Hi, I am new and I take 100mcg Levo and I was diagnosed hypothyroid 2014. My periods are usually 5 days long but my current one is 9 days long, is this a hypothyroid symptom? Thank you in advance.
TSH 6.80 (0.2 - 4.2)
FT4 13.7 (12 - 22)
FT3 3.2 (3.1 - 6.8)
TPO antibody 673 (<34)
TG antibody >1000 (<115)
GP reduced dose from 175mcg which was being adjusted by endo based
On below bloods
TSH 0.03 (0.2 - 4.2)
FT4 21.1 (12 - 22)
FT3 4.0 (3.1 - 6.8)
Period irregularities can be hypo symptom
How long since you last had blood test for thyroid?
Can you post the results and ranges.
Do you know if you have high thyroid antibodies? This disgnoses cause as autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's
Very common to have low vitamin levels and these can stop Thyroid hormones working
havd you have had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested recently, if so post these results too
Heavy or frequent periods can lower ferritin levels
List of hypo symptoms
thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...
TSH 6.80 (0.2 - 4.2)
FT4 13.7 (12 - 22)
FT3 3.2 (3.1 - 6.8)
TPO antibody 673 (<34)
TG antibody >1000 (<115)
GP reduced dose from 175mcg which was being adjusted by endo based
On below bloods
TSH 0.03 (0.2 - 4.2)
FT4 21.1 (12 - 22)
FT3 4.0 (3.1 - 6.8)
Ok a bit confusing. Can you edit your post using the v on the right at the bottom of your post to give us the date of the tests and the dose? The tests at the bottom, that look quite good, prompted a dose change to what?
You have positive antibodies so have the autoimmune version of thyroid disease. Many writers cover this and there are measures that you can take to help address the high antibody levels. Most of us respond very well to being gluten free for example. Try Amy Myers and Izabella Wentz for lots of info. Or use the search function on here for Hashimoto’s Disease, another term for it.
First results I posted October 2017, August 2017 were other ones and dose reduced to 50mcg
Katrionna,
Your GP should not interfere with your endo's treatment. Dose reductions should be in 25mcg increments not swingeing 125mcg reductions. I would contact your endo and ask for an urgent appoint or send your thyroid results and explain your GP has reduced dose to 50mcg and ask for advice. Endo should write to GP with the dose you are to take and tell GP to stop interfering.
The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.3 - 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 dionne.fulcher@thyroiduk.org if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.
1) GP shouldn't interfere, endo is the thyroid expert
2) if any adjustment was required it should be 25mcg maximum
3) you weren't over treated. GP freaked out at low TSH, but as long as FT4 and FT3 are within range it's fine. In fact like many with Hashimoto's your FT3 was low
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 articles from Thyroid UK email dionne.fulcher@thyroidUK.org. print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor.
Your 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
Extremely common for Hashimoto's to cause poor gut function and then low vitamin levels
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.
Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise
Low vitamin levels stop Thyroid hormone working
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...
Contact you endo and explain GP has incorrectly insisted you reduce dose by 75mcg, you now feel dreadful and bloods are showing you are very under medicated.
You will need to increase dose back up in 25mcg steps. Testing after 6 weeks
Improving vitamins alongside
Gluten free diet highly likely to help
Hypothyroid and depression/anxiety
Newbie with questions!
Newbie. Hashi? Advice please
Why are my levels so bad?
Endo doubts I take my 25mcg levo every day 
