I feel so hopeless. I take 100mcg levo for hypothyroid found 4 years ago and I feel no better. I have low iron, low vitamin d, hair falling out, flaky skin all over my back, constipation, aching in muscles, tiredness, periods bleeding me dry, itchy feeling all over my skin. I just want to feel better but for some reason I'm just not. please advise? thank you
TSH 4.3 (0.2 - 4.2)
FT4 17.1 (12 - 22)
FT3 3.6 (3.1 - 6.8)
TPO ANTIBODY 87 (<34)
FERRITIN 22 (15 - 150)
FOLATE 2.3 (2.5 - 19.5)
VIT B12 238 (180 - 900)
VIT D 30.8
(Vitamin B12 injections started June 2018
Vitamin D 800iu taking since Dec 2013
Iron tablets taking 1 since Feb 2017)
Written by
rebze
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So, what are you doing about your low iron and vit D? If they're low, they're bound to make you bad. And, your probably have low B12 and folate, too. Have they been tested?
Have you ever seen your blood test results? Do you know what your doctor is testing? Do you know what the results and ranges are? If so, post them here. There can be all sorts of reasons why you still don't feel good - under-medicated, not absorbing the levo, not converting the levo, low nutrients. But, we won't know what's causing your problems if we don't see the test results. In the UK, it's your legal right to have a copy, so go and ask for a print-out - not a verbal report, too many mistakes can creep in there. And don't settle for the usual GP fuzzing : 'fine', 'ok', 'in-range', 'high', 'low', etc. You need hare facts! The actual numbers : results and ranges. And then we'll be better able to help.
Yes, of course they tell you that, but they don't really have a clue! And, your thyroid isn't fine at all. You are very under-medicated to have a TSH over 4 - it should be one or under. Your FT4 is not bad, but your FT3 is much too low, and it's low T3 that causes symptoms. So, you really, really need and increase in dose - time to start putting your foot down with the doctor - and get your TSH down to 1 and then see how you feel.
It might be a good idea to get new labs done, because you have Hashi's, and things can change drastically in a very short time. Do you know you have Hashi's? Do you know how that works?
I don’t think it matters, does it? @rebze is asking for help and clearly needs it. If @rebze had cold feet and chose to delete their post for whatever reason, thats ok. Understandably not everyone feels comfortable posting their personal details, even if it really is necessary in order to them.
Suggest you read up as much as possible about Hashimoto's.
Masses of info on 1000's of posts on here
Improving your vitamin levels is absolutely essential
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Vitamin D is too low. Dose needs increasing. Aiming to improve to around 100nmol. Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function. Suggest you try 3000iu for 2-3 months and retest. It's trial and error what dose each person needs. Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there. Retesting twice yearly via vitamindtest.org.uk
Also read up on importance of magnesium and vitamin K2 Mk7 supplements when taking vitamin D
Your VitD dose is pathetic and as you can see it has done little to raise your level to 100 + where it is better. I suggest you read and read the posts here to learn more about how to manage and improve your own health ...
Suggest you make an appointment to see GP, ask for 25mcg dose increase of Levothyroxine to 125mcg daily
Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased
Official NHS guidelines saying TSH should be between 0.2 and 2.0 when on Levothyroxine
(Many of us need TSH nearer 0.2 than 2.0 to feel well)
Also ask GP for coeliac blood test. If test result is positive you will have to remain on gluten rich diet until endoscopy (max 6 weeks wait). But if result is negative then you can immediately change to strictly gluten free diet. This is likely to really help reduce symptoms
Now you have started B12 injections, you should also be prescribed folic acid. Alternatively you could self supplement a daily good quality vitamin B complex - one with folate in rather than folic acid. Eg Igennus Super B or Jarrow B right - both available online eg on Amazon
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
Re heavy periods. My personal experience over a 10 year period of terribly heavy periods, referal to gynecology, polyps removed, lining of womb scraped all with no change I have started using magnesium spray which has made a huge difference, back to normal after 10 years of embarrassing flooding, getting up 3 times plus a night etc - certainly with trying.
Ok by the looks of your antibodies, you have hasimotos, and by the look of your vitamin D and B vitamins being low, I'd say you have both low stomach acid needed to break down and absorb nutrients. The antibodies are probably systemic Candida, and in the thyroid.
The fact your iron isn't increasing is most likely due to an imbalance of iron, copper and zinc. I'd say high copper is the problem but needs checking. Plus your zinc is most likely low, as I noticed your TSH is high, FT4 is ok and the FT3 being low suggests you have HIGH reverse T3. And have adrenal fatigue, high cortisol, this needs checking too to confirm, as bet you get wired=stressed and tired=fatigue. Y/N here's why if yes..
Zinc suppresses Cortisol and Cortisol suppresses Thyroid hormone. Hence the low FT3 and no doubt high RT3
So extra needed testing is on Zinc, Copper, Cortisol,
Once I balanced my zinc properly, the thyroid and adrenals balanced and happy days. But you need go find out the levels to see if the copper is suppressing iron and zinc, or just not getting enough zinc in the diet. If the Zinc were high you'd have hyperthyroidism... and low Cortisol.
Hope that helps. May pay you to make a copy for the doctors, so they know why your asking for the tests...
It will be difficult to simply increase Thyroxine (T4) and it prove successful unless your nutrient deficiencies are corrected. This is especially true for iron and ferritin. Adequate iron and ferritin levels (among other nutrients) are necessary for producing your own thyroid hormone (if possible) and then for facilitating the conversion of T4 into T3 -- no matter from where the T4 originates.
When we take T4 and don't have adequate nutrients for facilitation of its conversion into the healing T3 (Triodothyronine) needed in our cells to ensure optimal health. When T4 cannot convert in a timely fashion it builds up and becomes what is known as Reverse T3. Many doctors don't know about the issue of RT3 and instead rely on blood tests that are often misleading. However, yours are not. You definitely are undermedicated and need help. You also should see a nutritionist and then follow their lead to optimal levels of every nutrient in which you are deficient. Rely on Functional Medical charts to give you that information.
The doctor you see at this time probably cannot help you. Unfortunately, this is not unusual at all.
Therefore, educate yourself. The article at the link below will be of some help to you. Feel good that you're in the right place to get help from those who are very knowledgeable and experienced regarding the subject.
The more you know, you the faster you will get what you need and return your health to optimal.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
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