Newbie

[Nicolakerriball]

Can you feel better off levo? Endo says I can

[shaws Administrator]

Only if he replaces it with another thyroid hormone, i.e. NDT, T3 only, or adding T3 to levothyroxine. If you are hypo and he removes levothyroxine, you will become ill again with symptoms returning.

[Nicolakerriball in reply to shaws]

Thanks I take levo, endo wants me off treatment completely

[shaws Administrator in reply to Nicolakerriball]

What is his reasoning? It is unusual for someone to be diagnosed as having hypothyroidosm and then to be told not to take levo any more.

If you can get the print-outs of your results with the ranges, put them on a new post for comments.

[Nicolakerriball in reply to shaws]

Please see below results

[marigold22]

Do you have any up to date blood test results?

[Nicolakerriball in reply to marigold22]

TSH 5.8 (0.2 - 4.2)

FT4 14.2 (12 - 22)

FT3 3.1 (3.1 - 6.8)

Thyroglobulin antibody 504.5 (<115)

Thyroid peroxidase antibody 375 (<34)

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Nicolakerriball]

No, you have primary hypothyroidism and without supplementary thyroid hormones you will probably get heart disease and dementia, as people did before thyroid hormones were discovered, and die - but it will take several years to happen and you will be a burden on your carers while it happens. I think you need to sack your endo. If those are your results on levo, you need a dose increase right now. You should be aiming for free T4 in top quarter of range, free T3 at least mid range and that usually means TSH between 0.2 and 1. You have autoimmune thyroiditis which means that antibodies are slowly destroying your thyroid so you will get moire hypo, not less. A gluten-free diet might help decrease antibody attacks

[Clutter]

Nicolakerriball,

If you want help you need to provide more information.

What are your symptoms? Did you have them before taking Levothyroxine?

How much Levothyroxine are you taking?

How long have you been taking Levothyroxine?

What are your most recent thyroid results and ranges?

Why has endo said you will feel better off Levothyroxine?

[Nicolakerriball in reply to Clutter]

Sorry I am not doing very well. I am very brain fogged

[Nicolakerriball in reply to Clutter]

My symptoms are fast heart rate, high blood pressure, tiredness, breathlessness, goitre. I had had them before levo

I take 25mcg

I have been taking it for 6 years

Endo says levo doesn't help me

[Clutter in reply to Nicolakerriball]

Nicolakerriball,

25mcg is a tiny dose and Levothyroxine won't help unless you are optimally dosed. What are your recent thyroid results and ranges?

[Nicolakerriball in reply to Clutter]

TSH 5.8 (0.2 - 4.2)

FT4 14.2 (12 - 22)

FT3 3.1 (3.1 - 6.8)

Thyroglobulin antibody 504.5 (<115)

Thyroid peroxidase antibody 375 (<34)

[Clutter in reply to Nicolakerriball]

Nicolakerriball,

You should change or dump your endo. Most hypothyroidism is managed in general practice so you could tell your GP you would prefer to be treated by him/her as your endo is useless. You feel so unwell because you are undermedicated. You need a dose increase to 50mcg and if TSH is not <2.0 you will need a further dose increase.

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.

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_...

For maximum absorption Levothyroxine should be taken with water 1 hour before, or 2 hours after, food and drink, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements, and 4 hours away from calcium, iron, vitamin D supplements, magnesium and oestrogen.

It takes 7-10 days for Levothyroxine to be absorbed before it starts working and it will take up to six weeks to feel the full impact of the dose. Symptoms may lag behind good biochemistry by several months.

You should have a follow up thyroid test 6-8 weeks after starting Levothyroxine. Arrange an early morning and fasting (water only) blood draw when TSH is highest, and take Levothyroxine after your blood draw.

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

[shaws Administrator in reply to Clutter]

How many more uneducated/unknowledgeable doctors and endocrinologists are ruining people's health altogether? If we, the patients can read and learn, how have these professionals managed to pass exams when we get examples of their disgusting treatment to patients posted on here every day? They seem to be missing that inbuilt compassion to make their patients well and the patients could develop other more serious problems.

I feel sorry for people who have no internet to try to get information but are left out on a limb by their doctors and given umpteem other meds to try to control symptoms or tell them they are depressed and given anti-d's.

[Clutter in reply to shaws]

Shaws,

It's shocking how incompetent some GPs and endos are. I don't understand how they can pass medical exams without being able to interpret blood results.

[Greybeard in reply to Clutter]

Endopsychosis. Highly contagous. No cure.

[Clutter in reply to Greybeard]

Retraining is a cure for ignorant doctors, Greybeard63.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Clutter]

Yeah, retraining the old Soviet way - in the Salt mines!

[marigold22 in reply to shaws]

I've had that treatment from Professors of Endocrinology who lecture. How much are they earning per annum?