Nanedrake,
You seem very knowledgeable I just got diagnosed with underactive thyroid hypothyroidism I have been battling this for about six months but for the last one month I haven't put on levothyroxine 50 MCG it's not helping me at all my next appointment is in six days with the endocrinologist do I hang in there is that even enough time to see results or should I solely be seeing results? Can you just tell me any info that you know or think please help
Do you mean you have NOT been put on levo? " I haven't put on levothyroxine 50 MCG".
If you are going to see an Endocrinologist I wouldn't worry too much, as he might have a better idea how to treat you rather than your GP.
I shall give some hints for the future and don't hesitate to ask any question or whatever troubles you.
When we're diagnosed with hypothyroidism we're given 50mcg of levothyroxine. It is a starting dose and we have a blood test every six weeks (I'd make one in advance in order to get the earliest appointment) with a 25mcg increase in dose. It should be a fasting test (we can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and test and take it afterwards. This helps keep the TSH at its highest as most doctors only take notice of TSH and may prevent the doctor adjusting dose down.
Once upon a time, there were no blood tests at all for thyroid hormones. Doctors knew clinical symptoms and we were given NDT (natural dessicated thyroid hormones) made from animals' thyroid glands) and they recovered and no longer died prematurely.
Ask GP to test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. All have to be optimal as deficiencies also cause symptoms.
Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges for your own records and post if you have a query. There is no quick fix as become hypo begins slowly and it's a long time before we have symptoms.
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
Yes, sorry, that was a typo. I have been on depo for the last month. I used to be anemic and low on folic acid and zinc and have had everything that you mentioned tested everything is good now. I go see my endocrinologist in Wichita on the 25th of this month my husband is overseas and I'm alone with my kids I was just losing Health in needed someone to respond thank you so much for replying and for the extra info cuz I know nothing about any of this honestly just feeling down because I used to be a really active person and it's kind of taking me down a few notches and hard to control anything.. ty!!!!
Ask him if he'd give you a trial of NDT. (natural dessicated thyroid hormones) i.e. Armour or others. These are the original replacements and contain all of the hormones a healthy gland would do. Before NDT in 1892 people just died and these are still prescribed today even though Big Pharma has tried to oust it in favour of T4 alone i.e. levothyroxine. They make bigger profits. You may find the following helpful and Dr Lowe was also an Adviser to Thyroiduk before his accidental death. He'd never prescribe levo only NDT or T3 alone for Thyroid Hormone Resistant patients. i.e. 1 grain (that's the measurements used for NDT) is equal to around 100mcg of levo (in its effect).
Read 'safely getting well'
Do you have recent blood test results and ranges you can add?
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
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose 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)
Is this how you do your tests?
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
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_...
Standard starter dose is 50mcg. The dose is increased slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2, FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range
Vitamins need to be optimal
Frequently, if cause is autoimmune thyroid disease, (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies, gluten can be hidden issue
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...
drknews.com/changing-your-d...
restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...
Thank you for the links! I do not have any of my blood test results he did not give me any and I didn't think to ask for them. I could get them on Monday and at them when I go to Wichita to see him. My B12 is high I know that all my other stuff I think I had tested last month was in the range as far as I remember white blood cell was high but it's stabilized I will be updating whenever I go Monday thank you so much for replying. You guys give me hope when I am alone at home and husband is overseas thank you for taking the time!!
Help! Stuck what to do…
Now what do I do 🤦♀️
Please help what do I do dose reduced from 175mcg to 25mcg
Help...not sure what to do next!
