Undermedicated?

[Jax667]

Hello. I am new to site. 33 years old and diagnosed hypothyroid/Hashimotos 2011. For the past week I have noticed my intolerance to cold, constipation, tiredness and joint pains getting worse. Also numbness in my toes?

TSH undetectable and FT4 over range back in November 2017? Endo says he doesn't understand this.

I would say the Hashimotos is causing this?

I take 175mcg of Levo, is my dose still not right? Thankyou

20-Dec-17

TSH 4.90 (0.2 - 4.2)

FT4 14.8 (12 - 22)

FT3 3.5 (3.1 - 6.8)

Thyroid peroxidase antibody 387.5 (<34)

[Treepie]

You are right.Your latest results suggest you are undermedicated as TSH should be 1 or below and FT4 and FT3 in the upper half of the range.You also need to ensure ferritin,folate,B12 and D3 are optimal for you.

The November result looks like a hashi flare up.

[Jax667 in reply to Treepie]

Thankyou I supplement and feel no different with what I take. My results back in November were

TSH <0.02 (0.2 - 4.2)

FT4 25.3 (12 - 22)

No FT3 even though endo ordered full thyroid panel

[blogsy2]

Numb toes could be b12 deficiency. If you are regularly taking b12 supplements, even in a multi, the serum b12 results will be inaccurate. Also your serum b12 should be towards the top of the range, and I think above 400 certainly. Check out the b12d website for more information.

[Jax667 in reply to blogsy2]

Thankyou I take B12 injections every 3 months, last one done February 2018. Numbness in toes has gotten worse since cold weather.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary 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 and gluten 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 or endo for coeliac blood test first, along with vitamin tests, if not been done

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...

Gluten free diet often helps reduce Hashimoto's flares

[Jax667 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou I intend to be tested for coeliac due to suspected coeliac symptoms when eating gluten. I take B12 injections every 3 months. Last one done February 2018. I take 3000iu D3 with K2 MK7 and folic acid 5mg

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jax667]

You may need to supplement good vitamin B complex (recommended on here when having B12 injections)

If you start or are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Ask GP for coeliac blood test ASAP. If positive you need to remain on high level gluten diet until,endoscopy to confirm and asses damage. Should be offered within 6 weeks

If test is negative then you can go strictly gluten free immediately. Majority have non coeliac gluten sensitivity, which does not show up in coeliac test

Have you had ferritin tested?

Had vitamin D retested since supplementing?

[Jax667 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou I have had ferritin etc tested and they are in another post

[Jax667]

Also thyroid has swollen up?

Not a good idea to increase in case I have gone overmedicated?

Thankyou