Help

[megan2017]

I would like to suggestions. I am on levo and my blood are all clear but nothing has changed help wise. What do I do they just don't want to listen.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Megan2017

For any member to be able to respond, we need some information please.

What dose of Levo are you on?

What are your latest test results for:

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

We need all those tested to get a full picture.

Please include reference ranges with the results as they vary from lab to lab.

Do you take your Levo on an empty stomach, one hour before or 2 hours after food, with a glass of water only and water only for one hour each side, this ensures maximum absorption of the Levo.

Do you take your Levo 2 hours away from any other medication or supplements, some need 4 hours.

[megan2017 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I take 100mg, all my levels accounting to go is ok. I take it like you say but first thing in the morning with water no other meds. Cause all my test come out not saying abnormal they are not looking further.my brain fog is get worse, my carpal tunnel is ridiculous can not even write a one page letter, tired all the time you would swear I am pregnant. I don't have the result to hand.

[megan2017 in reply to megan2017]

I would like to go more natural, they always telling me to lose weight but I have been looking up levo and on the research it say it slows you metabolism so how do you lose weight if your metabolism does now itself what to do correctly. I mean I tired does even pills nothin I don't gain really I just stay the same for the last 10 years

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to megan2017]

You won't lose weight if you're not optimally medicated, this is why we need the tests mentioned above to give a full picture.

Levo doesn't suit everyone, but it does suit a big majority of hypo patients.

By natural if you mean NDT - natural desiccated thyroid - then yes it is made from pig's thyroid but it has to have synthetic fillers / excipients to be able to make the tablet. And NDT doesn't suit everyone, anymore than Levo.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to megan2017]

You ae being told your levels are OK because they fall somewhere within the range. It's where within the range that is important.

When on Levo, most people generally feel best with a TSH around 1 or below with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their ranges. However, if your TSH falls at the top of it's range, and FT4 and FT3 fall at the bottom of their rab, it's still classed as normal but you will probably feel very hypo and experience symptoms.

Please ask for a print out of your results so that you can be an advocate for your own health. In the UK we are legally entitled to our results and we don't have to say why we want them. So ask at your surgery's reception desk for a print out, don't accept verbal or hand written results as mistakes can be made.

Then post them on here and members will interpret them for you and offer some guidance.

As I mentioned, you need all the tests listed above for a full picture. Vitamins and minerals need to be at optimal levels for thyroid hormone to work properly. You may want to do what many of us here do and that is a private test bundle which includes all of them.

Medichecks Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT or Blue Horizon Thyroid Check Plus ELEVEN both include all tests and can be done by fingerprick or venous blood draw if you prefer at extra cost.

[megan2017 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Could I ask, could you healthyour thyroid naturally. Or is there a more natural medication that could be used

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to megan2017]

When you are hypothyroid, your thyroid no longer produces enough thyroid hormone itself. The only treatment for hypothyroidism is replacement thyroid hormone.

The first line of treatment is synthetic levothyroxine. This provides your with T4, some of which converts to T3 which is the active hormone which every cell in our body needs. We need to see your test results to know if you are converting T4 into T3. To know this you have to have results for TSH, FT4 and FT3.

Because optimal nutrient levels are needed for thyroid hormone to work properly, we also need to test the vitamins mentioned above.

When we see these results we can hopefully start to help you.

The only treatment that is considered to be "natural medication" is NDT which I mentioned above, which is part natural (pig thyroid), part synthetic (fillers/excipients).

Replacing the hormone that we can no longer produce is the only thing we can do for a Thyroid that no longer works.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to megan2017]

Are you taking your 100mcg Levothyroxine every day at the same time each day?

Are you on any other medication or taking any supplements?

There was no FreeT3 result in your 2017 blood results. If you do get referred to an Endocrinologist, hopefully he/she will test that. You really need to find out if FT3 is well up in range or not. Your TSH was high back then and T4 low so ask for printed copies of your latest results.

Also ask GP to test :

Vitamin D, Calcium, B12, Folate and Ferritin.

If you look pregnant, your abdomen might be swollen because you have a full bowel. Chronic constipaton is a symptom of Hypothyroidism also. I suffered pelvic floor damage because of it. Drinking lots of water and pelvic floor exercises should help. But everything is so difficult just now because of the tiredness.

[megan2017 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

I use toilet every day

[Mary-intussuception in reply to megan2017]

When did you start the 100mcg dose - I am assuming that you went on to the 75mcg dose in December 2017 following your second blood test?

[megan2017 in reply to SeasideSusie]

How can I attach my results

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to megan2017]

You can add one picture to your first post in this thread.

To edit your post and add a picture see:

support.healthunlocked.com/...

Make sure your name, address, date of birth, etc, do not show.

Or you can type your results in.

[RockyPath]

Your symptoms clearly point to failure of the treatment of your hypothyroidism. Within your cells are mitochondria with beta-adrenergic receptors for T3, and your symptoms indicate they are starving for T3. The common signs and symptoms are brain fog (difficulty focusing, slow thinking), extreme fatigue, tingling in the extremities, pain in the joints and muscles, insomnia, weakened immune system, anaemia, tendon entrapment (carpal tunnel), urinary urgency, poor lipid metabolism (high cholesterol), irregular heartbeat, dry skin, hair loss, digestive problems.

I suggest you consider yourself a possible member of this exclusive club of people who, by genetic happenstance, cannot convert the LT4 the way most folks do. The more LT4 we are given, the sicker we get.

Sadly, you're going to be expected to endure being dragged through the thorny underbrush of taking countless blood tests, awaiting results, having consultations, having to argue for a trial of LT3, and possibly trying everything else under the sun first.

The quick way to test this theory would be to eliminate the levothyroxine and substitute some LT3. Somebody needs to have a bottle of this stuff available for people who want to do self testing. I've done this for a friend who otherwise would have to endure a lengthy process with physicians. If you feel better in three days using LT3 in place of levothyroxine, there's your answer. I know LT3 can be obtained in Europe without a prescription, and there is somebody in Thailand that sells USP pharmaceutical grade LT3.

[megan2017 in reply to RockyPath]

Could I have the details or links to get LT3

[Mary-intussuception in reply to RockyPath]

RockyPath

No LT4 has been taken for 2 months and not on any supplements - possibly not yet tested.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

They can no longer charge for printing out, rules changed after May 25th 2018

Can you add most recent results and ranges for

TSH, FT3 and FT4, plus have you also had thyroid antibodies tested

Also vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested.

Add results and ranges if you have them here. Or better still put up a new post so more members can see them

LOW vitamin levels must be corrected before Levothyroxine (or NDT) can work

Frequently we need strictly gluten free diet if Thyroid antibodies are high

Getting coeliac blood test FIRST, just to rule it