Morning all, I wonder if anyone would be able to help with my recent thyroid test results. I am currently on 150mcg Levothyroxine and have been for quite some time now. However, I am feeling really ropey right now, have gained over a stone, feeling the cold, depressed, retaining fluid and just generally not right. Any help most appreciated, thanks in advance.
FT4 13.2 pmol/L (range 12.0 - 22.0)
TSH 0.94 miu/L (range 0.27 - 4.2)
Oh and my cholesterol is at 6.1 too
Well, it would be. You're under-medicated. Even without seeing your FT3, your FT4 is much too low.
How do you take your levo? Do you take it on an empty stomach, leaving at least an hour before eating or drinking? Do you take any other medications or supplements at the same time?
Thanks for the reply Greygoose and nice to know that my symptoms are due to being under-medicated. I haven't been tested for FT3. I always take on an empty stomach, along with my antidepressants (citalopram), which I understand don't interfere with levo. All other supplements are taken are taken many hours apart. I have a telephone consultation with my doctor later today so will see what she says, I am hoping for an increase in levo.
Well, they don't interfere with levo if you take them two hours after. If you take them at the same time, they will interfere with absorption. Levo should always be taken strictly on its own, well away from anything else. So, if you start taking your citalopram two hours after your levo, your FT4 will doubtless start to rise. 
I didn't know that! I will definitely take them more than two hours apart from now on. Thanks very much for the advice
You're welcome. When your FT4 rises, you might even find you don't need them anymore.
Your situation sounds very much like mine was...it turned out that I was not adequately converting T4 to T3
Ask GP for thyroid tests which include FT3...if not possible these can be done privately....advice available on forum. This will confirm conversion......or not.
In haste....apologies!
Thanks DippyDame, are you taking meds for T3 now? Are they helping? I will definitely ask for this to be done, thank you.
Yes Smoothie461 I started taking the thyroid hormone T3 in Feb, it's not a quick fix so patience and determination required....if T3 is required that is!
However, and most importantly, before considering self medicating (and the chances are that is the only way you will source T3 should blood tests prove that it would help) you must have the following tested ...TSH, FT4 and FT3. Post the results on the forum, including lab ranges, then some of the well informed people here will advise you. You are under-medicated (Greygoose is the expert, I just waffle on!) and may only need to have your levothyroxine increased; these test results will determine that.
It would also be wise to ensure that you are not deficient in the following, optimal levels are necessary for thyroid hormone to work properly - Vit D, Vit B12, Folate and Ferritin
I'm now beginning to feel some improvement but still adjusting amounts of combined T4/T3 in an attempt to achieve an optimal dose. By the end of last year I had become so unwell that I could hardly function yet my GP didn't connect this to my hypothyroidism, diagnosed about 25 years ago - Fibromyalgia and CFS were diagnosed instead. That's when TUK came to the rescue, it's a fund of amazing information and advice without which I would still be very unwell. I also read widely, including Dr Barry Peatfield-Durrant's book "Your Thyroid and how to keep it healthy"....knowledge is power!
You needn't continue to feel "ropey", you just need to keep an open mind and follow the advice offered here - you're in safe hands, I can vouch for that!
Best...
DD
Yes, definitely keep going back to your doctor and ask for a referral to an endocrinologist. The problem is that the NHS only does certain tests and will not prescribe T3 medication. If possible find a private doctor who specialise in Thyroid disorders as they may be able to do tests that the NHS don't do. I was born with a Hypothyroid condition and my levels have been unstable for quite a few years. I am now taking 150mcg Levothyroxine.
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