Under active Thyroid

[susiedc]

Hi, what’s the best nutrition to help me support myself with my under active thyroid? I’m permanently tired although my GP says my blood tests show I’m in normal range with the 50mcg levothyroxin I take

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Susiedc

If you post your test results, with the reference ranges, we will be able to comment. Being "in normal range" doesn't actually mean optimally medicated.

If you are in the UK then you are legally entitled to a print out of your results so if you haven't got them just ask at your surgery's reception. Don't accept hand written or verbal results, make sure it's a print out, that way no mistakes can be made.

For a full picture you need

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

and because we need optimal nutrient levels for thyroid hormone to work properly, it's good to have the following tested too

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

[susiedc in reply to SeasideSusie]

Great Thankyou I’ll ask at the surgery

[MaiteFrench]

Hi,

Has your GP checked your level of T3, vitaminB, B12, celenium, zinc? If not he doesn't know. Good luck.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How long have you been on just 50mcg Levothyroxine?

This is only a starter dose. Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase.

Dose is increased in 25mcg steps until TSH is between 0.4-1.5 and FT4 is in top third of range

Low vitamin levels are extremely common if under medicated and/or hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

always get actual results and ranges on all tests. You are legally entitled to printed copies or register for online access to your medical record and test results

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

If not been done, ask GP to test vitamins and antibodies

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease). About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

NICE guidelines saying how to initiate and increase. Note that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

[susiedc in reply to SlowDragon]

I’ve actually been on 50mcg for 29 years!! This is brilliant info Thankyou! I may try private testing as my GP gets irritated just giving me annual tests as in always ‘normal’ over the years, my tiredness has been instead put down to being a first time mum, then a working full time mum, then menopausal and now because I’m getting old!! I’m now 56