Hi, over the last week or so, I have noticed that I am sweating a lot more than usual, it is similar to when I was diagnosed as Hyperthyroid, however since having had RAI in 2013, the sweating improved a lot.
Could it be that I am over medicating? I am taking 200mcg Levothyroxine (my g.p. wanted to increase to 300mcg as per my last lot of bloods, but I declined politely).
The last lot of test results I have are from the 3rd May and are TSH 5.3miu/L (0.3-5.0) T4 19pmol/L (9.0-25.0).
In case you are wondering why I declined the 300mcg, I strongly believe that I have an absorption issue, but of course that falls on deaf ears..
I was recently diagnosed with Gastritis, and some sort of ulcer that had tried to heal itself, but was bleeding (I take Rivaroxaban for DVT in my leg), so that doesn't help. I am waiting for the biopsy results x 4 to come back, so will approach the absorption issue once again when I get the results.
Thank you for any help/suggestions..
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Chelle1310
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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)
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.
In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.
Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.
This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."
Professor Toft recent article saying, T3 may be necessary for many otherwise we need high FT4 and suppressed TSH in order to have high enough FT3. Note especially his comments on current inadequate treatment following thyroidectomy or RAI
Hi, I had B12, Vit D, Ferritin and folate tested in May, the results of which are B12 263ng/L (220-700) Folate 2.3ng/ml (2.6-17.3) Ferritin 31ng/ml (10-420) Vit D 32.. The only advice I was offered, regarding all of these results, was to take a Vit D supplement. No mention of the under range Folate, the low but in range B12. I spoke to a g.p., about the B12 and Folate, they insist everything is fine, eat more greens to help Folate, knowing I can't eat properly and haven't been able to eat properly for months.
Medics are just not interested in nutrients and their importance
Vitamin D was far too low. What dose are you supplementing?
Aiming to improve to around 100nmol. Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function. Suggest you supplement at 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
Insist on full testing from GP for Pernicious Anaemia before starting B12 injections. Or if GP refuses to offer injections look at daily good quality vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid eg Igennus Super B complex or a Jarrow B-right
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
Levothyroxine dose likely needs increasing by 25mcg
If improving vitamins does not improve low FT3 then likely need addition of small dose of T3
Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime
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 or at repeat prescription. Many patients do not get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. (Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients)
You may have a resistance issue. It is important to get an FT3 to see where that lies in the range. Your pituitary is not responding well to the T4 dose, which on the face of it seems adequate as regards blood level, so there seems to be some insensitivity there. But an FT3 would be very informative to see how well you convert T4 to T3.
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