problem

Essential to know if you have high antibodies, ask GP to test.

If antibodies are high then consider trying strictly gluten free diet. Many find it helps significantly

Could consider testing for DIO2 gene variation too. But get vitamins and antibodies tested first

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

Or you may need to look at adding small dose T3. Would need to be via an endocrinologist as GP's not allowed to prescribe now. Probably have to be private consultation

Email Louise at a Thyroid UK for list of recommended thyroid specialists [e-mail]

[sathyadev in reply to SlowDragon]

Sure will do, thank you so much

[sathyadev in reply to SlowDragon]

sorry, forgot to thank you