Blood tests results

[jazzylady]

I had a total thyroidectomy January 2017. I was on 150mg levothyroxine for a few months, they reduced it first to 125mg and then 100mg as my T4 was high and tsh low, T3 normal. Have been on 100mg better part of year. Over last 3- 4 months I have gained over a stone regardless of healthy diet and lots of exercise. I have occasional sore joints and periods of feeling like I have flu or want to pass out and no energy. I wake with a headache most mornings (back of the head) which normally goes during the day. My latest blood test results are TSH slightly low T3 normal and T4 high. I suspect the doctor will want to decrease my levothyroxine dose. How low is safe and won't that increase my weight gain? If I'm clinically hyper Shouldn't I be full of energy and losing weight?

[Hennerton]

Welcome to the site. You need to post the actual figures from your blood tests before members can really know what is going on. Add the reference range too, as these vary across the country. My own feeling is that you are not converting well (T4 to T3, the active hormone). This happened to me too, after my thyroidectomy and I now take both hormones. Sadly it is not as simple as it sounds, as T3, Liothyronine is hard to get prescribed now. It is a long and complicated story but you could look up other posts to learn the history behind it.

You also need to have blood tests for ferritin, B12, Folate and Vit D. Low levels impede conversion. Do not start a supplement until you know your results. This is a long journey but you have come to the right site and I am sure you will get lots more replies to help you.

[jazzylady in reply to Hennerton]

Tsh 0.51 (0.55-4.78)

T3 4.6 (3.5-6.5)

T4 21.3 (10-18.7)

[Nanaedake in reply to jazzylady]

What levothyroxine are you taking? If taking TEVA I would try a different brand and see if it alters your absorption.

Have you checked your vitamin levels? Poor vitamin levels appears to prevent effective thyroid hormone utilisation.

[jazzylady in reply to Nanaedake]

I take levothyroxine, company name on packet is mercury pharmacy.

My t3 is within the normal so why do you suggest I'm not converting properly? My gp will say I am and as the t3 is high will probably want yo reduce my levothyroxine again. Chemically I'm presenting as hyper, but my symptoms suggest hypo!!

[jazzylady in reply to jazzylady]

I meant t4 is high not t3

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to jazzylady]

Because your Free T4 is over range but your free T3 is not even half way up the range - that is the definition of poor conversion.

You are not "presenting as hyper". Your TSH is normal and your free T3 (the active hormone) is low in range (36.7%). Ideally, you would have a small reduction in thyroxine and the addition of T3, but that is unlikely to happen. You need to see an endo to get T3.

[Hidden]

Why not try NDT that's exactly what I did 8 months after my TT and being put on various does of Levo. I had gone from fit to not even being able to get of the floor without help. I also gained 10lbs in weight for the first time in my 69 years.

That was in Oct 2015 it has taken some time to feel well again but I wouldn't change back.