Do I need more than Synthroid?: I'm in the USA... - Thyroid UK

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Do I need more than Synthroid?

dinahnow profile image
3 Replies

I'm in the USA - and still feel very tired every day, dizzy spells the doctor can't find reason for, bones ache .. had thyroid removed a year ago (was hyperthyroid/goitre) ... Could I need T3/NDT? Could I need vitamin/mineral tests?

TSH1.580 uIU/mL0.450 - 4.500 uIU/mL

T4, Total10.5 ug/dL4.5 - 12.0 ug/dL

T3 Uptake30 %24 - 39 %

Free Thyroxine Index3.2 1.2 - 4.9

T3, Total94 ng/dL71 - 180 ng/dL

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dinahnow
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shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

I am not medically qualified but don't know how you can cope with no thyroid gland and on levothyroxine alone. I would suggest you need either an NDT like Armour etc which has all the thyroid hormones as it is made from pigs' thyroid glands. or T3 added to your T4 (Liothyronine and levothyroxine). Free T4 and Free T3 are more informative that the usual T4 and T3 ones.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

hormonerestoration.com/

hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

If we take a combination of T4/T3, it should be on a 3:1 or 4:1 basis.

All vitamins/minerals should be optimal as well, i.e. B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

Do you follow this procedure for blood tests:-

Get the earliest possible blood test.

Allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take afterwards.

Take levo, usually first thing, on an empty stomach with one full glass of water. Wait an hour before eating. Coffee can also interfere with the uptake of levo.

Also all vitamins/minerals have to be optimal, i.e. B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

greygoose profile image
greygoose

Your TSH is still a bit high, so yes, you do need an increase in dose.

However, impossible to tell if you would benefit from T3 or NDT, because they haven't done the right T3 test. You need the Free T3 tested. T3 uptake and Total T3 give you no useful information. I don't understand why they still do those antiquated tests in the USA. Waste of money.

Your FT4 is only just mid-range, so your FT3 could be below mid-range, and that would be why you still have symptoms.

Having said that, you do need to get your nutrients tested : vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin. Your dizzy spells could be caused by low B12, aching bones by low vit D and fatigue by low iron. So, do get those tested. :)

doude profile image
doude

You need to add T3. Your T4 is high enough and T3 is low. TSH is normal. This means you are having a conversion issue. I don't exactly know with thyroid removed, but this looks like a general case of needing to add T3.

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