Lost my appetite

[Bex789]

Hi I'm new, I have hypothyroid and recently lost my appetite. As in, have had no enthusiasm to eat at all. I take 50mcg Levo diagnosed 2011. Thank you for reading

[Mary-intussuception]

What do you think it could be? Any other symptoms?

[Bex789 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Constipation, fatigue, feeling cold, swollen thyroid, hair loss, muscle cramps and weakness, heavy periods. I think I am undermedicated but I am also sweating and have a tremor

[Clutter]

Bex789,

I've not had much appetite since my thyroidectomy in 2012. You still have to eat though. Your other symptoms indicate you may be undermedicated. If you post your recent thyroid results and ranges I will tell you whether you are adequately dosed on 50mcg.

[Bex789 in reply to Clutter]

TSH 6.5 (0.2 - 4.2)

FT4 14.7 (12 - 22)

FT3 3.0 (3.1 - 6.8)

[Clutter in reply to Bex789]

Bex789,

You are undermedicated to have TSH 6.5, FT4 low in range and FT3 below range. 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 [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Bex789]

No wonder you are feeling unwell. Your doctor is another who doesn't know how to treat hypo patients.

You need an immediate increase of 25mcg every six weeks until TSH is 1 or lower with a FT4 and FT3 nearer the upper parts of the range. Not bottom or lower.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Bex789]

You are seriously under medicated. Need immediate 25mcg dose increase, retesting 6-8 weeks after each dose increase.

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

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

Your vitamins are absolutely dire BECAUSE you are under medicated

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]

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

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

[Bex789]

Endo in charge of dosing he says I am overmedicated

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Bex789]

Why???

Has Endo seen these results? Do you have any other results to share? Of tests taken earlier or since these?

[Bex789 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

He think the sweats mean I am overmedicated. He has questioned my taking of the 50mcg levothyroxine. They are latest ones

[Framboise in reply to Bex789]

It would be interesting to know on what basis he believes you are overmedicated. Your TSH is too high and FT4 low and FT3 below range. Going by those you are undermedicated. Possibly your GP might be able to help if you can get an appointment with him more easily than with the endo.

[Bex789 in reply to Framboise]

He says because of the sweats I am overmedicated

[Framboise in reply to Bex789]

This is crazy, he has arranged blood tests for you and has the results, either he believes them or he needn't have done them! I'm astonished! You have one symptom which he thinks means you are overmedicated (and it doesn't in any case necessarily mean that) and several which mean you are under-medicated. Are you due to see him soon and if not can you see your GP? I would have thought your GP would recognise the test results and understand them.

[TSH110 in reply to Bex789]

Bex789 i had sweats when my TSH was 110 would he suggest I was hyperthyroid with that result - he is useless

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Bex789]

The sweats are due to being very under medicated and extremely low vitamins

Your endo is probably only a Diabetes specialist

We have seen many similar posts recently

You need vitamins improved urgently. Waiting over 8 months for B12 injections is unacceptable

Presumably you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies?

[Mary-intussuception]

Yes you seem to be undermedicated.

When were your last blood tests done or are these old results. You need an increase in dose.

Constipation can cause loss of appetite. Things should improve gradually after an increase in dose. Have you tried Lactulose medicine and drinking plenty of water.

I would see GP about 25mcg dose increased and retesting in several weeks time.

[Bex789 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

These are latest results

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Bex789]

Has Endo seen them and discussed them with you?

[Bex789 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Yes and he has questioned my taking of the 50mcg levothyroxine

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Bex789]

What do you mean? What has he questioned?

Who prescribed the 50mcg?

When were these tests done and what are your previous results and date of tests?

What dose has he told you to take now?

[Nanaedake]

Being undermedicated can make you sweat as your cortisol will take over to try to compensate for lack of thyroid hormone. The raised or unusually fluctuating cortisol can make your heart beat faster/harder, eventually when cortisol runs out then adrenalin kicks in and that can make you sweat too. At least that's my experience. I've no idea why Endo's do not know this except that they haven't listened to many thyroid patients. Probably a diabetic specialist.

[Mary-intussuception]

Have you had the following nutrients levels tested? If not then I would ask GP to test them asap :

Vitamin D, Calcium;

B12, Folate

and Ferritin.

[crimple]

You do seriously wonder what they learn at med school and who decides someone can be an endo?! Another useless endo who only deal with diabetics?!!!!!!!!!!!

[TSH110 in reply to crimple]

crimple I doubt he even deals with diabetics competently he is a disgrace to his profession

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Similar posts regarding sweating ......all seriously UNDER medicated

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Email Thyroid UK for list of recommended thyroid specialists

please email Dionne:
[e-mail]

You current endo is useless

[Maxxxx]

My heart races when I am late taking my T3 which I presume is the adrenal glands releasing cortisol to compensate for the lack of thyroid hormone so I agree the tremors are probably due to being severely undermedicated.

You say you were diagnosed in 2011. Have you been on 50mcg since then? The goal of taking the levothyroxine is to get the TSH level below 1. Your blood should have been tested after 6 weeks and the dose increased by 25mcg increments every six weeks until your TSH level is below 1.

As mentioned above you also need to get all your Vitamin B12, folate, Vitamin D and ferritin tested as these are often low in hypothyroid patients.