Latest results

[MMAndrea52]

Hi again everyone. These are my latest results. Been told to reduce to 75mcg. Hope that’s enough to give me energy + temperature up. Don’t want to feel cold + depressed all the time . . .

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

MMAndrea52

Don't want to burst your bubble but I wouldn't be surprised if you feel worse. Your FT3 is too low, you're not converting well enough. Despite what has been written, FT3 is the most important result.

Have a look through this thread from the other day, I posted my experience of an endo reducing my dose when TSH was suppressed and FT4 over range

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

I wrote:

"Nearly 20 years ago an endo reduced my dose because my TSH was suppressed. He didn't care about my symptoms, only about the TSH. It didn't take much of a reduction, in fact only 25mcg at the time, but over a period of 4 months he'd managed to achieve his beloved "in range" TSH but didn't give a flying fig about where FT4 and FT3 were

Month 1: Suppressed (0.27-4.20) ~ Month 4: 0.4 (0.27-4.20)

and in doing so he did this to my FT4

Month 1: 23.7 (11.8-24.6) ~ Month 4: 15.6 (11.8-24.6)

and this to my FT3

Month 1: 5.2 (2.8-7.1) ~ Month 4: 2.8 (2.8-7.1)

What happened to me? I was so ill that I had to give up working in my own restaurant and my husband had to look after me for 2 years whilst carrying on with the business. All I could do was crawl out of bed just before he opened the restaurant at midday, he had to make my food and drinks, I couldn't do anything. I binned the endo, with the backing of my GP who did increase my Levo back up but much damage had been done and I'm probably still suffering the effects of it today."

I hope you don't end up in such a bad place as I did.

[MMAndrea52 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks susie. I really don’t know what to do? But I feel 75 is too low. Yes on a higher dose I was getting anxiety, however I attribute that to multiple factors not just the levythroxine. I’d started to take organic tumeric and it really had calmed me down. But on 75, I am tired, cold + depressed. Im going to stick to 87mcg, even tho if you look at my previous results my T3 was still low. I have no thyroid. And if reduced I may very well feel what’s the point. In this nightmare situation I find myself in. To be honest tho things are not so bad on 87. When I can manage the anxiety . . I don’t know what else I can do.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to MMAndrea52]

MMAmdrea52

I still have my thyroid, for what little good it does me! But from posts I've read on here when people have no thyroid then T4 alone isn't enough and many benefit from the addition of T3. Your results speak for themselves, you can see that with the result posted here, and it's been mentioned previously. In your shoes, if you can't get any help from the NHS, there is always self sourcing NDT or the addition of self sourced T3.

[MMAndrea52 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks but I can’t afford it. I feel hopeless

[MMAndrea52 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi susie. I have decided I am going to have to afford it. Iv found a site - (link removed by Admin) - can you advise on how much to start off on please. And do I just discontinue levythroxine?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to MMAndrea52]

MMAndrea52

First things first, you need optimal levels of Vit D, B12 Folate and Ferritin before starting T3 so if you haven't got your current levels then you should get those tested. Post results on here for comment.

No you don't discontinue Levo. You reduce the dose you were taking at the time of that test by 25mcg then add 6.25mcg T3, wait 2 weeks then add another 6.25mcg T3. Personally I would then wait 6 weeks and retest, you need to keep an eye on your FT4 and FT3 levels.

It's best to go low and slow adding T3 as it's quite potent and some people only need a small amount, so take it slow so you don't miss your sweet spot.

You will have to gradually tweak doses of Levo/T3 and keep your eye on your levels until you feel well.

[MMAndrea52 in reply to SeasideSusie]

By the way susie that was awful what happened to you, I must say! I hope things are much better for you? What meds + dose do you take now? And are you blood results in range now?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to MMAndrea52]

I had to take things into my own hands eventually. After lots of reading, joining here, testing, etc., I found I was severely Vit D deficient, had very low folate and ferritin, conversion of T4 to T3 was poor (which I now know would have been obvious from a suppressed TSH and very over range FT4 originally), adrenal problem, etc.

I now take Levo + T3 (not prescribed) and my results are paper perfect. The trouble now is that I have picked up other chronic conditions along the way and despite good thyroid results the other conditions are here to stay.

[MMAndrea52 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Well I’m glad your results are now good. I’ll get a full blood panel done then we can chat about getting me some additional T3, depending on the results. If you don’t mind me asking what chronic illness do you have now? I heard osteoporosis and heart troubles often associated with levythroxine. Sending you peace and love susie 💕✌🏼

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to MMAndrea52]

Well I seem to have escaped osteoporosis, at least I think so, not tested, but Mom did have it so maybe it's lurking round the corner! Have a look at my profile

[Maya_83 in reply to SeasideSusie]

This is my current situation now.. bed bound. And when I can get out of bed I have to crawl out as I feel so ill. My husband also does most things for me as well as look after out 5yr old☹

It will be 2 years in Feb..

I've tried adding t3 but still feel the same.

Feel so hopeless!!

[Jazzw]

Just wondering... When you had that blood test (the one above), how many hours did you leave it between taking your levo dose and having the test?

[MMAndrea52 in reply to Jazzw]

Hi jazz I didn’t have my levythroxine the morning of the blood test. Until after I had the blood test.

[MMAndrea52 in reply to MMAndrea52]

So it was like 24hours

[Jazzw in reply to MMAndrea52]

Ok, just wondered if that was the reason your FT4 was high. Hey ho. Such a struggle, isn’t it?

[MMAndrea52 in reply to Jazzw]

Well the docs say I have to reduce to 75, levythroxine, but I’m reluctant and susie says my T3 is too low anyway. I don’t know what to do. Yes it is such a struggle!! Thinking of buying my own Nature Throid . . .