Hi, I'm new to this site. I'm male, 40 years old, and diagnosed with hypothyroidism in December 2017. I am glad I found this place and I feel very alone with it. I take 25mcg levo. Thanks for any input and I would like to hear from anyone in the same boat
(Diagnosis)
TSH 70.4 (0.2 - 4.2)
FT4 10.9 (12 - 22)
TPO antibody 603.5 (<34)
Can you add you blood results from when diagnosed TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus thyroid antibodies
Have you had blood retested since starting on Levothyroxine?
Should be retested after 6-8 weeks
All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results
Nice guidelines saying how to initiate and increase
Typical starter dose is 50mcgs, unless elderly, frail or heart condition
cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...
Hi SlowDragon. I will add results now.
Hi, my results have been added now. I have symptoms of depression, weight gain, dry skin, pins and needles, fatigue, deafness and brain fog
So you were severely hypo and high antibodies confirm you have Hashimoto's also called 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 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...
Have you had blood test since or dose increased yet?
If not make urgent appointment to get this done as per NICE guidelines
For people aged over 50 years and people with cardiac disease or severe hypothyroidism: 25 micrograms once daily, adjusted in increments of 25 micrograms every 4 weeks according to response.
Hi SlowDragon, no blood test or dose increase yet
Then see GP urgently
Pins and needles can be low B12
Deafness is typical hypo symptom, so is depression
You are in need of 25mcg dose increase. But get blood tested first
Retesting should be 6-8 weeks after each dose increase
Dose steps up in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range
Official NHS guidelines saying TSH should be between 0.2 and 2.0 when on Levothyroxine
(Many of us need TSH nearer 0.2 than 2.0)
See box
Thyroxine replacement in primary hypothyroidism
pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/pa...
Thanks very much! I can post what I have already which were done Dec 2017.
Ferritin 55 (30 - 400)
Folate 4.1 (4.6 - 18.7)
Vitamin B12 226 (180 - 900)
Vitamin D 45.2 (25 - 50 deficiency)
I take 800iu D3, 210mg iron once a day
Your vitamin B12 is very low and folate is too
They work together, the fact they are both low suggests you need testing for Pernicious Anaemia before starting supplements or B12 injections
b12deficiency.info/signs-an...
Majority have low B12 due to Hashimoto's, but need to test for Pernicious Anaemia first.
Suggest you ask advice on
Push GP to run tests
If GP decides you need B12 injections you should have loading dose
Loading doses of B12
healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...
If GP not going to give injections then you can supplement with sublingual B12 lozenges
Oral may be as good as injections
aafp.org/afp/2003/0301/p979...
B12 generally
drjockers.com/warning-signs...
folic acid supplements should not be started until after first B12 injection
Vitamin D - 800iu is not enough but GP can't prescribe any more
Hashimoto's patients find vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function
Perhaps try 3000iu
Important to retest in 2-3 months. And twice yearly Aiming for around 100nmol
Vitamin D is toxic in excess.
Vitamindtest.org.uk £28 postal kit
Ferritin, if you like liver eating once a week should help improve
Detailed supplements advice on Low vitamins due to under medication
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