Hi

[Amber_pink]

Newbie here and very new to this, diagnosed hypothyroid in 2012, dose is 125 mcg levo. Symptoms of tiredness, swollen neck, weak muscles, memory loss, depression. Possible undermedication? Advice please. Thank you

TSH 5.2 (0.27 - 4.20)

FT4 14.5 (12 - 22)

FT3 3.6 (3.1 - 6.8)

[Amber_pink]

Did I need to post results? Sorry! Added.

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Amber_pink.

You are undermedicated to have TSH 5.2. 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.

[Amber_pink in reply to Clutter]

Thanks Clutter! I also supplement too and I'm wondering if this is causing my symptoms.

[Clutter in reply to Amber_pink]

Amber_pink,

How can supplements cause symptoms?

[Amber_pink in reply to Clutter]

Sorry I meant my vitamin levels causing my symptoms

[Clutter in reply to Amber_pink]

Amber_pink,

Post your results and ranges and say what and how much you are supplementing and I'll advise.

[Amber_pink in reply to Clutter]

Ferritin 38 (30 - 400) 210mg ferrous fumarate once a day since Feb 2017

Folate 3.1 (2.5 - 19.5) 5mg folic acid once a day since Feb 2017

Vitamin B12 210 (190 - 900) B12 injections once every 3 months since June 2017

Vitamin D 55.2 (50 - 75 suboptimal) 800iu since 2013

[Clutter in reply to Amber_pink]

Amber_pink,

Ferritin is very low in range considering you are supplementing iron. I would check with your GP to see whether iron panel and red blood cell count indicate iron deficiency anaemia.

Folate is low considering you are supplementing folic acid.

Looks like you are due a B12 injection as B12 is bottom of range.

800iu is a maintenance dose to be taken once vitD is replete >75. I would buy D3 and supplement 5,000iu daily x 8 weeks then reduce to 5,000iu alternate days and retest late May. Take vitD 4 hours away from Levothyroxine.

[Amber_pink in reply to Clutter]

Thanks, MCV 80.2 (83 - 98) MCHC 385 (310 - 350) only things out of range on complete blood count

Iron 6.3 (6 - 26)

Transferrin 13 (12 - 45

[Clutter in reply to Amber_pink]

Amber_pink,

Deficient MCV confirms iron deficiency anaemia. Usual treatment for iron deficiency is 3 x 210mg Ferrous Fumarate. Take each tablet with 1,000mg vitamin C to aid absorption and minimise constipation.

[Amber_pink]

Also trying to get to the bottom of how I acquired hypothyroidism in the first place.

[Clutter in reply to Amber_pink]

Amber_pink,

90% of hypothyroidsm is due to autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's). Has thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibody testing been done?

[Amber_pink in reply to Clutter]

Yes

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies 604.5 (<34)

Thyroglobulin antibodies 375 (<115)

[Clutter in reply to Amber_pink]

Amber_pink,

Thyroid peroxidase 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_...