Thyroid test results

[sunsetalley]

Hi, I've been taking levothyroxine since 4 years ago due to hashimoto's but despite increasing dose of levothyroxine several times I have never felt any improvement in symptoms of hypothyroidism. I take 100 micrograms of levothyroxine everyday but am suffering from low body temperature, fluid retention and feeling tired all the time.

Here's my latest thyroid test result:

TSH:0.8(0.4-4.2)

Free T3:4.2(1.9-4.3)

Free T4:1.2(9.0-23)

I think numbers are unnormal especially free t4 and free t3...I'd be happy if you share your experiences and information with me...

Thanks in advance...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you know if you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease, diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies?

If not had antibodies tested, ask GP to do so

What about vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12?

If you post recent results and ranges plus say what supplements you take, members can advise

[sunsetalley in reply to SlowDragon]

Yeah, I have tested for hashimoto's 4 years ago and it was positive, autoantibodies were high...

Unfortunately Most doctors I've visited don't check for nurition deficiences and supplementing

My latest ferritin was 16(10-100)

and vitamin d3 was 33(30-50 optimal level)

which the docotor I visted told ferritin is a little low...

I'm not on anythying other than this useless levothyroxine...

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to sunsetalley]

So your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as 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 affect Thyroid hormone working

Essential to improve low vitamin levels otherwise Levothyroxine can't work properly

You should be prescribed ferrous fumerate supplements 3 x daily for low ferritin

You're only 3 points away from severe vitamin D deficiency. Request GP prescribe a loading dose

oxfordshireccg.nhs.uk/profe...

or self supplement with at least 3000iu daily

vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function of Hashimoto's

Very likely B12 and folate are also low. Ask that they are tested

Typical post with Low vitamins due to under medication and detailed supplements advice on how to improve

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

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 gut function is very poorly understood

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

Ideally 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...

Persistent low vitamins with supplements suggests coeliac disease or gluten intolerance

gluten.org/resources/health...

[sunsetalley]

I thought I'm not converting t4 well, how do I know if I'm not converting t4 to t3?

[sunsetalley]

I'm thinking about switching to another levothyroxine brand, maybe another formula help me to get rid of persistent hypothyroidism symptoms...