Symptoms and I take Levothyroxine.

[Sheffield6]

It looks like an under-active thyroid can be the cause of

Slow heartbeat, Low temperature, Raised cholesterol , Low blood pressure , Feeling tired and Tremor.

And I've got them all.

[Sheffield6]

I'm also gluten intolerant. No symptoms.

TSH level 2.8 miu/L with Levothyroxine.

[greygoose in reply to Sheffield6]

Then you are under-medicated. How much levo do you take?

[Sheffield6 in reply to greygoose]

The equivalent of 112.5 mg. Thanks.

[greygoose in reply to Sheffield6]

Sorry, what does that mean? The 'equivalent' of 112.5 mg? Surely, you mean mcg. 112.5 mg of levo would be a huge dose. But, do you mean you are taking some levo and some T3? Or are you taking NDT?

No matter, whatever you're taking, you are under-medicated to have a TSH of 2.8 plus all those symptoms. You need an increase in dose.

But, I will just say that, if you want people to help you, you have to give all the details. Sorry, but we don't have crystal balls we can gaze into to find the solution, we just have to weigh up the facts. And to be able to do that, they have to be clear and concise.

In answer to what appears to be your question - although even that isn't clear - then, yes, Slow heartbeat, Low temperature, Raised cholesterol , Low blood pressure , Feeling tired and Tremor and even gluten-intolerance, can all be due to under-active thyroid. And, with a TSH of 2.8, you are still hypo.

[Sheffield6 in reply to greygoose]

I take 100mg every day and 25mg alternant days. Sorry about the lack of details. I've only recently took it more seriously because of the increase in symptoms.

[greygoose in reply to Sheffield6]

Ah, ok. So, that is quite a small dose. How long have you been on that? Does your doctor retest you six weeks after every change in dose, the way he ought to? What does he say about these results? You really ought to push for an increase of 25 mcg. I really don't understand these doctors that give these complicated half-increases of so much on one day, and so much the next, when the patient is obviously nowhere near her optimal dose.

Was anything other than TSH tested?

[Sheffield6 in reply to greygoose]

Only TSH last time. I've been on the same dose for about 10 years. My blood tests don't change while my symptoms get worse.

[greygoose in reply to Sheffield6]

I think you need to change your doctor! He's being very negligent. Can you post any of your previous results for FT4 and FT3? Did he every test antibodies?

[Sheffield6 in reply to greygoose]

I did have a FT4 test a few years ago. Don't know the details. Never had a FT3. Their lab will not do it.

[greygoose in reply to Sheffield6]

OK, well, the important thing in the meantime, is to get an increase in your dose. By whatever means! But, do ask any GP that you see to test your TPO antibodies. You need to know if you have Hashi's.

[Sheffield6 in reply to greygoose]

I'm sure that the next time I see the GP (blood test in February) I'll have more confidence because of this site.

[greygoose in reply to Sheffield6]

That's good! But, don't forget to get a print-out of the results, and post them on here, with the ranges.

[Sheffield6 in reply to greygoose]

I am also having private blood tests. Wonder what the GP will say?

Thanks

[shaws Administrator in reply to Sheffield6]

You need an increase in levo to bring your TSH to 1 or below.

You actually need a Full Thyroid Function Test as you have clinical symptoms, ie. bradycardia, low temp, etc. etc. The aim of taking levothyroxine is to relieve ALL of them. Pity doctors appear not to know that.

Ask GP to test TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies (if you haven't had antibodies tested). B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as all of them have to be optimal, not just somewhere in the range.

If we are on an optimum dose which suits us we should have no symptoms at all.

All thyroid tests have to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards.

This helps keep TSH at its highest as that's all doctors seem to look at.

We need a TSH of 1 or lower, with a Free T4 and Free T3 in the upper part of the range.

If GP wont do all and you can afford a private test for the ones your GP or lab wont do we have two private labs.

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

You should have no symptoms if you were on an optimum dose:-

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

[Sheffield6 in reply to shaws]

Many thanks for the detailed reply. I have been tested for T4 in the past and have hashimoto’s. More recently they have only tested for TSH. My GP did request a test for T3 but the lab turned it down.

[Sheffield6]

Levothyroxine has cleared up dry skin, tendency to constipation and weight.

[Marz in reply to Sheffield6]

Are you able to have Private Testing done in the home through Thyroid UK ? Then you can ensure you have all the correct testing done - see link below ....

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