Weight gain

[Slappiduck]

I’ve been on T3 since April , latest dose 20mg T3 and 100mcg levo. Bloods due again in a couple weeks before endo review.

In the last year I have slowly gained a stone and cannot shift it. I exercise 3 times a week , 2 HIIT classes and x 1 weight session. I have returned to work so don’t walk at all really - I used to do 50miles + a week but no other exercise.

Any advice? Do I need to increase T3? Prior to April I was on 150mcg of T4 and felt like a zombie. I feel better with more energy etc ( could be better but I have 2 young kids so I guess it could be worse).

[greygoose]

It wouldn't be wise to increase your T3 at this point. Wait and see what your labs say. You could skew the results if you increase now.

[Slappiduck in reply to greygoose]

Thanks GG. I wasn’t planning on doing it, plus my GP strictly controls the prescription so couldn’t anyway lol.

I guess was more wondering why my weight was less on just T4 when I wasn’t converting 🤔

[greygoose in reply to Slappiduck]

I couldn't venture an opinion without seeing blood test results from that time and now. Do you have Hashi's?

[Slappiduck in reply to greygoose]

As far as I am aware I don’t. I have just had an MRI as they are querying if I have Ankylosing Spondyltis. Full lot of bloods FBC, CRP, inflammatory panels , liver bloods all within normal limots

[greygoose in reply to Slappiduck]

None of that will tell you if you have Hashi's. You either need your antibodies tested, or an ultrasound on your thyroid.

[Slappiduck in reply to greygoose]

I had antibody tests done earlier in the year which were negative . I think they are in my profile.

[greygoose in reply to Slappiduck]

Can't find them. But, you can't rule out Hashi's with a single negative test on one type of antibody, anyway.

[Slappiduck in reply to greygoose]

Found them 😊

TPO 25.8 (0-34)

Thyroglobulin AB <10 (-115)

[Slappiduck in reply to Slappiduck]

I’ve just seen this article which has optimal reference ranges for thyroid bloods. Seems she feels TPO should be less than 2.

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[helvella in reply to Slappiduck]

Antibody tests are notorious for having very different ranges. In that link, it talks about her having 2000 and optimum being less than 2, and mentions a "less than 35" as the official top of range. So the article does appear to be based on results with a similar range to your test.

But be careful about applying those numbers to any other results around that could be on very different ranges.

[greygoose in reply to Slappiduck]

Your TPO isn't far from the top of the range. Given that antibodies fluctuate a lot, it's more than possible that, tested another time, the result would be well over-range. I think you should assume that you have Hashi's, and act accordingly. Can't do any harm, and might do some good.

[Slappiduck in reply to greygoose]

You’ve really got me thinking GG. How is Hashi’s different to non Hashi’s thyroid disease? Symptoms wise I mean

[greygoose in reply to Slappiduck]

I don't think there is any difference during the hypo phases. It's just that sometimes, your levels are going to reach hyper levels, and then you might have some hyper-like symptoms. Unless, of course, your thyroid has already been destroyed, and then you would be just plain hypo.

[Slappiduck in reply to greygoose]

You are a veritable fountain of knowledge GG. Thanks for the info. Now I have to seriously contemplate the whole gf thing 😣

[greygoose in reply to Slappiduck]

Gluten-free is a good thing to try. You could be gluten-sensitive, in which case, it will make you feel better. But, gluten-free is not a cure for Hashi's. Even if it lowers antibodies - which has never been proved to my satisfaction - the Hashi's will still be there, because the antibodies are not the disease, they are the result of the disease.

[Slappiduck in reply to greygoose]

I had basically ruled it out due to the negative Coealiac test. It seems a daunting prospect.

[Slappiduck in reply to Slappiduck]

Are you gf yourself?

[greygoose in reply to Slappiduck]

Those Coeliac tests are notoriously unreliable. The only way to find out if gluten-free helps is to try it.

I tried gluten-free for several months, and it did nothing for me. I didn't feel any better. So, then I tried eating it again, and I didn't feel any worse, so I continued eating it.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

four months ago your ferritin was low. Is it now improved ?

What about current vitamin D, folate and B12 levels

Do you have Hashimoto's? Couldn't see any antibodies test results?

Guessing you do have Hashimoto's as GP did coeliac test

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

[Slappiduck in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon. I had antibodies done at the beginning of the year and they were within normal limits. I’ve not had any other blood tests other than the ones documented previously,

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Slappiduck]

Then you need full testing

Push endo/GP to test vitamins

T3 and Levo both need good vitamin levels to improve how they work

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also 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 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, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If also on T3, make sure to take last dose 12 hours prior to test

[Slappiduck in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks. I’ve got T3 and T4 booked prior to my endo review. If my levels are ok presumably I just need to sew my mouth shut? I’m confused how I weighed less on T4 and yet felt like death. I

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Slappiduck]

Good vitamin levels are essential for T3 and T4 to work

So get vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin tested

Repeat antibodies test for both TPO and TG

If negative, ask for ultrasound scan of thyroid

Perhaps try strictly gluten free diet......helps thousands on here

[Slappiduck in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the info. So just to make sure I understand if I ensure vitamins etc as discussed as optimal it will help the T3 to work more effectively and help me shift some weight? How does going gf help? As I say I feel a lot better on the T3

[Slappiduck in reply to Slappiduck]

Also what is considered a good/normal dose of T3? I know for example 50mcg T4 is a low dose. Is there an equivalent for T3

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Slappiduck]

How long is a piece of string!

Most patients on Levo plus T3 seem to be on 10-20mcg

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Slappiduck]

Gluten and thyroid don't mix well. Usually we have some degree of leaky gut.

You don't need to be coeliac to find strictly gluten free very beneficial. Perhaps try for 3-6 months. If it helps stick on it

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...