Over medicated

[Laurajake123]

Hi just after advice dr seems to think Im over medicated but I feel ok other than light headed my tsh is 0.02 ( 0.4 - 4.0 ) free t4 27 ( 6 - 19 ) they want me to drop from 150 mg to 125 mg but I'm scared i become under active

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Laurajake123

Yes, your FT4 is way over range which would indicate that you are taking too much Levo. However, dose changes should only be done in 25mcg increments, retesting after 6 weeks.

But you don't have the full picture. You need FT3 testing at the same time as FT4 and TSH. My guess is that your FT4 and FT3 aren't in balance. If you had a high, over range FT3 as well, I think you would be having symptoms of possibly feeling anxious, jittery, like "hyper" type symptoms. As you haven't mentioned these then before doing anything else you need to get FT3 tested as well as FT4 and TSH.

Also, I'd test vitamins and minerals:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

And if you haven't had thyroid antibodies tested then I'd test those as well.

Only then will you have the full picture and a decision can be made as to whether to reduce Levo, add T3, address nutrient deficiencies, etc.

If you doctor can't or wont do all these tests, then I'd do it with a private test bundle from one of our recommended labs. The tests that cover all these are

Blue Horizon Thyroid PLUS ELEVEN or

Medichecks Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT

Post results, with reference ranges and units of measurement for Vit D and B12, and members will comment.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Brief look through your previous posts, can't see any vitamin or antibodies test results

Just testing TSH and FT4 is completely inadequate

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

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_...

[Laurajake123]

Thank you think il have to save up and get private tests so unfair the doctors seem to not understand thyroid disorders at all