Mini update on my progress

[MrWellness94]

Hello all,

I just wanted to update you all on my progress thus far. I was diagnosed with Hashimotos on February 3rd and have been taking 50mcg of levothyroxine ever since. The first 4 weeks I felt worse than I did when not on levothyroxine. However, those horrible symptoms have since subsided. Additionally, my hands no longer feel icy cold, my anxiety has returned to normal and my brain isn’t as foggy as before (still is on occasion). I have also noticed a slight improvement in my mood. With that said, I still do not feel as well as I want to be but I know I am on the right path. My current symptoms are depression (not as bad as before taking Levo), weight gain, hair loss (not as severe but still bad), dry skin, trouble with memory, trouble concentrating and low libido. It has been exactly 6 weeks on Levothyroxine and I feel better than when I began! I will be getting my thyroid levels checked tomorrow. I sent an email to my doctor asking for an increase in dose as well as asking if there is a possibility to add T3 to the mixture. He agreed for a dose increase and also open about adding T3 treatment if Levo is not enough! Overall things are looking up and I hope this gives some hope to those who are struggling right now. I’d like to say a big THANK YOU to all the wonderful people who have helped me and to this entire forum because without it I would’ve never been able to feel better!

[MrWellness94]

Not so mini... lol

[Heloise]

Very good to hear, MrWellness, With all the symptoms that come with Hashimoto's you realize there are all those paths to wellness. I see you are being patient and agree that T3 might help things along so I hope he will accommodate you by adding some. They would have to do the FT3 test to find out how well you are converting the T4 otherwise it would be very difficult to tell. Let us know.

[MrWellness94 in reply to Heloise]

Heloise,

Thank you! Yes after reading other people’s post and gathering information I understood that it’s not just a thyroid problem. I am hoping that Levothyroxine will be enough but it’s nice to know my doctor is open to the idea of adding T3 which is something that is difficult to obtain, I think it’s more of an issue in the UK? I will be sure to check my FT3 before adding T3 to my treatment. Would you also recommend checking RT3 as well?

[Heloise]

I'm not sure about reverse. Some people believe in it as there is a ratio which may indicate how well the conversion is taking place or if there is some resistance. I guess if it's not a problem to test it, it may be interesting. I'm not sure of its value though if your symptoms are improving. From STTM: stopthethyroidmadness.com/r...

[MrWellness94 in reply to Heloise]

Heloise,

That make sense, I guess I’ll just stick with the usual TSH, T4 and T3 testing for now. Thanks!

[TSH110]

Great to hear you are starting to feel improvements and your doc is open to adding T3 to the Levothyroxine. As a healthy thyroid gland makes both and more research indicates T4 monotherapy does not always restore normal hormone levels, even if TSH appears optimised, it seems obvious to me the combination therapy ought to be superior, and better for ones long term health and well-being.

You should be able to knock all those persistent symptoms on the head in due course

☘️😊👍🏽😉🍀

[MrWellness94 in reply to TSH110]

Hey TSH110,

I agree with you each person is different and doctors have to understand that there isn’t a universal treatment for hypothyroidism. Additionally, they should know better than to say that T4 mono therapy is a “cure all” so to speak, for hypothyroidism. I acknowledge however there are those who feel better with T4, but everyone is different. Anyhow, hope to one day achieve optimal wellness and health. Thanks for your encouragement!

[Marz in reply to MrWellness94]

Have you checked your B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD levels too ? Levels need to be good with Hashi's. 😊

[MrWellness94 in reply to Marz]

Hello Marz,

Unfortunately I have not as it can be a little expensive, at least in the US. However I do supplement and have been for 3 months now - magnesium, selenium, B complex, Vitamin D +k and zinc. I have checked my ferritin levels previously I believe it was halfway through range so not too bad.

[Marz in reply to MrWellness94]

Great news. 😊 Hope there is enough B12 in the Complex. Maybe take a B12 lozenge on its own ....

[MrWellness94 in reply to Marz]

That’s actually a concern of mine as well! Thankfully I found Thorne B complex that, I believe, is pretty good. It contains methylated B vitamins. Along with this I take some extra B 12 (methylcobalamin) in liquid form. If anything I might have too much B 12 haha. I rather have too much than too little.

[Marz in reply to MrWellness94]

Excess B12 is excreted - 😊

[MrWellness94 in reply to Marz]

That’s good news, and it explains why my urine is extra yellow! Haha

[TSH110 in reply to MrWellness94]

I get that after taking a multivitamin 😂🤣😂

[TSH110 in reply to MrWellness94]

Yes oddly my sister and mother found T4 monotherapy wonderful. I was dismayed when the penny dropped that it was not wonderful for me. Even in the same family it can vary. Perhaps only I have the DIO2 gene mutation making my conversion of T4 to T3 compromised.