Explanation please

[Evyb]

I am on Levothroxine 50mcg.

What is T3.

Could it give me some energy ?

[greygoose]

Levothyroxine is T4, a storage hormone. T4 is converted to T3 by removing one atom of iodine. However, as you are on only 50 mcg levo, both your FT4 and your FT3 will be low. It takes time for the body to synthesise thyroid hormone.

How long have you been taking 50 mcg levo? I'm assuming you've only just started. You should go and get retested six weeks after starting the 50 mcg, to see what your levels are now. You will probably need an increase in dose.

T3 is the active thyroid hormone, needed by every cell in the body to function correctly. So, in principle, it should give you energy. But, it's too early to be thinking about that, yet. Hormones need to be started low, and raised slowly. No doctor would give you T3 straight off.

It's true that some people don't convert very well, and need to take synthetic T3. But, it's too early to tell how well you convert. You TSH would need to come down to around 1 before we could see that. So, you probably have a way to go.

[Evyb in reply to greygoose]

Thank you Greygoose (I used to keep a goose hatched by a hen!)

I have been taking Levothyroxine for 2 years. Started on 25mcg. A kind nurse increased it to 50mcg approx 6months ago.

Friday I was called u p to have my 'level' checked. Appointment was made for 12noon and no Fasting required. I did enquire abt that. Plebacist (? Spelling) said surgery would phone if result not satisfactory.

Any guidance appreciated.

[greygoose in reply to Evyb]

Your doctor is negligent. The protocol is to start on 50 mcg levo and retest after six weeks, increase by 25 mcg and continue like that until all your symptoms are gone.

Do you have copies of your labs 6 months ago? If not, ask for a copy, and for a copy of your latest labs.

We always advise people to have their blood tests early in the morning - at least before 9 am - and fast over-night. Leave 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the blood draw. TSH is highest early in the morning, and drops after eating, and doing it that way ensures that you have the highest TSH, and the most accurate FT4 (if your doctor even tests that!). But, doctors, nurses, etc. don't know anything about that, it's a patient-to-patient tip. And it sounds like your doctor knows nothing whatsoever about thyroid - nor does he care - is it possible for you to change doctors?

[Evyb in reply to greygoose]

Thanks.

No, I hav'nt any results.

Yes, I could change Quacks, however, the practice I am with is said to be the best in the area. The last time I saw a GP for something unrelated to my Thyroid, I saw a new man, young and appeared interested. So I could ask to see him .

[greygoose in reply to Evyb]

I think it would be a good idea, yes. Because, so far, you've been seriously neglected!

[Evyb in reply to greygoose]

Yup, will do.

If I can get some energy and ? Motivation I will go Asap.

I happened upon your correspondence 're Soya.

The locum whom I saw when I discovered a lump in my breast recommended I read a book about this sort of cancer and the incidence of breast cancer in countries where very little dairy is consumed. Therefore, following treatment 10 years ago I am still off the dairy and on the Soy (actually only the Soy milk), in fact I have a mug of it at night as I have to take a tablet , the instructions are to take with or after a meal at night ! Perhaps I should ditch the Soy and go for skimmed milk. I think I will.

[greygoose in reply to Evyb]

I think you should go for full cream milk - unless you dislike it. It's much better for you. But, I think it would be a good idea to ditch the soy milk!

[Evyb in reply to greygoose]

Thank you greygoose, I am new to this type of communication and it has given me a 'lift'. Husband says the latest container of Soy milk is organic, probably will still return to cow ,will make the shopping easier, however I gather we are about to get our fresh milk delivered again by a milkman. Good.

[Evyb in reply to Evyb]

P.S. Greygoose.

The reason for having skimmed milk is because the oestrogen which I am to avoid is in fat I gather.

[greygoose in reply to Evyb]

So, you never eat butter or cheese?

“For example, butter is about 80 percent fat, and one serving contains 1.9 nanograms (billionth of a gram) of estrogen. One 8-ounce glass of whole milk contains 2.2 nanograms of estrogen. One 8-ounce glass of skim milk contains 0.8 nanograms. The human body produces from 54,000 nanograms to 630,000 nanograms of estrogen per day,” she said.

bestfoodfacts.org/is-there-...

Not a very good reason for forgoing the benefits of full-cream milk.

[greygoose in reply to Evyb]

Doesn't matter if it's organic, that's not the problem. They problem is the way soy - any soy - affects your thyroid and thyroid hormone.

[Evyb in reply to greygoose]

That's right. I have olive oil spread and use a lot of oil also only recently and only very occasionally do I have cheese. The house is awash with full fat products however I have pretty well stuck to the no or low fat products.

I gave up on the anti oestrogen medication about a year ago to see if that. helped with my energy levels. I think it has done a little. One Medico suggested that as my cancer had been so strongly oestrogen positive I should stay on the medication for life. I came off it hoping to get some life back.

I am trying to find your correspondence 're Soya again but cannot, I just happened upon it ! Where is

it or how do I access it ?

[Treepie in reply to Evyb]

Fermented soy products are supposedly

oK but not unfermented soy.

[greygoose in reply to Treepie]

Even that is doubtful, now.

[Treepie in reply to greygoose]

Really? I must have missed that.

[greygoose in reply to Treepie]

Yes, there was a post on here a while ago, don't remember the details, but it said that fermented soy is worse than unfermented. And I thought oh, pooh, pooh, pooh, but when I researched it, the latest thinking is exactly that. That fermentation does not remove the nasties, but makes them nastier! Wish I'd kept the post, but I forgot.

[Treepie in reply to greygoose]

Blast! Out with the soy sauce.

[greygoose in reply to Treepie]

Yes, I know. The only form of soy I ever liked. But it made me very, very ill before I was diagnosed, and I've avoided it ever since.

[Evyb in reply to Treepie]

Yes, this is serious, i only ever use a drop or two but it will be missed. Do you think I could have a drop.or two on the odd occasion ? Can't think of what one could substitute it for. Any suggestions anyone ?

[greygoose in reply to Evyb]

Oh, sorry, I didn't know that. But, even if you avoid dairy fat, low-fat diets are very, very bad for you. And, If you're avoiding oestrogen, I'm amazed that you consumed soy milk!

Soy milk can be used as a milk replacement for people who are lactose-intolerant or who seek to increase their intake of soy protein. Like all soy products, soy milk has compounds that can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body and affect estrogen levels. It is not clear, however, that increased consumption of soy milk can have any effect on estrogen levels.

livestrong.com/article/5258...

Do you mean this article?

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Evyb in reply to greygoose]

Thanks. No I don't think so. Something came up when I stumbled on your debate abt soya and its side effects. Anyway be that as it may. Can you recommend a book or some info abt Soya as I am really surprised I have been duped for so long.

[greygoose in reply to Evyb]

Sorry, can't recommend anything. But, I know I did post something else about soy, a long time ago, I'll have a look.

If you want to look through my posts yourself, go here :

healthunlocked.com/user/gre...

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

You might find this interesting :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu......

[Evyb in reply to greygoose]

I do not know where my letter to you has gone , it may turn up but in the meantime, thank you, much appreciated. Good stuff.

[greygoose in reply to Evyb]

Do you mean a reply to me on this thread? If so, and it hasn't turned up yet, it won't turn up at all, I'm afraid. Same goes for a PM, really.

[Evyb in reply to greygoose]

Yes , on this thread. Letter just about your recommendations, very pleased with them, thanks.

Took the Levo at 4 on empty stomach, feeling better.

What was the PM you mentioned ?

[greygoose in reply to Evyb]

A PM is a Private Message. You can send one by going onto the person's profile, and clicking on message, should you ever need to.

[Jeppy in reply to Evyb]

... I've just bought lactose free milk, haven't yet studies any baddies in it! x

[Evyb in reply to Jeppy]

Thank you Jeppy. I must research Lactose free milk, feel as tho I am getting back into harness again after a lull !

I bought single Elmtree cream today to have with the early Scottish strawberries (delicious) only to find it has butter milk in it, ha, back to the drawing board again. Best.

[Jeppy in reply to Evyb]

Yes lull is good word!!! Lol i call it default haha

Why, whats wrong with buttermilk, butter ok milk can be ok 😊

[silverfox7]

I take an oestrogen suppressor as I've had breast cancer and found I needed to up my thyroid meds a little as I read a different brand lowers absorption. I also took it 12 hours after my thyroid meds. After about 6montbs post op and after finishing radiotherapy I was able to drop my dose back to what it had been so I assumed it took my body time to settle down after the changes it had been subjected to.

[Evyb in reply to silverfox7]

Thank you silverfox. That's interesting. I took my Levothyroxine at abt 3 this am with Ribena juice instead of abt 7 followed by my fruity breakfast. Unusually I slept through until 8.45 and have felt much better all day, so the Levo had over 6 hours to work.

How long have you been taking the oestrogen suppressor for ?

I am going to have to have a think abt that.

[silverfox7 in reply to Evyb]

Nearly 2 years now. Recommended 5 but more likely to be 10.

[Evyb in reply to silverfox7]

Current think I n g is 10years at the moment and if you are not getting any problem side effects I would do so. I think the Chemo knocked me abt a bit but I think at long last I am starting to get my act together. Deo Gratis. Which med are you on ?

[silverfox7 in reply to Evyb]

Letrozole 2.5 mg. didn't have to have chemo so quite a wait for radiotherapy as still got to heal then I tried auricular acupuncture as that was new to the unit. Can't remember now what the advantages were but didn't feel any different until was at the 4th, last week. We could then have more free if we wished but drawn out of hat as to weather we got 2 or 4 more sessions. I pulled out 4 andci seem to remember was starting to sleep better plus it was good to meet up with others who had been through the same thing so we didn't feel self conscious or anything. I was going to then go privately once every 4 weeks and ready to contact a lady who was starting work aswell at the unit so felt more confident seeing someone they approved of. But I was so tired for a while so may be the old thyroid bit unsettled and then had a fall and a fracture, spiral metatarsal so huge boot on for months so never went to see the lady after all! Actually thing it was ankle fracture first then metatarsal so seeing Metabolic Bone Unit soon so be interesting whether they but that down to the Letrozole but at least they are keeping an eye on me! But feel pretty good at the moment.

[Evyb in reply to silverfox7]

Interesting. I was on Leitrozole laterly and then you had the fall with breakages. Yes, your bones will need looking at, lack of oestrogen causal of osteoporosis. For abt 5 years I was on Alendronic Acid , not without possible serious side effects, to help prevent the bone problems which I think it has. Touch wood. Poor you, as if you hadn't got enough to think about.

I have never heard of Aricular Acupuncture and will investigate this procedure to see if it can help me. Has it helped you ? Must have if you were thinking of more private treatments. I had my bloods done on Friday so will await the results of my Thyroid .

It's not easy having 2 major problems (ca and Thyroid) as I have found, however, discovering this forum has been a great help (I am very new to it) with everyone so helpful.

We're you ever given advice 're your diet.,? I was recommended , not by the Oncologists, rather the first Medico I saw, a youngish Locum who was on duty when I first discovered I had a problem, to read a book which recommended total abstinence of dairy food. The Oncologist s didn't object but thought the my bones should be watched and they were, don't ask me what because I had so much going on at the time memory a bit hazey.

Just remembered, the Alendronic Acid may have been prescribed by a new GP when I told him abt the Dairy free diet. According to my dentist it is a good but very dangerous drug and must be used with caution.

For me, my diet needs looking at. Greygoose points out the benefits of dairy foods in one's diet but apart from that it is very healthy I think.

[silverfox7 in reply to Evyb]

I eat a lot of dairy! Few years ago I did a good intolerance test. I knew I had some problems and suspected others. Came back with 142 intolerances which included some low bits even though already supplementing, a few E numbers, one of which was a dye to be used in cancer op so had a wire in instead. Went on a. Rouse after it so ate according to results and felt much better for it! I still eat some things on the list but not very often! Oh and recently fallen and broken my wrist badly so plated and many screws and still can't make a fist. So not been an easy few years!

Will let you know how the Bine Density goes. Feel a bit sorry for the unit. Last time for my baseline I had to be remapped as now got two new hips so still got lower spine and right forearm as left handed. So now right arm got loads of screws so will have to do my left arm!

[Evyb in reply to silverfox7]

That's awful. Why are you falling over ? Anything to do wth low thyroid levels I wonder, worth a mention I think.

You said earlier that there was ? about Leitrizole being the cause of these falls, I wonder how it could be.

[silverfox7 in reply to Evyb]

Not so much falling over but all were complete accidents and nothing to do with Letrozole though it is may be to be a cause of osteoporosis hence being on a trial as it's a new drug I understand.