Thyroid levels: Hi all, please could someone... - Thyroid UK

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Thyroid levels

jencat profile image
11 Replies

Hi all, please could someone explain to me my TSH level of 0.373? I have been on 25mcg of Levo for years now my doctor won't put me on a higher dose. I put myself on 50mcg and felt much better, had blood test and that was my level, he told me to throw them out and go back on 25mcg, I have tried to change doctors but there are'nt any available, we live in Spain.My free T4 is 1.09 and T3 is 3.3.I also have palpitations and sweats.

Jencat.

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jencat
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Your almost certainly under medicated. Can you add the ranges on these results

Do you ever come to Uk?

You need full testing including vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 plus thyroid antibodies

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when under medicated and/or have high thyroid antibodies (Hashimoto's)

Ask your Spanish GP to test both TPO and TG antibodies and vitamin levels

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

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. When on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. 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. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

jencat profile image
jencat in reply to SlowDragon

Hi thankyou for your quick reply, I do have blood tests early morning no medication and only drink water, it's going to be difficult to get everything tested as he says it's not necessary!! do you think the palpitations and sweats are from being under medicated? The ranges for TSH are 0.55-4.78 T4range is 0.71-1.85 and T3 2.3-4.2 I don't know how this compares to the uk though.We only go to the uk once a year.

It 's looking like I will have to find a private doctor.

Thanks again for your help.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to jencat

You can order postal kit when next in UK for full testing and results are emailed to you

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

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.

Low B12 can be cause of excess sweating

Palpitations can be low vitamin D and/or low magnesium (common if vitamin D is low)

Marz profile image
Marz

Do you have ranges for these results ?

roxanaleah profile image
roxanaleah

Jencat

Please help me understand two things:

1. Are the "palpitations and sweats" correlated to the self-directed increase to 50mcg?

2. Are the TSH 0.373 (.55-4.78); t4 1.09 (0.71-1.85); and t3 3.3 (2.3-4.2) resulting from the increase to 50mcg t4 or the 25mcg t4?

jencat profile image
jencat in reply to roxanaleah

roxanaleah thankyou for your reply, the blood test results are from the increase to 50mcg.i don't understand the TSH of 0.373?? and why he told me to go back to 25mcg.I have had the sweats and palpitations for a few years now (since taking thyroxine) it's not menopause related.I did feel better though after the increase to 50mcg.Is that TSH level leaning towards Hyper do you think?, sorry don't understand much about it all.

roxanaleah profile image
roxanaleah in reply to jencat

So, will you explain the circumstances, under which, you came to be prescribed levothyroxine in the first place?

Do you possess results from the second-to-last tests, when you were taking only 25mcg?

jencat profile image
jencat in reply to roxanaleah

Hi roxanaleah, I can't find my first blood test results but will have another look. The second to last reading while on 25mcg was ---TSH 4.993 free T4 0.94 (0.71-1.85 ) it will be different I think from the uk .

Niklew profile image
Niklew

Hi Jencat- could you agree with your GP to try alternating levo each day eg 25 Monday 50 Tuesday etc. Then test and see bloods and how you feel?

jencat profile image
jencat in reply to Niklew

Hi Niklew yes will try that thanks.

in reply to jencat

Hi jencat, I do agree with Niklew too. Also, it would be good to check your initial blood test before treatment with 25 mcg (sometimes labs worsen if dose too low, sometimes they are better).

Your TSH is getting suppressed, this is why he asked you to lower meds.

You said you started getting sweats and palps since starting treatment. This is why we need to see your initial results.

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