Hello I've been taking thyroxine 100mcg/125mg alternating daily and t3 20mcg per day for about 12 months. My recent results were TSH 0.01 (0.27 - 4.2) and t4 17.1 (12 -22), thyroid antibodies 102 (<34). I also take B12, B6, Vit D and Thiamin. Can anyone help me understand what's going on with my thyroid at the minute?
#t3 #underactivethyroid
As you are taking T3 then really you should also have FT3 tested. As you take 20mcg T3 then I assume it's prescribed, in which case your doctor should know how important testing FT3 is. How is s/he going to know if it's helping or if you are on the correct dose if they don't test?
How do you feel? Do you think you are optimally medicated?
I also take B12, B6, Vit D and Thiamin
When taking B12 we should also take a B Complex to balance all the B vitamins.
Do you take D3's important cofactions - particularly K2-MK7 and magnesium vitamindcouncil.org/about-v...
thyroid antibodies 102 (<34)
Did you know that your raised antibodies confirm autoimmune thyroiditis aka Hashimoto's? Are you strictly gluten free and supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily to help reduce the antibodies?
My GP never tests for T3 and the endocrinologist tells me that testing it isn't required!? I agree I don't know how they know its working without testing. I am only taking D3 currently not K2-MK7 and magnesium. No one has ever confirmed I have Hashimoto's and my raised antibodies were not even brought up at my last appointment. Therefore i am not gluten free as i didn't realize I had Hashimoto's, nor do I take selenium. Can I just get K2-MK7 and magnesium and selenium from a health food shop?
GPs generally can't get FT3 tested. My surgery's lab will test FT3 is TSH is below range and I am not prescribed T3 (although I self source it and my GP doesn't know). An endo can request it and should if you are on T3. I think your endo is a diabetes specialist, most of them are and know very little about treating hypothyroidism. They tend to keep us quite unwell.
Can I just get K2-MK7 and magnesium and selenium from a health food shop?
Better brands tend to be available online.
A good brand of K2-MK7 is Healthy Origins bigvits.co.uk/product.php?p...
I use Cytoplan Selenium which is a yeast bound one which absorbs as well as selenium l-selenomethionine. Avoid Selenium Selenate or Selenite, it doesn't absorb as well.
What is your Vit D level and how much D3 are you taking? Do you take it 4 hours away from your thyroid meds and with the fattiest meal of the day (it is fat soluble and needs fat to be absorbed).
Magnesium comes in different forms so check to see which would suit you best and it should be taken at least 4 hours away from thyroid meds, and as it's calming it's best taken in the evening naturalnews.com/046401_magn...
Hashi's information:
Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...
stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...
You need to test FT3 at same time as FT4 and TSH
It's ludicrous for NHS not to test.
Private tests are available
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
Medichecks or Blue Horizon are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.
You can test vitamin levels at same time if required
Or cheapest test for just vitamin D is vitamindtest.org.uk £28 postal kit
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, and T3 12 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
If 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
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 can 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 gut connection 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
Feeling tired, dizzy, energyless. Please help me understand my blood results.
Please help me understand my blood tests.
Please help me understand my blood tests. 
I'm new here. Can someone help me understand my blood test results, please? 
