Hi everyone. I have been managing my levels pretty well and not had the sad feeling for quite awhile now. But the past two weeks I haven't felt myself and these past few days I've had that waves of sadness back. My bloods were done on march 7th. Tsh was 0.28 range is (0.27-4.2) T4 was 21.5 I can't remember what range that starts at but it does end at 22.5.
I am rubbish at this but it looks to me that my tsh is getting into the over active range am I right?
I have felt a little upset, low in mood, and digestive problems on and off. Do you think I could be over medicated now or is it possible for me to swing into underactive in just a few weeks? I am not getting tested again until next week.
I feel awful, I can't be bothered doing anything, I just feel unwell and unhappy. I was wondering if I am right if I should cut back on a 25 tonight???
thanks NIckyx
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NickyUk
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If you were diagnosed as hypothyroid and prescribed Levo, it's not possible to suddenly become overactive. You can be overmedicated though. Your current TSH and FT4 results are within range so you are not overmedicated.
However, it's FT3 that is important. T3 is the active hormone that every cell in our bodies need. If you don't convert T4 to T3 well enough, your FT3 will be low and cause symptoms.
You really need FT3 testing at the same time as FT4 but that's unlikely with the NHS in primary care. It's the lab that decidesl if FT3 is tested even when a GP requests it, and if TSH is in range it's unlikely to be done.
You could do a private home test with our recommended labs.
You really also need to test vitamins and minerals as these need to be optimal for us Hypos. You could ask your GP for
Vit D
B12
Folate
Ferritin
Deficiencies in these can produce symptoms which can be mistaken for hypo symptoms.
If you can't get these and the FT3 tested by your GP then I strongly suggest you do this test
My Doctors will not do t3 so I will have to get that done myself. I understand now that I cannot become overactive when diagnosed as under active thank you. Do you think I could be over medicated now as those results were from March? My tummy is all messed up and that’s what makes me thinking I am taking too much also prior to this I have been on a diet and lost a bit of weight which could be a factor in absorbing too much .. no?
March is only last month so at best 5-6 weeks ago. Those results do not indicate overmedication, they are in range.
How much Levo are you taking?
I suggest to get the full picture you do the test I linked to, post the results and let's go from there. No point trying to guess anything, you could have deficiencies in nutrient levels which will have an impact on your thyroid, so let's see how things stand first.
SeasideSusie I have ordered the test and it comes tomorrow, now shall I not take my lyvo before the test? I take my lyvo at 3.30 am so that it doesn't clash with other meds.
You need to leave 24 hours between last dose of Levo and blood test. So I would just delay taking it at 3.30am that day and take it after you've done the test. Do the test early morning, no later than 9am. It will be a little longer than 24 hours but that's not a problem.
By the way, don't do the test/post on a Friday/Saturday/Sunday. You could do the test on a Thursday but would need to use Special Delivery Guarantee by 1pm Next Day (costs approx £6.45) to ensure it gets there on Friday (I've even had the Guaranteed Next Day fail and it take 48 hours, Royal Mail don't really guarantee anything about delivery times!)You don't want it delivered on Saturday and it hang around all weekend.
If posting normal first class, do that no later than Wednesday.
If you've chosen the fingerprick option then hopefully you've got this lancet scrubsuk.com/bd-contact-act... as that is more effective than any others.
Make sure you are well hydrated, drink plenty of water the day before and also before doing the test.
Have a bowl of hot water to hand and swish your hand around in it until it goes red to get the blood flowing. If flow stops, repeat with the hot water.
You might want to whirl your arm around to get blood flowing too.
I always prick on the side of my finger, nearer the nail bed than the tip, as that gives me a better flow.
If you stand on a stool so that your arm is straight when collecting the blood that will help (gravity).
If blood flow slows, you can gently "milk" your finger but don't squeeze the blood out, it can get damaged.
Post your results (with reference ranges) in a new thread when you get them and we will comment.
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.
If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, and if on T3 don't take in 12 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. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances too, especially gluten. So it's important to get tested.
Don’t be frightened to take greater control of your meds.
A decrease in meds is an excellent way to understand what is happening to you as the reaction can give you good clues what your body needs.
Bloods are very useful but it is hard to get them often so dose decreases or increases can be simple ways to test out what the body needs temporarily.
If you feel better after a drop down this is ilkley to be the issue. If no change then it is another issue.
With your ft4 higher in range you may be making more rt3 so this could be why you feel lower in mood. Good ft4 levels can be fine around mid teens. I think the golden zone is 15-19.
hi thank you for replying. If I reduce by 25mc tonight, would I noticed a difference in a couple of days? my next bloods is Monday next week but I honestly feel I am getting worse by the day.
If we aren't converting sufficient T3 from levothyroxine (T4 and inactive) then we will not feel well. T3 is the only Active Thyroid hormone which is needed in our millions of T3 receptor cells and if levo isn't sufficient it cannot convert to enough T3.
Blood tests have to be done at the very earliest possible and don't take levo until afterwards. It should also be a fasting test but you can drink water. This helps keep the TSH at its highest as doctors are apt to reduce dose upon the result of the TSH. We actually need our TSH to be around 1 or lower with FT3 and fT4 in the upper part of the ranges.
i would try it and see. I notice changes in T4 levels very quickly, so if i missed 25 i would notice it the next day. Not everyone is as sensitive, but i would try it.
Because you have the blood test next monday it would be better to hold off to see what your level is like on this amount. That is in an ideal world, but if i was having a rubbish time i would certainly just try the lower dose to see if it brings any benefit. It might do nothing, but worth exploring.
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