Thyroid help

[Jackerpoo]

Hello I had a partial thyroidectomy four months ago, I have just had my blood test results back which are TSH less than 0.005 , free thyroxine 22.6 and free T3 10.4

I find it all a bit confusing, I have been taking thyroid gold once a day, do I need to take more, are these results bad? Should I take synthetic , really haven’t got a clue 😧

[MaisieGray]

No, you are currently slightly over-medicated. Even without the reference ranges for each of these results it is possible to see that your TSH is below range, your FT4 is at, or just above the top of range, and your FT3 above range. For more accurate comment you should edit your post to include the ranges, but if I'm correct, you should consider reducing your thyrogold - I've never used it myself but understand it is in capsule form so hopefully a member who is more familiar with it, will advise on dosing adjustments (or you could email Tammy Lowe, wife of the now deceased Dr Lowe who created ThyroGold, and take her advice). Alternatively, you could consider Levothyroxine from your GP, and see how it suits you, then dosing adjustments with tablets would be more straightforward. Was there a reason why your GP or Endo didn't prescribe, after your thyroidectomy?

[Jackerpoo in reply to MaisieGray]

They said the other half of my thyroid would kick and I wouldn’t have a problem but I felt so weak for a long time after the operation so thought I would try the thyroid gold. No one offered to check my thyroid so I did a private blood test a few days ago. I also suffer from pernicious anaemia so I guess I was trying to look after myself but from what you are saying I may not need to take the thyroid gold, I will email Tammy but thank you so much for your help as I do find it a bit confusing!

[MaisieGray in reply to Jackerpoo]

Yes that can be the case, but you should be under the care of your Dr meanwhile, and he should be performing the tests for you, to monitor if it does or doesn't come about - no one can forecast how your body will react to having half of your important thyroid gland removed.

This is what the British Thyroid Foundation advises:

What about follow-up after the operation?

You will be given a date for a follow-up appointment to check on how you are, and your doctor will arrange for blood tests to check your thyroid function about six to eight weeks after the operation. If you have a total thyroidectomy you will need to take levothyroxine tablets for the rest of your life immediately after surgery to replace the thyroxine that was produced by your thyroid gland. If you have a lobectomy or hemithyroidectomy you may develop hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) if the amount of gland left is unable to maintain normal thyroid function. About one in five of patients who have part of their thyroid removed will need to take a small amount of levothyroxine to top up the thyroxine produced by the remaining thyroid gland. If you have had more extensive neck surgery to remove some of your lymph nodes you may be referred to a physiotherapist.

[Jackerpoo in reply to MaisieGray]

Yes I think the nhs are cutting back, I honestly thought they would check my thyroid, I had the operation four months ago, after talking to you I have called the doctor and made an appointment and I think I will stop taking the thyroid gold for the moment, once again a big thank you for your help

[MaisieGray in reply to Jackerpoo]

That's good! Mistakes happen though, and we can drop through the cracks for whatever reason, but it's our responsibility to seek out the care we need. But I am glad you've made an appointment and can at least discuss your concerns and symptoms, and take it from there - but depending on how long you've been taking the ThyroGold, the T4 element of it will still be in your system, and will affect test results accordingly, so if you are given a blood test request form, perhaps delay making the appointment with the phlebotomist. Always have blood tests first thing in the morning (TSH levels are highest in the small hours and drop throughout the day), with no food since your previous evening meal, and only water to drink. Do let us know how you get on. Good luck!

[Jackerpoo in reply to MaisieGray]

I have been taking thyroid gold for four months so yes I will take your advice and leave it for perhaps another month before having a blood test, I don’t see my doctor until 12th December and it will be a while after that before I get a nurses appointment , I will not be taking any thyroid gold from tomorrow, sadly I took one this morning! Will let you know how I get on, once again thank you for your help