Help with blood results

[KarlNorge]

I don't know whether I should start medicating or not;

1and half years ago my TSH level was 8:63, 8 months later it was 5.62 and now it is 3.62 (normal range 0.3 - 4.40)

My T4 however has gone from 11.0 to 10.7 and is now 10.4 (normal range 9.0 - 19)

I also have hashimoto's disease with my last count 250

When I found out I was hypothyroid I started taking B12 injections (once every three months) three Brazil nuts a day (Selenium) and cut out 90 % of gluten as well as exercising 5 times a week.

The only symtoms I have (that I know about) - bad back - slight constipation- and sore feet . My BP is slightly raised (115/88).

I have not had my T3 tested as the GP stated that it "means nothing" so my questions are

(1) Should I have T3 tested.

(2) If I do not go on medication can I be building myself up for long term health problems

Any comments would be helpful

Thank you

[greygoose]

When I found out I was hypothyroid I started taking B12 injections (once every three months) three Brazil nuts a day (Selenium) and cut out 90 % of gluten as well as exercising 5 times a week.

Did you have your B12 tested before starting the B12 injections? As you have Hashi's, it's possible you have Pernicious Anemia, but you should have been tested before starting supplementing to find out.

Unless it specifically states on the packet that the Brazils were grown in soil rich in selenium, the nuts won't do you any good. Most of them contain very little selenium.

90% of gluten just won't cut it. It has to be 100% or nothing if you want a result.

What sort of exercising are you doing? If it's too strenuous, it will be doing more harm than good because it will negatively impact your conversion making you more hypo.

Because you are hypo, and you should be on thyroid hormone replacement. It will only get worse, anyway, as you have Hashi's, so better to start sooner rather than later.

Levels do jump about when you have Hashi's. But the FT3 test remains the most important. However, your doctor didn't learn about T3 in med school, so has no idea. And, just because it doesn't 'mean' anything to him, doesn't mean that the rest of us don't understand it!

[KarlNorge in reply to greygoose]

Hello greygoose thank you for your reply - the problem is is that the GP does not think I m hypo as I am in the range - therefore will not medicate. I think maybe I should have my T3 tested privately and see.

B12 - yes I was tested for that and I was 206 where normal range (190 - 800) - so I was very low. I was tested for Pernicious Anemia and it was negative.

With excercise I swim five times a week!

[greygoose in reply to KarlNorge]

I doubt you'll stay in the 'normal' range for very long, so keep testing. As soon as it goes over-range, point it out to him, and the over-range antibodies. Under those conditions, he should be treating - that's what the guidelines say!

Go steady with the swimming, don't over-do things. If you find it leaves you exhausted for two/three days, stop doing so much.

[KarlNorge in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for the reply - I will take your advice.

[greygoose in reply to KarlNorge]

You're welcome.