Hi I have been taking levo for the last 7 years, but this last year has been an up hill struggle. Usual symptoms no energy, weight creeping up (which is totally impossible to lose), hair loss, aches and pains.
I’ve had bloods tested through Medicheck which I took to the GP, she was unable to read them so sent them to the endo, this morning after 3 months of waiting I’ve had a letter to saying that they are unable to offer advice as they do not test T3.
Not sure what to do next so any advice would be very much appreciated and thank you in advance.
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RajKSV
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Well it could be your low ferritin that is causing some of the problems. If GP won't accept Medichecks test then get GP to do own iron panel and check out ferritin levels. Ferritin needs to be at least 70 or mid-range for thyroid hormone to work properly. You might have to buy your own supplements if GP won't supply but you could ask GP to check levels again in 3 months time, fingers crossed. I take liquid Spatone to top up.
You could take up to 200mcg of selenium to improve conversion of T4 to T3 as the process is selenium dependent.
Vitamin D is better around 100 (UK labs) so you could take a low supplement over the winter and see if GP will retest in the Spring. Take D3 along with magnesium and K2-MK7 for best absoption.
Thank you for your reply. I have been taking 800iu D3 tablets for last two years.
Following is what the Dr at Medichecks sent with the bloods report.
"We note that you are taking this test to investigate symptoms.
Your thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroxine and T3 are all normal which suggest healthy thyroid function.
Your rT3 is elevated and your FT3/rT3 ratio is low which could suggest that you are not getting sufficient free triiodothyronine (FT3) into your cells. There is currently little scientific research into the FT3/rT3 ratio, but some experts believe that this could lead to symptoms of hypothyroidism (slow metabolism) even though your thyroid hormones are at normal levels.
You may wish to discuss these results with your GP although you should note that it may be difficult to get advice and treatment for elevated rT3 or an abnormal ratio through conventional channels.
You have normal thyroglobulin antibodies but raised thyroid peroxidase antibodies, increasing the chance of auto-immune thyroid disease.
Your levels of vitamin B12, folate and vitamin D are normal.
Your CRP level is normal, suggesting low levels of inflammation within the body.
Your ferritin level is normal indicating healthy iron stores."
Ferritin is ok for someone without thyroid disease. But if you have raised thyroid antibodies and low FT3 then it's possible that raising your ferritin levels will improve how you feel and your thyroid function and improve levothyroxine efficacy too. The experience of people with thyroid disease on this forum is that ferritin needs to be around 70 or mid-range to feel well.
So long as you don't raise ferritin levels beyond half way in range what harm would it do to give it a go and see how you feel? Up to you. You will not get GP to pay any attention to the reverse T3 and ratio.
Hi, no I’ve just been taking the D3 on it’s own, did not realise that it may not be absorbed efficiently. Can you recommend any brands of magnesium, selenium and the K2-Mk7.
Also do I need to leave a gap between taking the vitamins? I usually take the levo first thing and the D3 later in the day.
I’m also going to start upping my ferritin levels. Hopefully fingers crossed may start getting somewhere now.
Once again thank you so much for taking the time out to reply. X
SeasideSusie has some useful advice around vitamin D supplementation. Here she mentions that an oral spray is helpful for people with gut absorption issues (common with Hashis): healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
I think in other replies she mentions Bodykind gel capsules for vitamin D.
RajKSV Yes, as ITYFIALMCTT has said, an oral spray is better absorbed - Better You is a popular brand.
If no absorption problems then I did extremely well with Doctor's Best softgels which are always competitively priced at bodykind.com
D3 needs fat to be absorbed so tablets aren't a good way to take it, softgels and spray contain some fat, and D3 should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day.
When taking D3 there are important cofactors needed vitamindcouncil.org/about-v... D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause calcification. Magnesium helps D3 to work.
D3 should be taken 4 hours away from thyroid meds.
See which type of magnesium is best for you here naturalnews.com/046401_magn... Because I need the laxative qualities of magnesium citrate I use a powder form mixed with orange juice - Natural Calm Original Magnesium Citrate powder.
For K2-MK7 you can buy BetterYou oral spray D3/K2-MK7 combo or you can buy a separate K2-MK7 softgel (again, it's fat soluble) and I like Healthy Origins which I have found to be the best value in a good brand bigvits.co.uk/product.php?p...
Selenium I like Cytoplan as it's a small tablet with virtually no odour, most selenium supplements tend to have an unpleasant odour when you open the bottle.
Eating liver regularly is excellent for raising ferritin level. I raised mine from 35 to 91 by eating approx 120-140g lamb's liver once a week. I can't tolerate iron suplements. Last time I tested it was 119 so I'm eating it less frequently now. If you take iron tablets then take each one with 1000mg Vit C to aid absorption and help prevent constipation, and take 4 hours away from thyroid meds and 2 hours away from other medication and supplements as it affects their absorption.
I'd introduce them gradually, particularly as there can be timing issues with iron.
A number of iron supplements are vegan/vegetarian - this is one example (there are others): amazon.co.uk/Fumarate-Absor...
The interplay of nutrients and the timescale of their impact of weight management is certainly too complex for me to be able to comment usefully. I would hope that moving towards more optimal ranges that will assist your thyroid hormones would put you in a better state overall.
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