New test results

[SusanAR]

Any comments would be very much appreciated!

Had my thyroxine increased from 100 to 125 and have been taking the 125 for 3 months. I go back to the endo next week.

I feel much better than I did but I still don’t feel 100%.

They would only test TSH and FT4 this time.

TSH 0.01 (0.2-4.5) this was 4.2 last check

FT4 16 (9-21) this was 12 last time

I think my levels are getting better but could my FT4 be higher and make me feel better?

My endo said he doesn’t care how low my TSH is as long as it’s detectable. He wants this to be low so that my FT4 can be higher.

My blood test notes say ‘unstable on T4’. I’m not sure what that means - I just picked them up from the receptionist so couldn’t ask.

Thank you!

[shaws Administrator]

When we are newly diagnosed as hypo, and getting gradual blood tests - these should be every six weeks with a 25mcg increase each time until TSH is 1 or lower - which yours is. I don't know what 'unstable on T4' means except going by my own experience, is that you are still symptomatic and complaining.

Your FT4 isn't too bad but it is a pity that the most important FT3 wasn't also tested. This gives a bigger picture into how we are converting levothyroxine.

Levothyroxine is an inactive hormone. It has to convert to T3 and it is T3 which is the active thyroid hormone which is needed in our millions of T3 receptor cells.

You should also have had a test for thyroid antibodies because if these are present you'd have an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease in which the antibodies attack the gland and wax and wane and going gluten-free ca help reduce them. It is also called Hashimoto's but treatment for hashi's and hypo are the same.

[SusanAR in reply to shaws]

Thank you very much for your reply.

I’m hoping he’ll put it up even just a little. I feel ok but know I could feel better.

I was on 100 for 2 and a half years. Been gluten free all that time too.

[shaws Administrator in reply to SusanAR]

Did you lose weight going gluten-free?

[SusanAR in reply to shaws]

No but the endo said I was severely under medicated and didn’t have a hope of losing weight. I followed slimming world and put on weight every week.

Since I went up to 125 at the beginning of July and followed weight watchers and still been gluten free I’ve lost 27lbs!

[shaws Administrator in reply to SusanAR]

That gives you some encouragement losing weight when you go to WW etc. When we're on the right dose of thyroid hormones weight can reduce as it raises our metabolism and TSH lowers. Our metabolism slows right down when hypo but as dose increases so should metabolism.

[SusanAR in reply to shaws]

Definitely. I haven't changed anything I was eating but I have managed to get some exercise now I have a bit more energy. It looks like it was definitely down to my slow metabolism.