Hi - I have an underactive thyroid - I take 100mg of levothyroxine daily. I have done for 5 years since I was pregnant with my last child.
I suffer with very painful feet, joint pain, I have ibs and an inflamed gallbladder.
In the last 2 years my weight has increased dramatically - i have put on about 50lbs - despite joining an slimming group for the last year it has been so difficult to lose - I can lose and put on 7 lbs in a week. Im so fed up with it.
My latest set of bloods which I paid for myself show:
Would I benefit from taking T3 instead of levo? My gp won't prescribe it without an endo writing it - or would i be better off just buying it myself online as nhs won't dispense it anymore as its too expensive.
Please advise your thoughts - and can you PM with where to buy it?
thanks.
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Vikkidutts
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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, delay and take straight after. 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
I had my bloods done on 27/2/18 - using the medichecks thyroid plus diy testing kit. Followed the protocol - no levo taken for day before, fasted and did the blood test in the morning when i got up.
GP won't test me. Ive got to go private. as far as gp is concerned my TSH level is in "normal range". I take magnesium, vit b conplex, and a general multivitamin and mineral as well as iron supplement (I'm anaemic all the time).
Obviously gluten intolerance is extremely common with Hashimoto's, but others on here who definitely don't have Hashimoto's have still found gluten free diet helps. Something to consider
No point testing B12 or folate if supplementing. Plus you know you are Anaemic so no point testing ferritin
Suggest you test vitamin D though
There's likely iodine in your multivitamin. Iodine is very controversial with thyroid disease, general view is best avoided, especially Hashimoto's.
It's your FT4 which is low in range not FT3. I would ask your GP to increase Levothyroxine dose to raise FT4 and FT3.
The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.2 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email dionne.fulcher@thyroiduk.org if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.
Thyroid antibodies are negative for autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's).
My T3 & T4 need to be in the upper quarters & TSH below 1, before I am am able to lose weight. If it’s a normal person 1 wk to lose 1-2lbs, it will take me 3wks to lose it.
Many will suggest that you don’t do heavy cardio exercise until TSH is in the upper quarter.
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