Most recent results from private test
TSH 1.81 range 0.27-4.2
FREE T3 range 3.1- 6.8
FREE T4 range 12 - 22
Taking 125 thyroxine daily
Still loosing hair and very dry skin, really foggy brain and bad aches and pains'
Can anyone give me any guidance please
sorry forgot values, what did I say about my brain
Most recent results from private test
TSH 1.81 range 0.27-4.2
FREE T3 3.91 range 3.1- 6.8
FREE T4 16.5 range 12 - 22
Still loosing hair and very dry skin, really foggy brain and bad aches and pains'
Can anyone give me any guidance please
Hi Lellyb55 👋 The 3 little dots opposite the ‘reply’ button allow you to edit your post ( essential when we one of our main symptoms is forgetfulness 😬😂)
How long have you been on Levo? Do you have Hashi’s? How long have you been on this dose? Have you had vitamin and mineral testing recently? Are thy optimal?
You’re latest results are not great 😢
You must feel really run down. Most likely you need a Levo increase and after your increase I’d keep and eye on that FT3 score. Hopefully Levo will bring that up and you’ll feel like a new person 🤗
I have been on Levo for 18 months my GP didnt treat me until my TSH was 10 and now thats all they will test. The hair loss dry skin and tiredness went so much worse when i went on Levo - still feel run down but not as bad
So your symptoms have got worse on Levo?
They did at first my hair was coming out in handfuls and although not coming out as much has not really returned to how it was, thankfully I had really thick hair but not anymore, and was really exhausted - like a light being switched off, thats not quite as bad but can still come and go. I have polyosteoarthritis (everywhere) and lots of spinal problems which seem so much worse oh and tinnitus in one ear, at least its only one ear x apart from that still truckin xx
Lellyb55
Plenty of room for an increase in dose. When on Levo only, the aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their ranges if that is where you feel well.
Your FT4 is only 45% through the range, FT3 is only 22% through range. Upper part of the range would be somewhere around 19+ for FT4 and 5.9 for FT3 - if that is where you feel well.
As you did a private test, did you also do thyroid antibodies and vitamins - Vit D, B12, Folalte, Ferritin? Your bad aches and pains could possibly be low Vit D and your hair loss could possibly be low ferritin.
Thanks Susie, my GP is not good or understanding did this test only never had vitamins etc - asked for referral but not getting anywhere.Also have 2 nodules on thyroid, they have never mentioned Hashi's but as my anti bodies where very high and my TSH was 10 before I started any treatment i do think i have it. Thanks for the reply
Raised antibodies do confirm Hashi's.
Some members have found that adopting a strict gluten free diet can help, although there is no guarantee.
Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks.
You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.
Gluten/thyroid connection: chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...
stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...
hypothyroidmom.com/hashimot...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.
Hashi's and gut absorption problems tend to go hand in hand and can very often result in low nutrient levels or deficiencies.
It's essential to get those vitamins tested now.
Will read up now - thanks so much for the help x
You need an increase in dose. Your TSH is still on the high side, and your FT3 is very low. And, it's low T3 that causes symptoms. 
Email Dionne at Thyroid Uk for list of recommended thyroid specialists
please email Dionne at
tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
You need dose increase in Levothyroxine and vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
Is this how you did the test?
See a different GP and ask for dose increase in Levothyroxine and vitamin testing
Thyroid levels will need retesting 6-8 weeks after dose increase
New NHS England Liothyronine guidelines November 2018 clearly state on pages 8 & 12 that TSH should be between 0.4-1.5 when treated with just Levothyroxine
Note that it says test should be in morning BEFORE taking Levo thyroxine
Also to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin
sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploa...
If Your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
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
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)
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...
Other gut issues due to being hypothyroid
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's Gut connection is very poorly understood
Wow thanks Slowdragon for all this brilliant information - I will read up and go back to my GP - thanks all so much xx
Come back with new post once you get vitamin results
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T3 / T4 test Results.
