should I give T3 a go?

[Vikkidutts]

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:

TSH 0.879 (range 0.27-4.20)

Free thyroxine 13.1 (range 12.00-22.00)

T4 75.5 ( range 59.00-154.00)

Free T3 4.44 (range 3.10 - 6.80)

Thyroglobulin antibody <10 (range 0.00 - 115.00)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies 15.2 (range 0.00 - 34.00)

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.

[Clutter]

Vikkidutts,

Can you edit your post to include the FT4, FT3 and thyroid antibodies lab ref ranges (figures in brackets after results)?

[Vikkidutts in reply to Clutter]

amended - see above.thanks.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Your FT4 looks low but need ranges to confirm that

TSH should be low in range and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range

Ask GP to test vitamins and get ranges for these test results

Have you had TPO and TG antibodies tested?

That's strange range for Thyroglobulin antibodies. Can you double check

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, 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

[Vikkidutts in reply to SlowDragon]

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.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Vikkidutts]

So you don't appear to have Hashimoto's as antibodies are low

FT4 is very low, this suggests you need dose increase. FT4 should be near top of range.

Increase in Levothyroxine should improve low FT3 as well

Ask GP for 25mcg dose increase in Levothyroxine. If GP is reluctant ask for it as trial. Retesting in 8 weeks

Definitely get vitamins tested asap too

[Vikkidutts in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you for your reply

[Vikkidutts in reply to SlowDragon]

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).

TPO was 15.2 and TG was the <10 result I think?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Vikkidutts]

Persistent low vitamins with supplements suggests coeliac disease or gluten intolerance

gluten.org/resources/health...

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.

[Clutter]

Vikkidutts,

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 [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

Thyroid antibodies are negative for autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's).

[Vikkidutts in reply to Clutter]

thanks

[silverfox7]

Yes I would increase T4. Also do you take your iron and D3 4 hours away from the thyroid meds?

[Vikkidutts in reply to silverfox7]

Thanks

[EleanorM-G]

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.

[Vikkidutts in reply to EleanorM-G]

Thanks