Am I over medicated...

[BevBG]

Hi - I have been reading up on Hashimotos /Hypothyroidism on this forum for a while and digesting all the great information and advice given. I got my first thyroid test in January and with a high TSH, low FT4 Dr told me I had hypothyroidism and to go and see an endocrinologist which I did. My only symptoms at this time were inability to loose weight and hair falling out. I was put on 50mcg of Levothyroxine (taken first thing in the morning and waiting at least an hour before breakfast) I continued taking the medication and having blood tests with no problems until July when I started to get palpitations. I then had my vitamin levels checked and was found to be deficient in B12,Folic acid and vitamin D was low. The endocrinologist was not concerned about these levels and told me to eat butter, vegetables and get more sun! For the palpitations she prescribed Nebilet which is a beta blocker. My levothyroxine was kept at the same level but I increased it myself. The beta blockers didn't do anything except give me low blood pressure, low heart rate and a feeling of "not being there". Since then I have seen my Dr again who said vitamin levels aren't a problem, and sent me for an ECG which came back as OK. My latest results are

TSH 0.48 (0.27-4.20)

FT4 21.16(12.00-22.00)

FT3 4.39 (3.10-6.80)

Anti Tpo 128.90 <34.00

Anti Tg >4000

I still have palpitations, aches around upper body, I feel anxious, always hot, hair still falling out. Could this be caused by overmedication or because of my vitamin deficiencies. I have been gluten free for about 4 months but apart from having (I think) low stomach acid I don't really have any digestive problems. My Dr seems to be more concerned about my blood pressure which is only high (160) when I see him - he asked me to do a week of readings at home, the highest was around 120. I'm sorry for such a long post and it's probably all a bit jumbled up. My previous results are in my profile. I am from UK but I actually live in Bulgaria. Thank you for any advice you can give me 😊

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

BevBG

You're not overmedicated but you're not converting T4 to T3 very well which is shown by your top of range FT4 and low in range FT3. You could do with a little less Levo and the addition of some T3*** see below.

Your Hashi's could be the cause of your palpitations and anxiety because with Hashi's you can have symptoms of both under and over active.

Your low nutrient levels will be a problem (and Hashi's can cause low nutrient levels/deficiencies). What are your levels and are you supplementing?

Optimal levels to aim for are:

Vit D - 40-60ng/ml (100-150nmol/L)

B12 - top of range

Folate - at least half way through range

Ferritin - at least 70 for thyroid hormone to work, recommended is half way through range.

*** Before considering T3, it's best to optimise nutrient levels as this will help thyroid hormone to work properly. Also, supplementing with selenium helps conversion.

[BevBG in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for the reply 😊 I sort of thought that might be the case.... Trying to source T3 here could be the problem. My levels are

Folic 3.30 (>5.38 deficit 0.35-5.38)

Vit D. 22.29 (20-100 optimal)

Vit B12 223 (246-911 deficit 32-246)

B12 and folic acid supplement taken - Jarrow B complex

Vitamin D3 supplement taken - 2000iu

Ferritin not checked as I was unable to find a blood test - maybe called by another name here.

Thanks 😊

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to BevBG]

Bev

Really, your doctor should be doing something about these.

Your B12 level warrants further investigation into B12 deficiency/pernicious anaemia and you may well need B12 injections.

Check for signs of B12 deficiency here b12deficiency.info/signs-an... and list any that you have experienced to discuss with your doctor.

Your folate deficiency really warrants prescribed folic acid or methylfolate.

Unfortunately, supplementing with B12 and B Complex already will now mask any signs of B12 deficiency.

Vit D. 22.29 (20-100 optimal)

I think this must be ng/ml and your are barely above the deficiency level. It will take a long time to reach the recommended level with just 2000iu daily. As you have Hashi's, I would try and get some BetterYou oral spray and raise your dose. I would take 5000iu daily for 3 months then retest. When you've reached the recommended level then you'll need a maintenance dose which may be 2000iu daily, maybe more or less, maybe less in summer than winter, it's trial and error so it's recommended to retest once or twice a year to keep within the recommended range. You can do this with a private fingerprick blood spot test with City Assays vitamindtest.org.uk/

There are important cofactors needed when taking D3 as recommended by the Vit D Council -

vitamindcouncil.org/about-v...

D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems such as hardening of the arteries, kidney stones, etc.

D3 and K2 are fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day, D3 four hours away from thyroid meds.

Magnesium helps D3 to work. We need Magnesium so that the body utilises D3, it's required to convert Vit D into it's active form. So it's important we ensure we take magnesium when supplementing with D3.

Magnesium comes in different forms, check to see which would suit you best and as it's calming it's best taken in the evening, four hours away from thyroid meds

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

Check out the other cofactors too.

You will be able to find the Bulgarian word for ferritin by using Google, just put it in the search bar "What is ferritin in Bulgarian".

[BevBG in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you - I read about pernicious anemia but didn't really have any of the symptoms. I think that with my current Dr's and Endocrinologist's ignorance or reluctance to recognize vitamin deficiencies I need to find someone who will.

It's so difficult when you don't speak enough of the language to understand especially medical terms.

I did find the word for ferritin.... It's ferritin! 😁