Sooooo tired !! Latest bloods please advise - Thyroid UK

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Sooooo tired !! Latest bloods please advise

Embraer345 profile image
11 Replies

Gp wouldn't Increase Levo end of Nov, tsh was below 1 on 100mg Levo

I'm hashis hypo

I'm still super tired so started to take a small does of t3 2 weeks ago

Still no change, vit d, iron, folate ,b12

Are all within range and I do supplement all the above daily

As I'm so desperate to feel better I got some bloods done with medi check and received them just now

So if anyone can advise I will be truly grateful

N xx

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Embraer345 profile image
Embraer345
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Clutter profile image
Clutter

Embraer345,

How long did you leave between last T3 dose and blood draw?

Embraer345 profile image
Embraer345 in reply to Clutter

24 hours

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to Embraer345

Embraer345,

You are very overmedicated then as FT3 will be considerably above 8.29 24 hours after last dose and TSH is very suppressed. Although it's counterintuitive overmedication can actually increase fatigue.

What was your FT3 before you added 12.5mcg T3? I really think you need to reduce dose to ensure FT3 remains within range.

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_...

B12 is low in range. If you have symptoms in b12deficiency.info/signs-an... go to healthunlocked.com/pasoc for advice as they're the experts on B12 deficiency.

Folate is good.

Ferritin is optimal halfway through range so you could either eat more iron rich food or supplement iron a couple of times a week to raise it.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Your FT3 is too high, especially as you left 24 hours not 12 hours.

Your B12 is pretty low, probably not low enough for GP to consider testing for Pernicious Anaemia

Supplementing sublingual B12 lozenges plus a good vitamin B complex daily would improve levels

Ferritin is just about OK, eating liver once a week would help push it a bit higher

Very important, is there's no vitamin D. If not been tested can get via vitamindtest.org.uk £28

As you are Hashimoto's are you strictly gluten free?

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...

Selenium supplements can help too

Vitamin C also to help adrenals

When do you take Levo? Morning or bedtime?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Embraer345

Are you addressing the Hashi's by being strictly gluten free and supplementing with selenium L-selenomethionine 200mcg daily?

What are you supplementing for the low B12/folate/ferritin?

What's your Vit D level and what are you supplementing?

All vitamins and minerals need to be at optimal levels for thyroid hormone to work:

Vit D - 100-150nmol/L

B12 - very top of range

Folate - at least half way through range

Ferritin - minimum 70, half way through range.

Embraer345 profile image
Embraer345

Vitamin d is prescribed once a month via my gp

All other vitamins are just me buying them from chemists

I'm 35 and getting so tired, I struggle to get up in the mornings

I do train in the gym 5 days a week but have no strength to lift heavier than 6kgs doing arms

My health went downhill when my husband was killed in 2015

I also have PTSD and take various meds for that and signed of work long term

I don't really eat enough to warrant to go gluten free plus I'm a widow with no job and 2 small kids and I struggle on esa and widows parents allowance

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Embraer345

Embraer

But what are your nutrient levels and what dose are you supplementing with? Unless your levels are optimal - levels needed given above - then thyroid hormone can't work. And supplements from the chemist usually aren't as good as those bought on the internet, we can suggest good supplements.

What dose of Vit D do you get from your GP and what is your level?

Also, as far as being gluten free is concerned, gluten is a protein thought to trigger antibody attacks so being gluten free should help reduce the antibodies and therefore reduce the antibody attacks. Gluten free doesn't have to be expensive, you don't have to buy special 'gluten free' foods, just prepare your own meals and avoid anything containing gluten. Lots of posts on here, check out Gluten Free Chat under 'Topics'.

Do you take your other meds at least two hours away from your thyroid meds?

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to Embraer345

First thing I will say that I am very sorry you lost your husband two years ago and have two small children to care for.

If you have thyroid antibodies and would like to to go gluten-free you can just avoid food that has flour in it, as far as I know.

Exercising strenuously will reduce your vital T3 and it is T3 only which enables our metabolism to work normally. Our brain and heart needs the most T3.

I think you should give yourself a little leeway and do some gentle exercise so that you don't deplete your T3.

Ask your GP for a new blood test as you may need an increase in dose. The test should be at the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take afterwards. Ask if he will do TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. You can tell him the reason for requesting the 'frees' and read the following link and highlight for your GP why it is necessary for us, if not feeling well, to have the FT4 and FT3.

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

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

JanD236 profile image
JanD236

So sorry to hear about your husband. Two small children to take care of too on top of feeling so tired must be very difficult.

Taking B12 supplements can artificially increase your B12 level. Ideally you would have 4 months clear of supplements before the B12 test.

As someone who has Graves and B12 deficiency caused by pernicious anaemia (both auto immune illnesses) I know that for me extreme tiredness is a symptom of the B12 deficiency when it is inadequately treated.

I’d urge you to have the B12 looked into further. Stop taking the supplements for now and see if your doctor will test you for intrinsic factor antibodies and active B12 (holotranscobalamin). There are other tests that can help pinpoint a B12 deficiency if these tests aren’t sufficient.

There are experts who can help you on the pernicious anaemia/B12 deficiency forum as already mentioned.

If B12 is the cause of your tiredness there is light at the end of the tunnel with adequate treatment (B12 injections). I wish you well.

Embraer345 profile image
Embraer345

I'm so thank ful to this group and the time that people put in to help clueless people like me lol

I really do just want my life back, so deflated not working and having PTSD but to even have the energy to walk the dog or train is highly frustrating

I will try gluten free and defiantly mention the b12 to my gp in the new year

Thank you so much to all of you for your replies

In addition to the good advice you've been given, are you receiving treatment/therapy for your PTSD? It can of course impact directly on both your physical, as well as your emotional wellbeing.

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