The fact you have low vitamin levels confirms gut is affected by hypothyroidism and your FT3 remains low
Ask for trial of T3
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.
In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.
Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.
This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."
You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor please email Dionne at
tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
Professor Toft recent article saying, T3 may be necessary for many otherwise we need high FT4 and suppressed TSH in order to increase FT3
Are you supplementing B12 ? What about folate or a good vitamin B complex?
Medics unlikely to think you need them, but many patients find benefit
If you 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
Hi Slow Dragon, I have recently had my dose of levo increased to 175mcg despite the last increase making my T3 drop.
I am not supplementing with b12 specifically but am taking a multivit. Plus 60,000 iu of Vit D for another 2 weeks, then onto a maintance dose.
Stupid question but will the endo agree with the link between hypothyroidism and low vits? I appreciate you can’t say for the specific endo, but more of a general question I suppose.
In my own experience (seen at least 3 main Endo's and many junior assistants) not one tested or considered vitamins. I was tested for coeliac (negative) but like many with Hashimoto's discovered through reading this forum, that vitamins and gluten were key
Self testing revealed Vitamin D deficiency. Endo did suggest I should supplement, but only when I specifically asked.
B vitamin deficiency and peripheral neuropathy appeared once vitamin D started to improve on supplements. More on my profile
I did subsequently discover, when I got online access to my medical record, I had had vitamin D tested about 12 years ago and result was severe deficiency, but I had never been told or treated.
Correcting vitamins and gluten free diet have helped enormously
But biggest difference was addition of small dose of T3.
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