Please help with my results - feeling symptomat... - Thyroid UK

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Please help with my results - feeling symptomatic x

Sarahlouise1980 profile image
2 Replies

Hi All,

Please could I have some advice on my recent blood test. It was reduced from 150mcg to 125mcg of Levothyroxine as I had symptoms of overmedication - daily headaches, intolerance of heat and anxiety. Below are the results after taking 125mcg for six weeks, my gp said no further action is needed:

TSH < 0.005 (0.38-5.33)

Free T4 16.4 (7.0-16.0)

Free T3 5.0 (3.8-6.0)

I feel better than I did before the reduction in dose headaches have gone but I still feel very hot and sweaty at times and I have anxiety. I’m thinking about reducing my dose again, could anybody give me any advice?

Thank you x

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Sarahlouise1980
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

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

Have you ever had thyroid antibodies tested?

When were vitamins last tested? They need regular testing and we frequently need to supplement to maintain at good levels

Add vitamin results and ranges if you have any

Or ask GP to test these and thyroid antibodies

What vitamin supplements do you currently take?

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)

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_...

Poor temperature control and anxiety can be symptoms of being under medicated as well as over replaced

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Your TSH is suppressed and your FT4 is over range (although FT3 is only 55% through range).

You could a further reduction - maybe just 12.5mcg - and see how you feel. This could possibly lower your FT3 as well as your FT4 and low T3 can cause symptoms, just something to be aware of.

You were asked about your vitamins and antibodies in previous posts on the forum, you didn't answer about antibodies or Vit D but it as mentioned that your B12 could do with a nudge up. If you can give us the up to date results for your antibodies and vitamins we can probably help.

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