Will levothyroxine work better when had my throyd removed????

[Cassie101]

Hi jst wanted to no if once had throyd removed would i not need to covert t4 to t3 and will levothyroxine work better????

[cjrsquared]

No as levothyroxine is t4 a pro hormone which the body has to convert to t3 the active hormone. The conversion takes place in the tissues, the brain, the gut, liver and kidneys. why do you need your thyroid removed?

[Cassie101 in reply to cjrsquared]

I have a enlarged goiltre and 7 nodules

[shaws Administrator]

If, what I know now, and my thyroid gland had to be removed I would insist on a T4/T3 combination. So I would ensure you have that promise before they take your thyroid gland out.

If they try to reasure you that levo will be 'just fine', tell them you are a member of Healthunlocked Thyroiduk.org.uk which is an NHS recommended site for dysfunctions of the thyroid gland and Scientists/Researchers have proven and (Paper recently accepted) that a T3/T4 combination is best for all who have hypothyroidism.

[greygoose]

There's absolutely no reason why it would work better - is that what your doctor told you? It might even 'work' worse, meaning that you would have less T3, the active hormone, because some of your T3 is made in the thyroid itself, and you would lose that source of T3. You would therefore be solely dependant on conversion from T4 (levo). And very often people have trouble converting T4 to T3. But, you probably won't know that until you have had the op.

Are you taking levo at the moment? If so, post your latest lab results, and let's have a look, see how well you convert it.

[Cassie101]

They wont give me ndt and i keep asking for it.... they also wont test me t3 thats whats the problem my tsh is normal and t4 is so they said take 25mg ov levo coz my t3 is low bt when i take it in the morning the hole day is up and down 1 min i feel ok then the next i have to sit down have loads of blankets coz im so cold and feel faint but because the goiltre is so big it clicks when i turn my neck x

[Clutter in reply to Cassie101]

Cassie101,

25mcg is a very low dose and you may be undermedicated. After thyroidectomy dose is likely to be increased to 100 - 125mcg.

How can they know that T3 is low if they haven't tested it? Ask your GP receptionist for a printout of your recent thyroid results and ranges and post them in a new question for advice.