Thank you for your continued support on here - I have now got more test results, requested by a locum GP (who has now left the practice). I was suffering many of the symptoms of underactive thyroid, but the main problem was joint pain and stiffness to the extent that I couldn't walk, the GP raised my Levothyroxine to 125mg and requested a test for 6 weeks later, but this made the symptoms worse and 4 weeks later another doctor (my friends doctor) did more blood tests resulting in a reduction of Levo back to 100mg and a referral to rheumatology. (I have Hypothyroidism & Heart Disease) Now 8 weeks on I took the repeat test - im currently on 100mg Levo - and my TSH is below range at <0.05 (range = 0.27 - 4.2) My FT4 level is normal at 18.5 (range = 12 - 22) - the other tests for; liver, bone, full blood count, glucose, Iron & B12 (although B12 is at the top end of range) etc were all within ranges with the exception of Vit D 3 which fell in the insufficient range being 36.7 (adequate being 50-75)
In my last post the tests indicated a low TSH level, I was advised this was ok - better to be low than high - but how long can this go on before it causes more problems or maybe it masks something more serious ? I can't get an appointment at the doctors at the moment as they say they don't have enough doctors or appointments and are only taking emergencies - My last appointment request was cancelled by the receptionist as non urgent, at which point I was taken by my friend to their doctor as a visitor and was sent straight to hospital for blood tests and medicated, the tests done that same day resulted in a referral to hospital for further treatment.
I get the feeling my GP Practice are incompetent. They have previously lost my records, not entered consultants information on the system, refused to issue medication despite it being on repeat (essential heart and thyroid meds), cancelled my meds, lost referals and cancelled appointments without cause because the receptionist (without medical training) decided my needs weren't urgent enough.
I am still struggling to get about and seize up if I sit down to rest. The receptionist gave me my test results (after waiting two weeks I went down to get them) - I couldn't get an appointment with the doctor about the abnormal results, the receptionist told me to go and buy a multi vitamin supplement and repeat the blood tests in 3 months.
I really don't know where to turn now - nothing is getting any better and all I get is the palm off from my doctors practice. I went to the chemist and asked him about the Vitamin D3 and he sold me Boots Vitamin D suppliment 25ug - 2 a day for a week and then one a day ?
Any suggestions would be helpful -
Thank you again
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A low TSH isn't a problem, it's your T3 result that matters, if that is over range it can indicate over medication but your T4 is ok so not an issue. Reducing Levo on a tsh result is wrong.
I didn't get the T3 test this time, doctor says he can't request this test, it's down to the lab to decide after seeing the other results ? But my T4 is now lower at 18.5 - I will know more in 3 months time with the next test.
the receptionist told me to go and buy a multi vitamin supplement
Don't. Multivitamins are a waste of time, they contain too little of anything to help, generally contain the cheapest and least absorbable of active ingredients, and often contain vitamins/minerals that should be tested first and only supplemented if deficient, these being
calcium
iodine (kelp)
iron
If it contains iron that affects the absorption of everything else as iron needs to be taken at least 2 hours away from other supplements and medication.
joint pain and stiffness to the extent that I couldn't walk
Vit D 3 which fell in the insufficient range being 36.7 (adequate being 50-75)
Your vitamin D level could very well be the cause of your pain and stiffness.
Boots Vitamin D suppliment 25ug - 2 a day for a week and then one a day ?
Nowhere near enough and not the best supplement. Were you also told that there are important cofactors necessary when taking D3?
Best supplements are a softgel containing just 2 ingredients - D3 and extra virgin olive oil, or an oral spray where Hashimoto's is present as then it gives better absorption.
If your level was <30 that would be classed as deficient, then your doctor should prescribe loading doses totalling 300,000iu over a few weeks. However, with your current level your doctor isn't obliged to do anything other than recommend that you buy your own supplement.
My suggestion would be to follow the advice given by the Vit D Council who recommend a level of 125nmol/L (50ng/ml):
Retest after 3 months. 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 -
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
Two links and read about the TSH - unfortunately few doctors are trained adequately about how to treat and return hypothyroid patients to good health with relief of all symptoms. The TSH is from the pituitary gland - it rises if thyroid gland is failing but when it reduces it means out thyroid hormone replacements are working. The aim is a TSH of 1 or lower. Some need it suppressed. Also if someone has had thyroid gland they HAVE i gave a suppressed TSH and they don't come to any harm.
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