Do I need a dose increase?

Hi all,

Would someone mind giving me their opinion on my blood tests results please.

I have always took 75 levo and have had times when ive felt okay and times when ive felt awful.

Feeling awful is how im feeling now.

Just wondering, do you think I need a dosage increase of levo? Or am I not converting well and need to add some T3? Or could me feeling rough be down to something else?

Thank you so much for your time and help

TSH = 0.41 (0.27 -4.20)

Free T4 = 17.50 (12-22)

Free T3= 4.96 (3.1-6.8).

[Mary-intussuception]

Your results look ok, how old are they and did you have blood test early morning?

Have you had any nutrients levels tested in particular Vitamin D? If not ask your GP to test this and Vitamin B12, Folate and Ferritin. You may have some deficiencies.

Have you ever had any Antibodies tested? Thyroid ? Or to eliminate Coeliac Disease or to eliminate Pernicious Anemia?

Do you take any other medication or supplements?

Do you take your Levothyroxine on it's own with water only and an hour before food and drink?

[Hidden in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Hi, thanks so much for your reply. Yes, all my vitamins are top of the range. My antibodies are around the 35 mark but I believe I do have Hashis and my immune system is too weak to produce them. I don't have coeliac but do eat gluten free as I have igg antibodies against it, as well as against many other foods. I eat AIP, and take adrenal support, Betaine HCI, magnesium, Vitamin C, B's, B12, a homocysteine support formula as I have MTHFR mutation, digestive enzymes, NAC, EPA/DHA, systemic enzymes. I always take my meds in the morning with water and wait an hour. I have spent years and years trying to get to the bottom of this but I'm just getting worse. I would like to try upping my dose to see if it makes me feel better but last time I tried it made me ill for 7 months. I dont know whether i have some sort of intollerance to the tablets as I feel so much worse than before I was medicated. I have tried different brands and now buy one on private prescription thats lactose free.

[Lovecake]

Hi.

I agree with Mary. They don’t look too bad. BUT, if your vits and minerals etc are all optimal and you’re not feeling great why not try going to 100mcg levo 2 or 3 days a week?

The reason I changed from just levo was because I didn’t feel well for more than a day or 2, before having to rest and recharge. But I went through an endo. Are you seeing anyone other than GP?

[Hidden in reply to Lovecake]

Thank you so much for your reply. Yes my vitamins are all optimal, I follow the aip diet, I am treating my adrenals, sex hormones, the works, but still feel rubbish. Can I ask what meds you take now? I have been referred to an endo in April, but I don't have high hopes, the last time I saw one he told me I need to stop complaining and get on with it as I don't have a 'real' disease like diabetes. This was when I was too ill to even work. I want to ask whether I can try NDT or t3 but I dont know whether I'm going the wrong way about it through an endo. And I can't seem to find one I can buy myself as I'm lactose intollerant and they all seem to contain it. Thanks again for your help

[Lovecake in reply to Hidden]

Well, I was very under medicated on 75mcg and 100 just didn’t feel right. When I spoke to my endo and said that I can’t live a “normal” life on T4 only as I have to keep resting to recharge, he decided I should try some T3. I am on 75 of levo and 2 x 5mcg T3 at present.

I’ve had some hypo symptoms since Christmas and am seriously thinking of adding a little more T3. (Endo was happy for me to be on 15mcg per day if needed).

I find my energy levels don’t dip as much with this bit of T3.

Not saying it’s the answer to everything or it’s even perfect (I’m working on it). But I do have days (sometimes several in a row) where I feel really good. And I get migraines. These have calmed down significantly since getting thyroid hormones more in balance and vitamins and minerals optimal. So I am feeling more positive at the moment. 😊

[greygoose]

You're under-medicated. Especially not if you feel unwell. Those results might suit some people, but most hypos need their FT4 and FT3 higher up the range than that. An increase of 25 mcg wouldn't be too much, in my opinion.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Or you need to try adding small dose of T3 via endo or self supplementing