Overmedicated?

[Sammie89]

TSH 0.08 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 22.4 (12 - 22)

Free T3 4.2 (3.1 - 6.8)

TPO antibody >1200 (<34)

Taking 50 mcg levo and symptoms are low concentration, pins and needles, periods being heavy and making me dizzy, weight gain,feeling cold, advice welcome

[SlowDragon Administrator]

No, probably you have extremely low vitamin levels

Have you always only been on 50mcg? Or have you had dose reduced? Or T3 started then stopped?

Have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested? Post results and ranges if you have them. If not make urgent appointment to get them tested ASAP

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

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels stop Thyroid hormone working

Then blood tests show low TSH, high FT4 but LOW FT3

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...

Private tests are available

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice for testing everything

Can test just vitamins too

DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results

[Sammie89 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks always been on 50mcg levo

[Clutter]

Sammie89,

TSH is mildly suppressed and FT4 mildly over range but FT3 is low in range so you are not overmedicated.

Thyroid peroxidase 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_...

Ask your GP to check ferritin, vitamin D, calcium, B12 and folate. Pins and needles in hands and feet is often due to B12 deficiency but pins and needles in fingers and around mouth and nose can be due to calcium deficiency. Heavy periods are often caused by iron deficiency.

[Sammie89 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks I supplement these but feel no better so no idea what to do

[Clutter in reply to Sammie89]

Sammie89,

Did you have blood tests to see how much to supplement?

[Sammie89 in reply to Clutter]

Ferritin 7 (30 - 400) 1 iron tablet for iron deficiency

Folate 1.3 (4.6 - 18.7) GP doing nothing about this

Vitamin B12 146 (190 - 900) GP doing nothing about this

Vitamin D 20.5 (<25 severe vitamin D deficiency) nothing given

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Sammie89]

No wonder you feel terrible

Why has GP not sorted this

Make an urgent "on the day" appointment with different GP

See this very similar post for detailed advice

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Once sorted would suggest you complain to practice manager about current GP's negligence

SeasideSusie is vitamin guru. Read lots of her replies to many many similar cases.