Newly registered

[Cloej]

I'm 30 years old and have symptoms of hard stool, joint pain, hair loss. Period has also stopped. Sweating with exertion, feeling more cold, skin getting drier. Had none of these problems when on T3. Can someone advise where to get it from. Diagnosed hypothyroid 2012 taking 100mcg levo thankyou

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Cloej.

Members are more inclined to share sources with new members who include some background about their illness such as how long they’ve been diagnosed, recent thyroid results and ranges, and current thyroid medication. How much T3 were you taking when you felt well and why was it stopped?

[Cloej in reply to Clutter]

Diagnosed 2012

Taking 100mcg levo

TSH 8.2 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 13.1 (12 - 22)

Free T3 2.6 (3.1 - 6.8)

Was taking 10mcg T3/200mcg levo and it was stopped due to suppressed TSH

[Clutter in reply to Cloej]

Cloej,

You are very undermedicated on 100mcg to have TSH 8.2, low FT4 and FT3 below range. You need an increase to 125mcg and should retest thyroid levels 6-8 weeks later in case a further increase is required.

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.2 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Cloej]

TSH is almost always suppressed on T3

As long as FT4 and FT3 are within range the dose is fine

Do you have Hashimoto's? High antibodies

If so are you on strictly gluten free diet

What about vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12?

Were they tested when on T3 and what if anything do you supplement

Been tested since T3 stopped?

Very likely absolutely dire now

Ask GP to test,

[Cloej in reply to SlowDragon]

I have been told I have autoimmune thyroiditis is that Hashimotos?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Cloej]

Yes

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's

With Hashimoto's, until it's under control, (And your isn't as your under medicated) our gut can be badly affected. Low stomach acid can lead to poor absorption of vitamins.

Low vitamin levels stop thyroid hormones working.

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten

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, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

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...

[Cloej in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks I have results but no idea how or what to supplement with