Held needed - what meds to take

[AnnaSo]

Hi all,

I really really could do with your help. I have been struggling with Hashimoto for over 10 years now. Even though there has been an improvement I still don’t feel 100% myself, maybe 60%.

I have been eating really heathy, low carb, no gluten and vegan diet. This has helped with weight loss however I still struggle with low energy, feeling cold, low libido, hair loss the whole lot of hypo symptoms. I gain weight really easily too and really struggle with water retention. Basically can’t even touch salt.

I have been on 150mg Levo for about 8 years. Two years ago a GP reduced my dose to 125 threatening me I was over medicated basing it on the suppressed TSH - ended badly with weight gain. I saw an endo who recommended to go back to 150 which I did. Took a while to lose the weight but it happened.

However, the hypo symptoms were still around. Blood test in June 2017 showed the following:

TSH 0.2 (0.4-3.8)

FT4 18 (10-22)

FT3 3.8 (2.5-6.5)

Reverse T3 438 (170-450)

This has raised a concern of having too much Reverse T3 and low FT3 what would explain the symptoms but no one would listen to me.

In November 2017 I had my blood tests again and still feeling bad and gaining weight. The results were:

TSH 0.2 (0.4-3.8)

FT4 27 (10-22)

FT3 5.0 (2.5-6.5)

Endo recommended to drop the dose to 125. I mentioned the anime results and asked for T3 but she insisted on 125 of Levo. Since then I gained lost of weight and feel absolutely awful water retention is beyond any limits and I hate myself for listening to her and no one ever listening to me :(((

Latest February results showed:

TSH 3.2 (0.4-3.8)

FT4 13 (10-22)

FT3 3.3 (2.5-6.5)

I have been given T3 after begging the GP for half an hour but he said he’s taking no responsibility in advising the dose. Please someone help me!!!

Do I mix Levo and T3 or shall I move fully to T3? What are you thoughts?

Other than Lowe Ferritin I have perfect blood results with D3, B12 and Haematology all ok. Please help! I just want to be normal again. I don’t even remember how that feels anymore

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How low is ferritin? Are you supplementing? If so how much

As you are vegan presumably you supplement B12 and Vitamin B complex?

Can you add actual vitamin results for vitamin D, folate and B12

Do you supplement selenium?

Very important to have all vitamins optimal first

Adding T3, usual advice is to start very slowly.

Which T3 have you got? Mercury, Morningside or Teva?

Cutting tablet into 1/4's. Starting with just a quarter tablet once day. If that goes ok, after a week increase to twice a day. Hold that dose for 6 weeks and retest. Post results on here for advice

[trelemorele]

How are you planning on moving to t3 only?

Has she given you prescribton for 75 mcg t3 a day to replace 150 mcg t4?

I doubt with the dose she is prescribing you'll be able to move solely to t3.

Normally people start with 10mcg t3 x 2 a day in addition to t4.

My 1st combination therapy with t4+t3 was:

150 t4 reduced to -->

>>125 mcg t4 + 10 mcg t3 x 2.

This was per endo advise.