Am fairly new to this site, but am amazed at the knowledge on here. I feel like I'm groping around a little. Hypothyroid since 2006 and stable on levothyroxine 75 mg until hair coming out summer 2018. Had a blood test with own GP - he thought it unlikely to be anything to do with thyroid. Ferritin at 28 and he said I could take some iron, though not prescribing this and I had no idea what strength (didn't think to ask on the spot). Anyway got advice from a trichologist who suggested an iron supplement (300 mg). Some months on and checked ferritin levels twice - still needed to increase. Felt unsure and not feeling too good decided to get Medichecks private blood test. Results below:
GP on Medichecks suggested seeing GP and reducing iron supplement (I've stopped it) as ferritin level high. Also said thyroid showing slightly high thyroxine with a borderline low TSH which could indicate I'm on too high a dose of levothyroxine and may benefit from a slight dose adjustment.
I have a GP appointment in 10 days time. Skin still itching badly. Just wondering if the above Medichecks comments concur with what is needed. A bit nervous of suggesting anything to my own GP but will take up test results. Feels like I'm going to the headmaster's office!!
Sorry this is all a bit long-winded but appreciative of anyone's perspective.
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notpink
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Many thanks for your prompt reply. I'm not on any other medication. Haven't tried gluten free yet, though I see many people find that helps, so should give that a go. Will try and have a chat to GP about the T4 - T3 conversion, but that route doesn't sound too hopeful.
Well you certainly have no problem absorbing iron! Makes sense to stop supplementing for a while. I would skip your levo for two or three days then reduce to 50 mcg and see how you are. Your fT4 is slightly high but fT3 OK, within normal variation.
Do you have other signs or symptoms other than hair loss and dry skin?
Thanks for reply and suggestion. Have always been steadily taking prescribed levo. with no problems. Just past year, hair loss, extremely dry skin and eczema, energy levels not good. Worth trying what you suggest, though this is all new to me. Thanks again.
Reducing your levo for a little while, say a few weeks is just a trial to see if you feel better or worse. Dry skin is a very good marker for hypothyroidism but there can be other causes. The skin uses a form of T4 to T3 conversion called D2. D2 is reduced when fT4 is high. If your dry skin is a consequence of hypothyroidism it is a result of carotenemia, which is when the body fails to convert carotene to vitamin A. This results in a yellow orange tint to the hands which you would be able to see if you are a white person.
When you've reached the recommended level then you'll need a maintenance dose to keep it there, 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 an NHS lab which offers this test to the general public:
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 if taking tablets/capsules/softgels, no necessity if using an oral spray
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 if taking tablets/capsules, no necessity if using topical forms of magnesium.
Check out the other cofactors too (some of which can be obtained from food).
I agree with Reallyfedup, FT4 too high, FT3 too low, conversion isn't particularly good and a lower dose of Levo with the addition of a small amount of T3 is probably the answer, once all nutrient levels are optimal - important to have optimal nutrient levels before adding T3.
Lea, I was terribly hypothyridic but because I had very low TSH my Endo. told me exactly the same thing: I was no longer hypo I had become hyper! They are only looking at TSH!!!!! As a result I was very ill for two years listening to that ignoramus, I didn't get better until I started to study up on all things thyroid. That idiot nearly killed me. I have been normal now for years with a TSH of .002.
We moved to Scotland central belt from the north 3 years ago and hadn't been notified for testing. Up north was on a Thyroid register and called every year, but will need to check this is still operating. So busy with settling and getting to know the area I didn't find out about this, so assumed everything was OK as not aware of any troublesome symptoms. Will ask when at health centre.
I have been in this situation, suppressed TSH, over range FT4 and low FT3. This is not hyperthyroidism/Graves disease. A person with diagnosed and treated hypothyroidism does not suddenly develop hyperthyroidism, it's not possible. And to have Graves disease you have to have Graves antibodies. This is a member with long standing/treated hypothyroidism since 2006. This is poor conversion of T4 to T3 and doctors not understanding that we can't convert well enough to balance our hormones, they are give us too much Levo which takes FT4 over range, we need less Levo and some T3 added.
I am taking VitD, B12subligual, Iron w/vitc for absorption, dig probiotic and digestive enzyme. Getting full bllod panel T4/T3 RT3 TPO & TAA. I think I may have a RT3 issue because of bad diet and inflamation issues. We shall see, I am feeling better, with each step. Currently on 90 Armour. if I have RT3 issue, I will switch to Cytomel to flush RT3 quicker.
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