Low T3

[Kes61]

Hi

This is my first posting on this site. I was diagnosed with hashimoto's in 2012 and have been taking levothyroxine since then. Am currently taking 125mcg daily and still have lots of symptoms of hypothyroidism, fatigue, hair loss, difficulty losing weight, brain fog, poor memory to name a few. My GP is not interested and only ever says my levels are all normal and does not see the need to take supplements etc. I have just had some private blood tests done, results below.

TSH 0.96m IU.l (0.27 - 4.20, T4 total 106.0 nmol/l (64.5 - 142.0), Free T4 17.10 pmol/l (12.0 - 22.0), Free T3 3.95pmol/l (3.1 - 6.8), Reverse T3 15.0 ng/L (10 - 24), Reverse T3 ratio 17.14 (Normal > 15).

HB 24 nmol/mol (20 - 42), CRP 1.70 mg/l (<5.0), Ferritin 109.0 ug/l (20-150), Magnesium 0.98 mmol/l (0.6 - 1.0).

Insulin 37.0 pmol/L (0 - 88 fasting).

Anti-Thyroidperoxidase abs H 227.0 KiU/L (<34), at diagnosis this was over 1100. Anti-Thyroglobulin Abs H 161 kiU/L (<115), not previously tested.

Vitamin D (25 OH) 95 nmol/l (50 - 175), currently taking 2000 iu D3 daily, Vitamin B12 373pmol/l (250 - 725), Serum Folate 45.40 nmol/l (8.83 - 60.8), currently taking 5mg six times a week.

What do you all suggest I do to try and improve things? Should I increase my levothyroxine or add some T3? my GP would not agree with this approach so I would have to source it myself. Which of these would be most likely to bring my T3 levels up a bit?

I am also looking into taking some additional supplements and would welcome any ideas on the most important ones for me to add.

In addition I also suffer from rheumatoid arthritis so I am also taking Methotrexate, Folic Acid, Sulphasalazine and Hydroxychloroquine. I wondered if the immunosuppression caused by these drugs would be the reason why my anti-tpo antibodies have reduced or is that because my thyroid gland is largely destroyed by now.

I would welcome any views on this as I have been following this forum for quite some time now and am amazed at the wealth of knowledge many people have as I have not found much help or support elsewhere.

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Kes61.

Increasing Levothyroxine dose will raise FT4 and FT3. Adding T3 will raise FT3 only. Either will lower your TSH so you will eventually need to discuss self medicating with your GP. If you have sufficient Levothyroxine you might try increasing Levothyroxine dose first of all.

You are supplementing sufficient vitamin D. Remember to take vitD 4 hours away from Levothyroxine.

B12 373 is unlikely to be deficient but if you have symptoms in b12deficiency.info/signs-an... go to healthunlocked.com/pasoc for advice.

Folate is optimal halfway through range so you could stop taking folic acid unless you are planning pregnancy.

Ferritin and magnesium are good.

The only vitamin I recommend without testing is vitamin C but as that boosts the immune system may not be suitable as you are taking immuno-suppressants.

Antibodies fluctuate so its hard to say whether they have dropped due to say gluten-free diet, low thyroid activity or the immuno-suppressants you are taking.

[silverfox7]

They is room to add more T4 so I would try that and retest after 6 weeks to see what difference it has made

[Kes61]

Thank you for the replies. I will try increasing my levothyroxine by 25mcg daily and retest in 6-8 weeks. My GP does not see the need for this so will not prescribe any additional levothyroxine so I would be very grateful if anybody could let me know where I can get this without a prescription.