Latest bloods... and increase - thoughts?

[Murphysmum]

Firstly apologies as I’ve already posted a version of this question yesterday, (Thanks to angel for your reply.) however my dr has advised an increase in levo and I’m a bit wary. Some days I seem to get symptoms of over medication, ie, head and ear pressure, dizziness etc and when I was last on a dose of 175mcg (as now) my rt3 was high so I dropped back to 150. Following a meeting with my dr, he advised increasing again so i did and these are my latest bloods.

I thought my compnversion didn’t look great but my dr doesn’t seem to think it’s an issue.

I’m considering T3....

Would it help? I just can’t seem to make that final jump in consistent energy levels and some days I’m still very symptomatic. Others I’m fine but always terrible brain fog.

I’m continuing to supplement with B12, b complex, iron, Vit D, omega 3, selenium and zinc and while these levels have improved, there’s a way to go.

I’d be interested to hear peoples thoughts on my bloods now - again my dr isn’t convinced that I need T3 and wants me to increase for a few months and test again.

Sorry. Edited to add I’m still having symptoms most days of muscle weakness, eye problems (focus), general aches and pain and really bad brain fog and ability to think clearly and retain info and fatigue.

TIA 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your B12 and folate are both very low still

How much B12 are you supplementing and which vitamin B complex?

Ferritin is a bit low too. Eating liver or liver pate once a week should help improve ferritin

Have you had vitamin D tested?

Have you had coeliac blood test?

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

If you can afford it getting DIO2 gene test might be useful next step

[Murphysmum in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi,

I have been supplementing with H&B b complex until now but have just received my Igennus b complex which is obviously superior, so hopefully this will make a difference.

I’ve been eating pate at least once a week and my levels have come up compared to before so I’ll keep going. I’ve started taking an iron supplement too for the last 3 weeks and I think this is what has helped the ferritin really - it hadn’t moved much prior to that in over 6 months.

I have had Vit D tested, before the summer and it was low but I range (!) and I’ve been supplementing since then everyday with better4you Vit D and mk2. As well as our lovely summer and a sunshine holiday, I’m hoping I’ve topped up a bit!

I haven’t rested for coeliac but have no symptoms and although I realise from reading here that gf can be very beneficial, it’s not something I want to start if I can avoid it. Too many other variables already at mealtimes here, if I can avoid another I’d rather!

I will look into the DIO2 test - my results would show a definite conversion issue if this were the case, would they not? I’m not totally understating the conversion thing yet!

Thank you 😊

[Hidden]

This time last year I had numbers *similar* to yours and was eager to move onto the next step and strongly suspected I needed a small addition of T3.

What I have learnt a year on is that nutrient levels truly do make a difference - currently I've managed to let my iron slip, and I can feel it and no surprise.... my blood test confirms it!. So, I know you know, but your nutrient levels need to come up - any form of T3 will work better for you in that scenario, so give it another couple of months. Are you taking at least 1000 mg vit C to improve absorption of iron? It's great for adrenals too, and eases constipation, take it to tolerance. Despite the great summer we've had many of us hypos don't make much Vit D - I have to supplement during the summer as well as during the winter. Do you take the important co-factors K2 MK7 and magnesium? Have a look at SeasideSusie 's posts - terrific and clear info.

As for the addition of T3 I think you *may* benefit - you're FT3 isn't half way through range and your FT4 is high'ish - I don't think more T4 will raise your FT3 to optimal levels.

When I decided to add T3 I did it with the addition of Metavive I (and reduced my Levo) - purely because I couldn't face the battle with the NHS, I didn't want to see an Endo and I liked the ease of purchase within the UK; however I know there are many on the forum who don't advocate its use because it's an OTC product and so the T4/T3 content can't be stated. I took things slowly, got regular medicheck/blue horizon tests. I've been on 100 mcg levo and 2 x Metavive II for 10 months and feel good.

This is purely based on my experience and I'm not medically trained.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Forgot to say, I made the decision when at 150 mcg levo I was 'signed off' by my GP for 6 months. I decided to use that time to trial Metavive and then go back with the evidence that it helped. Best of luck with progress

[Murphysmum in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I do know what you’re saying re the vits and mins.... it is just so frustrating waiting! I guess I’m curious to know how much difference getting them optimal will make, and you’ve helped with that so thank you.

I have been supplementing all summer with Vit D plus mk2 and although I haven’t retested yet it must have gone up some. I think from memory my levels was just within the “normal” range (ie, not requiring supplementation) so hopefully it’s quite good now.

I hadn’t even thought about metavive, I will bear it in mind, thank you 😊

I’m glad to know you’re now going well

[Hidden in reply to Murphysmum]

Yes it's reaaally frustrating but with hypo there is no quick fix. But only time teaches this lesson - as I've learnt. It's life long and so easy to let things slip once you get that first phase of feeling good. In those cases, go back to the beginning and repeat all that you first learnt You'll get there. xx

[Murphysmum in reply to Hidden]

Thank You! It’s good to hear some support when you feel like you’ve been pill popping for months and there’s a couple of points change in your “numbers” as you call them! I will get there!

[Mary-intussuception]

I'm no expert - but can't see why GP wants to increase Levothyroxine with these results. I would also be considering asking for a little T3 but you'd need to see an (agreeable) Endocrinologist for that wouldn't you ?

[Murphysmum in reply to Mary-intussuception]

I thought I had. It was a very well known Scottish endo I saw...😳!

I still think a little T3 would help but I’m not an expert in any way

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Murphysmum]

Sorry when you said your dr wants to increase your Levothyroxine, I assumed you meant GP not Consultant. Maybe he's treating symptoms? Does he know about B12 result?

TSH and T4 results look good but then we have Hashimoto's so how reliable are our results anyway? ?

[Murphysmum in reply to Mary-intussuception]

It’s ok, I didn’t specify endo or go so you weren’t to know.

Yes, he has the same blood results so has seen b12 too.

Indeed, Hashimotos is the gift that just keep giving!

[Oneill1976]

T3 will definiely bring down your RT3. And you will tons better and want to keep it in your daily routine.

[silverfox7]

I wouldn't increase Levo at this point. You do have a conversion issue and at one point I was the same as you. Get the Vit D, B12, folate and ferritin optimal. I used to have the same problem and it took me around 5 months to put it right though obviously it depends on how low you are to start off with. My folate was under range which my GP tested for and put me on a course of treatment which raised it to the bottom of the range so I bought some myself and eventually got there but I would now recommend methyl folate as it is absorbed better. But the plus point was that I got everything working not only better but correctly. Since the menopause my body wasn't liking Levo too well either so once I got my body working right I went back to NDT as my journey had started on that about 30 years before and I found it easier to manage. So now I keep an eye on the Vit D etc I'm pretty good and I've not needed as much thyroid medication only taking 1.75 grains. I think we underestimate how imprtand the vits etc are to getting our thyroid to work better. When I finally did go over to NDT I didn't have problems doing that other than missing my sweet spot at first as instructions I followed said increase doses from 0.5 in that amount up to 2.0 then proceed in quarters so I missed my 1.75 sweet spot!

[Murphysmum]

Thanks for all the replies.

My only question now is, what would you do?

I’m continuing to supplement, but these values might take months to get to an optimal level.

I’m just not convinced that an increase in levo will do it for me. I don’t know why but my gut feeling just isn’t loving the idea.

So, what would you do in my position? Wait, increase levo again or opt for a different strategy all together?

Thankyou again 😊

[Hidden in reply to Murphysmum]

Personally, (based on my own relationship with GP and because I didn't want to go fully solo) I would tell GP I'd like to stay on current dose of levo and indicate you can manage and 'could we review again in 6 months' - strategy to give you space without conflict to change meds if that's your decision. Buy a pill cutter for sure!

I'd focus on getting nutrients to *at least half way* though range and importantly keeping them there or better - your B12, folate and iron are all too low, possibly your D too.

I didn't want to go all-in NDT, but we are all so different, I didn't feel dire on levo, just needed to up my FT3 level, so Levo plus NDT OR T3 was my game plan. But I can see nothing is static, so approach has to be fluid and flexible based on how you feel/what works for you.

Please though, don't expect any one thing to be a magic fix - it's a whole raft of things and it really does take time. Some don't get on with a particular NDT or brand of T3, never mind Levo, so you may have further adjustments to make. Will you know what is causing any changes in your wellness?

However from the start I had also overhauled my *apparently healthy* diet; so I went grain free, cut all sugar, stopped eating everything processed so cook from scratch and make my own kefir. I know that seems daunting but almost 2 years on I wouldn't go back.

Nothing tastes as good as being well feels.

Never stop reading and learning about the condition.