Hypo and slim

[zoe3]

Newbie

is it common to be hypo and slim

thank you in advance

TSH 5.66 (0.2 - 4.2)

FREE T4 14.6 (12 - 22)

FREE T3 3.3 (3.1 - 6.8)

TPO ANTIBODY 1800 (<34)

TG ANTIBODY 477.5 (<115)

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Zoe3.

It is more common to experience unwanted weight gain when hypothyroid but there are quite a few of us on the forum who are hypothyroid and slim.

[Venus77]

I don't know if it's common but I'm hypo (have been for at least 18 years) and I'm thin. I'm sure others will be able to answer your question with helpful info

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you add your recent blood test results and ranges for TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus Thyroid antibodies members can advise

Also helpful to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 too. Add these if you have them

[zoe3 in reply to SlowDragon]

TSH 5.66 (0.2 - 4.2)

FREE T4 14.6 (12 - 22)

FREE T3 3.3 (3.1 - 6.8)

TPO ANTIBODY 1800 (<34)

TG ANTIBODY 477.5 (<115)

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to zoe3]

You are extremely under medicated

How much Levothyroxine are you on ?

Dose should be increased by 25mcgs steps until until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range.

Your high antibodies confirm you have Hashimoto's

Ask GP for 25mcg dose increase and retesting in 6-8 weeks

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

Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.

Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor 

please email Dionne:
[e-mail]

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Always get actual results and ranges.

Post results when you have them, members can advise

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

Low vitamin levels affect 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

Ask GP for coeliac blood test first

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...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Prof Toft - article just published now saying T3 is likely essential for many

rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/fi...

But with Hashimoto's we must get vitamins optimal first, Levo dose increased until TSH around one and FT4 towards top of range

Highly likely to need to be strictly gluten free diet too

If after all this FT3 remains low then, like many with Hashimoto's you may need addition of small dose of T3

Thyroid UK have list of recommended thyroid specialists

Email Thyroid UK for list of recommended thyroid specialists

please email Dionne:
[e-mail]

[zoe3 in reply to SlowDragon]

Taking 50mcg levothyroxine, am getting digestive symptoms on 150mcg levothyroxine

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to zoe3]

So you have reduced the dose from 150mcg to 50mcg?

That will almost certainly make things worse

What were you taking when these results were done?

They show you were very under medicated

Low vitamins and gluten intolerance likely

[zoe3 in reply to SlowDragon]

Endo said it would be best to reduce,taking 50mcg when results taken

[Mary-intussuception in reply to zoe3]

If on only 50mcg when these tests taken then you need to go up to 75mcg.

So, do you have earlier results from when you were on 150mcg and dropped to 50mcg.

These recent results since on 50mcg indicate that drop of 100mcg too much, don't you think?

So I would have thought Endo will increase to 75mcg snow test again in several weeks time.

Always include full information in post. It saves a lot of time.

ie

Two most recent sets of blood tests with dates of tests, full results and ranges. Dose prior to test and adjusted dose upon result.

Current situation and any symptoms.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to zoe3]

Have you been tested for Coeliac Disease?

Do you have IBD (Crohn's or Colitis )?

Have you ever had blood tests to check your levels of :

Vitamin D & Calcium

B12 & Folate

also Ferritin?

If not then I would ask GP for these asap.

If you have been tested - do you have results with ranges? Would you like to share for comment? Or are you happy that you are on correct doses of supplements.

[zoe3 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Not tested for coeliac disease, GP doing this. Have low vit D and calcium and B12 and folate and ferritin will post these now

[Mary-intussuception in reply to zoe3]

Before taking the test for Coeliac Disease remember to eat lots of wheat products , bread etc.

What supplements did GP prescribe for your deficiencies?

[Hidden]

I'm slim too, always have been. I respond really well to T4 it seems (notice effects of dose change within 24 to 48 hours) which inclines me to think my conversion is excellent. Main symptoms for me were extreme fatigue and trouble concentrating (and pain in the thyroid as it was inflamed).