50mcg Levothyroxine - TSH 0.02 Free T4 22.7 Fre... - Thyroid UK

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50mcg Levothyroxine - TSH 0.02 Free T4 22.7 Free T3 4.0

Amie876 profile image
8 Replies

Hi I am a new member diagnosed with underactive thyroid in 2012. I recently changed brands of Levothyroxine because my endo said I may be able to absorb Teva Levothyroxine better than the Actavis/Wockhardt/Mercury ones and this certainly seems to be the case with my latest bloods. When on the other brands my thyroid levels are almost always low despite being on higher doses so I am confused by what's going on.

TSH 0.02 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 22.7 (12 - 22)

Free T3 4.0 (3.1 - 6.8)

So I now feel like a hypochondriac with these symptoms - cold hands, constipation, pins and needles, low concentration and stamina, dry skin, dry eyes, uncontrollable weight gain, heavy periods, tiredness, splitting nails, headaches. Any advice appreciated.

Thankyou

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Amie876
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8 Replies
Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake

Well, your FT4 is high while FT3 is low so you have plenty of Levo absorption but it's not being converted well to T3 which could be the reason for hypo symptoms. How did previous bloods and symptoms compare?

Have you had vitamin levels tested? Why did Endo think you would absorb TEVA better?

If you have absorption issues, Endo should explore reasons for poor gut function.

Amie876 profile image
Amie876 in reply to Nanaedake

Previous bloods on Actavis below:

Jan-2017 (175mcg Levothyroxine/10mcg T3)

TSH 1.60 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 16.1 (12 - 22)

Free T3 4.6 (3.1 - 6.8)

Nov-2016 (150mcg Levothyroxine/10mcg T3)

TSH 3.86 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 18.7 (12 - 22)

Free T3 5.0 (3.1 - 6.8)

May-2016 (125mcg Levothyroxine/10mcg T3)

TSH 3.50 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 13.4 (12 - 22)

Free T3 4.3 (3.1 - 6.8)

I haven't yet had vitamins and minerals tested, they were due to be done in September 2017. Endo thought I would absorb Teva better since I am lactose intolerant.

Thanks

Angel_of_the_North profile image
Angel_of_the_North in reply to Amie876

Nov 2016 looked like you best results. Did you feel better then and can't you go back to what you were taking then (or even a bit more T3)? Currently, you aren't converting T4 to T3 well.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Welcome to the group

First do you know if you have high Thyroid antibodies? This gives diagnosis of Hashimoto’s also called autoimmune thyroid disease

When hypo, but especially with Hashimoto’s low vitamin levels are extremely common

Vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 all need testing, if not been done

Post results and ranges if you have them

If ANY of these four are low (but can still be in range) then this can really badly affect thyroid hormone uptake

Your bloods can appear to show adequately treated but you remain hypo

If you have Hashimotos then food intolerances are common

Dairy and gluten the most common

Are you strictly dairy free?

What about gluten

Endo’s often have little idea about importance of low vitamins

Read as much as possible on here - you will see your mix of thyroid results but still feeling awful is common

Vitamin supplements are often key to making good progress

Amie876 profile image
Amie876 in reply to SlowDragon

I was due to have vitamins and minerals tested in September but this hasn't been done.

TPO antibodies 305.4 (<34)

TG antibodies 375 (<115)

Thanks

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Amie876

So you definitely have Hashimotos

Very likely gluten free will help

Plus dairy if you know you react

But if not sure just start with gluten free

Push for vitamin tests

Alternatively get private testing

See Thyroid UK website

Medichecks or Blue Horizon most popular

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Amie87,

No need to feel hypochondriac, symptoms don't switch off like a light once thyroid levels are good. It takes time for metabolism to improve and symptoms may lag behind good biochemistry by several months.

TSH 0.02 is suppressed and FT4 mildly over range but FT3 is low in range which indicates poor conversion. You might benefit from the addition of some T3 to raise FT3 but it will further suppress TSH.

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 dionne.fulcher@thyroiduk.org if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Why was T3 stopped? And when exactly.

Was it different endo stopped it than started it

Did you feel it was helping?

Your results in Jan 2017 showed you needed T3 INCREASED, not stopped.

FT3 was still too low

Extremely common for vitamin levels to crash right out when T3 is stopped. Most endo's seem to have no idea.

Essential to get them tested ASAP. Make an appointment to see GP. If they are reluctant to order vitamin tests then suggest you ask for full testing for coeliac, that would not just be a blood test (too unreliable) but an endoscopy.

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