My latest blood test is a surprise and my endocrinologist says I am correctly medicated but I still have the same symptoms, is this right?

[Dobbsya]

I am told that I have had high TSH for at least the last 5 years which has gone untreated (shown in historical blood tests). In February (3.5 months ago) my results were:

Serum TSH 47 mu/L [0.35 - 5]

Serum free T4 11.9 pmol/L [9-24]

at that time my levothyroxine was increased to 150, which I have taken for over 3 months until the most recent tests which show:

Serum TSH 0.32 mu/L [0.35 - 5]

Serum free T4 23 pmol/L [9-24]

Serum free T3 5.3 pmol/L [3.5-6.5]

My endocrinologist says that I am now slap bang in the middle of 'normal' therefore the medication is at the right level and any symptoms (still gaining weight, brain fog, fatigue etc) must be attributable to something else.

all other tests B12, iron etc are in normal parameters.

Is there something I am missing or should be looking at?

regards

[Nanaedake]

Have you had Hba1c levels tested?

[crimple]

What are your b12 Vt D , ferritin, folate ad iron levels?

[Dobbsya in reply to crimple]

Hi, Thanks for answering.

I have had a whole battery of tests, many of which I don't understand at all but I think these are what have been asked for (someone else mentioned the blood ones at the end).........

Plasma Vit B12 822 ng/L [200-900]

Serum ferratin 63 ug/L [15-250]

Seum folate 5.8 ug/L [2-17]

Haemoglobin estimated 149 g/l [115 - 165]

MCH 29.5 29.5 pg [26 - 35]

MCHC 322g/L [290 - 350]

I cant see that I have had vit D tested but having read some entries on here, I took vit D supplements (over the counter) for about a month but didn't feel any different so haven't kept it up. (always taken at least 4 hours after the levothyroxine).

[Treepie]

Normal parameters does not mean you are at an optimal place for you in the ranges. Post answers to Crimple.

[MCDW]

My endocrinologist told me to be patient regarding resolution of symptoms. Your body has been out of kilter for a long while, and it’s unlikely to recover that quickly.

Do post your vitamin and mineral results for others to comment on. Optimal vits and minerals are essential.

[Rosierebel]

Doctors and Endocrinologists just look at blood tests then they think as the blood test looks OK therefore the patient is fine, they don't listen to how we feel. Also Levothyroxin side effects are weight gain and fatigue which is the same as the symptoms of hypothyroidism, so no win situation here and we only get offered one type of medication. Disgusting really

[Learner1]

It actually looks like you might be slightly overmedicated with those results. Your FT4 is at the high end of the range, FT3 is fine, but TSH may be starting to be suppressed.

However, given your symptoms, it might be wise to look further.

Have you had a 24 hour saliva cortisol test to see how your adrenals are doing? Or had estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, DHEA, pregnenolone, and SHBG checked?

Its important to get to the bottom of hormone issues to avert serious health problems.

[greygoose]

Why on earth do they think that slap-bang is the middle is such a good place to be??? Most hypos need their FT3 up the top of the range to feel well. You aren't slap-band, anyway. Slap-bang is 5, not 5.3. Silly man.

The problem is that it takes a lot of levo to get you to that point in the FT3 range, so you are a poor converter. To get your FT3 any higher, your FT4 will have to go over-range, and that can cause problems to some people - not all, but some. So, what you need to do is add some T3 to a reduced dose of levo. But, by the sound of him, your endo wouldn't like that idea!

[Dobbsya in reply to greygoose]

I suspect not, especially as they are very aware that my sibling is prescribed T3 as they have an issue with conversion and still haven't entertained the thought for me.

[greygoose in reply to Dobbsya]

Well, it's also your issue. So, really, there's only one way out. Buy your own.