I am having trouble getting rid of the weight.

[Brownie49]

After many doctors appointments they have finally agreed I have subclinical thyroidism and it's not menopausal. My meds have been increased from 50mcg to 100mcg levothyroxine. (North Star), brilliant the first three weeks I lost 10lbs, had so much energy and felt so well.However, the weight has gone back on and some of the symptoms are returning along with a terrible upset tummy. I'm so frustrated, I've tried weightwatchers, slimming world, gone gluten free and go to the gym when I've the energy but still I cannot loose the weight by. Any ideas?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Brownie

You may not be optimally medicated. If you felt well and then the symptoms returned, it sounds like you were in need of an increase in dose.

What are your latest results? Can you post them with their reference ranges.

Also, to know that you are optimally medicated and that you are converting T4 to T3 well enough, you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 all tested at the same time from the same blood draw.

It would also be a good idea to test for current levels Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin. Optimal nutrient levels are needed for thyroid hormone to work properly.

Do you have raised antibodies - autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's?

[Brownie49 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi SeaSideSusie, unfortunately I don't have the latest results, TSH was taken in April after I insisted but they refused to do T4 and T3. I said to the docs I think I have metabolism issue and could it be T4 is not converting. I have asked for an Endo appointment as well. Diagnosed PA over a year ago and have b12 jabs every 12 weeks have asked for my levels to be checked, again refused as they said I should optimal and therefore does not need rechecking. when I asked about the upset tummy the doc said its because the dose is to high so I take 75 one day and 100mcg Levo the next, but hasn't made a difference, I wondering if it's the fillers.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Brownie49]

Brownie6

What brand of Levo do you take? Has it been changed and if so have any symptoms coincided with the change.

If your GP won't do all the tests then you may have to do what hundreds of us here do and that is a private test with one of our recommended labs. To get the full picture you could do either Medichecks Thyroid Ultravit or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus Eleven.

[Judithdalston in reply to Brownie49]

Have you changed brands of levothyroxin during this period of upping dose? Haven't heard too high a dose makes tum bad! In theory hypo weight comes off when we get on the right dose( I'm still waiting...)...it can be largely water absorbed by the wretched mucin below the skin. Perhaps your 10 lb loss was a sign of things to come...

[Brownie49 in reply to Judithdalston]

Was on Teva when by meds were upped I got presciption from Sainsburys and the brand is North Star. The only difference in fillers is the latter has lactose in it.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You need full Thyroid and vitamin testing

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies. Plus very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

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, delay and take straight afterL 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 are very common too, especially gluten and/or dairy. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Sounds like low vitamin levels or you're ready for next dose increase