Feeling Exhausted. Please look at test results.

[lucylocks]

Hi,

I recently posted my latest Medicheck results and received replies re my low Vitamin D and Folate levels and was advised to increase my supplements which I have done.

I understand I will not feel any improvement in such a short time but was wondering if it is best to increase my dose of levothyroxine, as the last few days I have felt exhausted, feeling foggy, Insomnia is worse and feel down in the dumps.

Link to previous post,

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

I have copied results from previous post so it is easier to compare with the December results,

April 2018,

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE *0.021 mIU/L 0.27 - 4.20

FREE THYROXINE 17.8 pmol/L 12.00 - 22.00

TOTAL THYROXINE(T4) 78.5 nmol/L 59.00 - 154.00

FREE T3 4.1 pmol/L 3.10 - 6.80

THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODY 115.000 IU/mL 0.00 - 115.00

THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES 21.1 IU/mL 0.00 - 34.00

Results December 2017.

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE *0.014 mIU/L 0.27 - 4.20

FREE THYROXINE 19.4 pmol/L 12.00 - 22.00

TOTAL THYROXINE(T4) 91.4 nmol/L 59.00 - 154.00

FREE T3 5.04 pmol/L 3.10 - 6.80

THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODY 103.000 IU/mL 0.00 - 115.00

THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES 20.8 IU/mL 0.00 - 34.00 (was 32.4 on another test)

The only thing I have done differently is, not taking as much water with my levo. because of the cold urticaria I have been diagnosed with. My Immunologist said not to gulp down cold water. I take my water to bed at night and take my levo. one hour before getting up. Obviously the water is cold so I am only sipping it when taking the tablet.

Could this have stopped it been absorbed properly and account for the reduction in my thyroid levels.

Any thoughts anyone.

Many thanks.

[Nanaedake]

Why don't you take a flask of room temperature water to the bedside with you. The reason for drinking a glass of water is to ensure it doesn't get stuck half way down and then swell up and cause choking. I don't know whether it would affect absorption. if TSH was 0.021 at the last test then it wouldn't be wise to increase dose of Levothyroxine as you will likely then be overdosed. Your exhaustion may be caused by something else like a virus.

[lucylocks in reply to Nanaedake]

Thank you, the flask idea is great, why didn't I think of that.

I know my TSH is low but T4 is only mid range and T3 below mid range so do not think an increase would make me overdosed. I know an increase would lower TSH even more but as we know here on the forum it is the T4 and T3 that count

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Improving your vitamin levels is likely to have improved your use of thyroid hormones, hence slight drop in total TT4, FT4 and FT3

As you have Hashimoto's you on strictly gluten free diet?

Do you avoid absolutely all soya including soya lecithin

What supplements do you take?

Despite very low TSH you probably need increase in dose of Levo.

Alternatively you need to look at adding small dose of T3

[lucylocks]

Hi SlowDragon,

many thanks for your reply

I do not eat soya.

I take 1000mg Vit C, just increased Vit D to 5000iu from 2000iu. Take a B complex and 2500 B12

Just purchased magnesium. Vit K2 and selenium and just started gluten free.

I do have some T3 in the cupboard. Do you think I would be best just adding say 6.25mcg (a quarter of a 25mcg. tablet) or increase the levo. by 12.5 mcg. or 25 mcg. or wait for supplements to kick in. I feel I need a boost now though.

[lucylocks]

Many thanks Londinium,

I told the Immunologist I was taking 2000iu Vit D but did not know at the time my level had dropped on this dose, so obviously 800iu would have been useless.

Thank you for the links. I have had a quick look and will read thoroughly this evening.

One thing I did notice was about the lack of Vit D and breast cancer. I had this when I was 39, now 63. I am now wondering if I have had a low Vit D all my life. When it was first tested four years ago it was 22.

Not sure what to do about thyroid meds. now. Should I wait until Vit D level has increased before increasing.

[lucylocks]

Thank you.

When my Vit D level was 22 my doctor gave me 800iu, but I bought my own and took 6000iu daily, got some summer sun and it raised to 90 but it took five months to get it to that.

Obviously when I reduced the dose my level dropped. I will take 5000iu and retest in a couple of months.

[lucylocks]

I usually take just after my evening meal. I will take during now.

[lucylocks]

My evening meal consists of meat or fish, would this have enough fat content.

[lucylocks]

Not sure which fats to take it with then. Do you mean olive oil and the like. What do you suggest?

[greygoose in reply to lucylocks]

Any fat will do. If you have a salad, olive oil is fine, or walnut oil, or hazelnut oil. If you eat a fatty fish like mackerel, that's fine, too. Butter on your potatoes or veggies. An avocado or cooking the fish in coconut oil. They're all good fats.

[lucylocks]

Thank you gg.

I will start to take it with these fats.

Do you mind looking at my thyroid levels as not sure what to do about my meds.

Thank you.

[Nanaedake in reply to lucylocks]

Only my non medical opinion but I expect T3 and T4 will rise as a result of improved nutrients and addition of Selenium. If postmenopausal you need to consider skeletal health. Vitamin D3 is great and make sure you are getting enough calcium in your diet.

I take a little coconut oil with vitamin D if my meal doesn't contain fats, or when I take it apart from a meal. It's very edible and even makes a good skin moisturiser.