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So many problems where to start? Oestrogen dominant, Reynauds phenomenon and hypothyroidism. Much colder since taking more levo (150mcg) grit in eyes, heavy and painful periods, not sure when it will end any advice would be appreciated

Diagnosed hypothyroid 2013

TSH 5.8 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 13.8 (12 - 22)

Free T3 3.9 (3.1 - 6.8)

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330396
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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

You're undermedicated, you need an increase in Levo. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it is needed for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges if that is where you feel well.

Ask for an increase of 25mcg, retest and increase 25mcg every 6 weeks until your TSH is low and free Ts higher and you feel well.

Good idea to get nutrients tested:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

All need to be optimal, not just in range, for thyroid hormone to work.

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested, do you have Hashimoto's?

330396 profile image
330396 in reply to SeasideSusie

Thyroid peroxidase antibody 476 (<34)

Guessing Hashimotos thanks

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to 330396

Indeed yes, Hashi's.

A strict gluten free diet can help reduce antibodies, as can supplementing with selenium L-selenomethionine 200mcg daily and keeping TSH suppressed.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

Hashi's and gut/absorption problems tend to go hand in hand so low or deficient nutrient levels are likely so get them tested and post results for comment and suggestions where levels are low.

And you need that dose increase ASAP.

330396 profile image
330396 in reply to SeasideSusie

Ferritin 46 (30 - 400) taking iron tablets

Folate 2.2 (2.5 - 19.5) before supplementing folic acid 5mg

Vitamin D 42.8 (25 - 50 vitamin D deficiency. Supplementation is indicated) taking 800iu for deficiency since 2014

Vitamin B12 216 (190 - 900) receiving B12 injections

Been feeling worse since restarting folic acid

bluebug profile image
bluebug in reply to 330396

Ferritin - how many iron tablets per day? And how long have you been taking them.

Vitamin D - You need to take 5,000IU per day of vitamin for 10-12 weeks. Buy your own on Amazon your GP under various local national health guidelines is unable to prescribe you a decent amount. 800iu will do SFA to raise someone with a deficient level.

330396 profile image
330396 in reply to bluebug

1 iron tablet since February 2017, was on 3 iron tablets before that from August 2013 to November 2015

bluebug profile image
bluebug in reply to 330396

If your iron level was not rising then the GP should have spoke to a specialist e.g. endo, haematologist, gastro for guidance or referred you to one of them.

It is a waste of time putting you on one iron tablet per day the normal maintenance dose is 2 tablets per day to raise ferritin. Then to tell you to eat a iron rich diet.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to 330396

330396

Optimal levels are

Ferritin - at least 70 for thyroid hormone to work, better half way through range. Take each iron tablet with 1000mg Vit C to aid absorption and help prevent constipation and take iron 4 hours away from thyroid meds and 2 hours away from other medication and supplements as it affects their absorption. Also, eating liver once a week will help raise ferritin level.

**

Folate - at least half way through range. If folic acid doesn't suit, maybe you need methylfolate.

As you're receiving B12 injections I can't really comment.

You might want to post on the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum for further advice, particularly about the folic acid making you feel worse.

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

**

Vit D - 100-150nmol/L is recommended according to the Vit D Council. 800iu D3 daily will never raise your level enough, as you probably have already realised after 3 years of supplementing. You need 5000iu daily, retest after 3 months.

As you have Hashi's then an oral spray will be better absorbed. BetterYou do a 3000iu dose spray, take 2 doses to give 6000iu daily.

D3's important cofactors - vitamindcouncil.org/about-v... Better You do a combined D3/K2-MK7 spray which you might prefer and you then would need a separate magnesium supplement.

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