Underactive Thyroid

[Makstorey4]

I have been diagnosed for just over a year, I have not been given a reason for my diagnosis, and I am on 100 microgram Levothyroxine per day. Is this a high dosage?

I started Weight Watchers at the same time as I was diagnosed and started medication, and for the first time in over 20 years, I was actually loosing weight. I lose 2 stone, and then it all stopped and it started gaining it back again. I have been back and asked if my levels are ok, and keep getting told that the levels are fine.

What can I do to shift this weight, I am feeling tired and depressed again, and heart palpitations are getting worse.

Any advise/ideas would be most appreciated

[Clutter]

Makstorey4,

100mcg - 200mcg is the usual maintenance dose.

If you post your recent thyroid results and ranges members will advise whether you are optimally dosed.

[Makstorey4 in reply to Clutter]

I asked for a copy of my most recent test results and they are as follows

TSH 0.51miu/L [0.27-4.2]

T4 18.6 pmol/L [12.0-22]

B12/Folate

B12 - 419ng/L [180.0 - 914.0]

folate 5.4ng/mL [3.0 - 20.0]

I don't appear to have been tested for TT4, FT3, TPO and TG

Results look normal, and doctor says it is normal.

What should I do next?

[Clutter in reply to Makstorey4]

Markstorey4,

TSH 0.51 is low-normal and FT4 18.6 is in the upper quadrant of range so you appear to be adequately dosed on 100mcg. TT4 is total T4 and is rarely used in the UK which uses Free T4 (FT4) which you've had done. FT3 is rarely tested in primary care.

TPO antibodies may have been tested when you were first diagnosed. Ask your GP receptionist to check. Tg antibodies are rarely tested in primary or secondary care unless the patient has had thyroid cancer.

You can order private thyroid tests to include FT3 and thyroid antibodies via thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin... Medichecks offer 15% discount throughout March using discount code MED15 and usually offer 20% #ThyroidThursday discounts.

B12 419 is unlikely to be deficient but if you have many of the symptoms in b12deficiency.info/signs-an... go to healthunlocked.com/pasoc for advice.

Folate is optimal halfway through range. You can raise folate by supplementing folate or methylfolate for 3-4 months and eating more green leafy veg.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies. Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Essential to test thyroid antibodies plus vitamins

Ask for copies of recent tests

Private tests are available

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven 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.

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 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

[Makstorey4 in reply to SlowDragon]

I asked for a copy of my most recent test results and they are as follows

TSH 0.51miu/L [0.27-4.2]

T4 18.6 pmol/L [12.0-22]

B12/Folate

B12 - 419ng/L [180.0 - 914.0]

folate 5.4ng/mL [3.0 - 20.0]

I don't appear to have been tested for TT4, FT3, TPO and TG

Results look normal, and doctor says it is normal.

What should I do next?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Makstorey4]

Find the money to get private testing or push GP to run more tests

Essential to know if you have high thyroid antibodies, FT4 and FT3 tested together plus ferritin and vitamin D