newbie do I need medication

[helenc116]

thank you

TSH 50.8 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 10.1 (12 - 22)

Free T3 2.2 (3.1 - 6.8)

[lady_eve]

I would say: yes, and soon.

With those test results you must be experiencing unpleasant symptoms, yes? Typically these will be otherwise unexplained weight gain, increasing oedema (appearing as a build up of fluid under the skin), poor skin and hair, constipation, and a feeling of coldness all the time.

Wishing you well.

[helenc116 in reply to lady_eve]

Yes I have those

[helenc116 in reply to lady_eve]

also tremor and weight loss and poor appetite, flaky nails, hair falling out, memory loss

[helenc116]

I had TSH below range 0.02 4 months before (0.2 - 4.2) so how does that work?

[Clutter in reply to helenc116]

Helenc116,

Are you taking Carbimazole?

[helenc116 in reply to Clutter]

No

[Nanaedake in reply to helenc116]

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested? TPO Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies and TgAb Thyroglobulin? You need those testing. Thyroid antibodies or autoimmune thyroiditis otherwise known as Hashimotos can cause fluctation of thyroid hormone.

Free T4 10.1 (12 - 22), Free T3 2.2 (3.1 - 6.8) current results - Your Frees are under range showing you are hypothyroid and need thyroid medication.

What were your FT3 and FT4, 4 months ago?

[helenc116 in reply to Nanaedake]

TPO antibody 675 (<34)

TG antibody 366.3 (<115)

[helenc116 in reply to Nanaedake]

FT4 22.9 (12 - 22)

FT3 4.5 (3.1 - 6.8)

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Helenc116.

You do need treatment because you are overtly hypothyroid with such high TSH and FT4 and FT3 below range.

Hasn't your GP practice contacted you and asked you to make an appointment with your GP or to collect a prescription for Levothyroxine?

[lady_eve in reply to Clutter]

Happy to see you on this one, Clutter - I started out to help, but am feeling a bit out of my depth with the widely differing TSH results HelenC116 is quoting.

[helenc116 in reply to Clutter]

No he hasn't

[Clutter in reply to helenc116]

Helenc116,

How long have you had the results?

[helenc116 in reply to Clutter]

2 weeks

[Clutter in reply to helenc116]

Helenc116,

Not on! You should make a strong complaint.

[lady_eve]

Sorry you've been feeling so unwell.

I'm reluctant to answer you in too much detail, because I'm afraid of misleading you. I'm relatively new to HU, too. I've seen some comments that in the early stages of thyroid dysfunction the thyroid can yo-yo between being underactive and overactive.

However, was that very low TSH of 0.02 found while you were on medication? What were the FT4 and FT3 at that time? I'm wondering whether your doctor panicked that TSH was too low and took you off treatment, resulting in the upswing to 50.8 you mentioned originally.

To be honest, though, I'm hoping someone else will pick this up - perhaps Clutter , helvella or greygoose would be able to help more?

Wishing you well.

[helenc116 in reply to lady_eve]

Not on medication and TSH was 0.02 4 months before these bloods

[Clutter in reply to helenc116]

Helenc116,

As lady_eve said, some patients can experience transient hyperthyroidism a few months before becoming very hypothyroid. It can be a sort of thyroid 'swan song' or more likely an autoimmune attack on the thyroid which causes destruction of the thyroid cells which dump hormone into the blood stream as they die off.

Make an appointment to see your GP and get a prescription for Levothyroxine. NICE recommends 50-100mcg starting dose for patients <50 without heart disease. cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

You should have a follow up thyroid test 4-6 weeks after starting Levothyroxine. Ask your GP to check thyroid peroxidase antibodies if they've not already been tested. Arrange an early morning and fasting (water only) blood draw when TSH is highest, and take Levothyroxine after your blood draw. You will probably need several dose increases over the next few months until TSH is 0.2 - 1.0 with FT4 and FT3 at least halfway through range.

For maximum absorption Levothyroxine should be taken with water 1 hour before, or 2 hours after, food and drink, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements, and 4 hours away from calcium, iron, vitamin D supplements, magnesium and oestrogen.

It takes 7-10 days for Levothyroxine to be absorbed before it starts working and it will take up to six weeks to feel the full impact of the dose. Symptoms may lag behind good biochemistry by several months.

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

I would make a written complaint to the practice manager that whoever reviewed your thyroid results failed to contact you to tell you that you need treatment.

[helenc116 in reply to Clutter]

TPO antibody 675 (<34)

TG antibody 366.3 (<115) are they these I'm not sure thanks

[Clutter in reply to helenc116]

Helenc116,

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_...

[Hidden]

Sounds like Subacute Thyroiditis maybe, you may need cortisone and check levels often.