hi I am new, my first post is on the pernicious anaemia community page. I tested positive for intrinsic factor antibodies. I am being treated for hypothyroid diagnosed in 2012 and I take 25mcg levo. a list of my symptoms are below.
swelling in neck and in lymph glands
difficult swallowing
dry skin
feeling sick
dizziness
sluggish digestion
hair loss
tiredness
weight gain
pins and needles
dry and gritty eyes
ears ringing
feeling cold
burning in hands and feet
splitting nails
low energy
heavy periods
thanks for reading
DEC 2017
Serum TSH 6.8 (0.2 - 4.2)
Serum FT4 12.9 (12 - 22)
Serum FT3 3.4 (3.1 -6.8)
Written by
LVO51
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You are undermedicated to have TSH 6.8 and FT4 and FT3 low in range and should ask your GP to increase dose.
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. The Thyroid UK office opens on 3rd January.
You should have a follow up thyroid test 6-8 weeks after increasing Levothyroxine. Arrange an early morning and fasting (water only) blood draw when TSH is highest, and take Levothyroxine after your blood draw.
Heavy periods can be due to low iron/ferritin. Ask your GP to check ferritin and vitamin D in addition to B12 and folate as hypothyroid patients are often deficient in minerals and vitamins.
Have you always only had 25mcg dose of Levothyroxine or has it been reduced?
The standard starter dose is 50mcg. Bloods retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change and increased in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range.
Your significantly under medicated. Your vitamin levels are dire and must be improved
Make an urgent appointment asap. You need 25mcg dose increase and blood testing for coeliac disease too
You MUST have B12 injections more frequently
Ask for vitamin D to be tested, extremely likely to be too low
What about ferritin? Have you had iron infusion and taking 3 x daily ferrous fumerate?
Folate, are you taking folic acid supplements
Presumably you have high thyroid antibodies? This is Hashimoto's also called 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
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
as far as I know all were retested a week ago. gp has called me since to discuss. vitamin d when first checked was 33.5 (25 - 50 vitamin d deficiency. supplementation is indicated) no loading dose, straight on 800iu
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