What's normal?

[wintergal]

I first of all had an over-active thyroid following the birth of my son. Three years later I had RAI treatment and from then on I've been under-active, taking varying amounts of levothyroxine. I'm now wondering, which I haven't before, if my anxiety/panic attacks are related to levothyroxine. I've also just had a total hysterectomy and I'm wondering if my change in hormones is also affecting my thyroid levels? Anyone have any ideas?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Quite possible that changing hormones are affecting thyroid levels, plus you may be inadequately treated

Can you add most recent results and ranges for TSH, FT3 and FT4 plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Are you on strictly gluten free diet or have you considered it ?

[wintergal in reply to SlowDragon]

I'm trying a low carb diet but don't have any recent test results, need to get to the doc I think!

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum, and many women after childbirth can develop hypothyroidism.

The fact that your thyroid gland has been rendered useless due to RAI, I believe - my own personal view - that people who have no thyroid gland should be prescribed T3 and T4 combination. The reason being that T4 (levothyroxine) is inactive and has to convert to T3. T3 being the only Active Thyroid Hormone required in all of our receptor cells.

Hysterectomy: - was it due to excess bleeding or period problems?

I shall give you a list of clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism as you are now hypo and we have to read, learn and ask questions if we want to recover normal health which is difficult if our thyroid hormone replacements aren't adequate.

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

The procedure for blood tests is as follows:-

The earliest possible appointment, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levothyroxine and the test and take afterwards.

Request TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

GP or lab may not do all of these but we have two private labs which will do those not taken by GP. They are home pin-prick tests.

GP should also test, B12, Vit D,iron, ferritin and folate as everything has to be optimal.

Always get a print-out of your resuts with the ranges for your own records and you can post if you have a query.

Researchers who advise Thyroiduk.org.uk have found the benefit of a T3/T4 combination and have had their paper accepted.

[wintergal]

Thank you, good advice. I need to take more control and not just trust the doctor to make the correct decisions. I've never asked for a printout but will from now on. I've always taken my thyroxine medication on the morning of my blood test - but now that I think of it, that's a bit crazy! My hysterectomy was due to large fibroids.