Success with alternatives to Levothyroxine?

[monkeybird]

So tired. Been on Levo 150 mcg for over 20 years. I go through phases of being a bit better and then much worse. the tiredness is the main problem. tried T3 some years ago and it was unsuccessful.

Is there anyone you see to help with alternatives? I'm in South Bucks.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Monkeybird

First place to start is with test results. What are your latest results, with reference ranges, for the following :

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

This will tell us if you are optimally medicated and whether you convert T4 to T3 well enough. Results for thyroid antibodies will tell us if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune (Hashimoto's).

Also, because low nutrient levels cause symptoms, and optimal levels are needed for thyroid hormone to work properly, we also need to test:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Do you always take your Levo properly - on an empty stomach, one hour before or 2 hours after food, with a glass of water only (no tea, coffee, milk, etc), water only for one hour each side? Do you take your Levo 2 hours away from any other medication and supplements (some need 4 hours)?

So if you can post your results/ranges we can try and help.

[monkeybird in reply to SeasideSusie]

I'm seeing my GP on Friday, will ask for as many tests as possible. The lab has, before now, refused to do T3 etc.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to monkeybird]

Labs tend to ignore requests for FT3 to be tested when TSH is in range. Goodness knows how they can override a doctor's request. This is why so many of us do private tests.

[SilverAvocado]

Monkeybird, there are really only two other forms of thyroid hormone, but because there can be combinations there are a few other ways to try them. Unfortunately the NHS is strongly cutting back and its almost impossible to get anything besides Levothyroxine monotherapy.

For the vast majority of people who don't do well on Levo it will be because they're on the wrong dose. All thyroid hormone needs a carefully tuned dose that's right for that individual person. But doctors will often be very negligent and just put someone on their first dose and leave them there for years. It's common to be left ill for years or even decades

T3 is one of the only other things try. Usually if it's unsuccessful it will be because it hasn't been dosed correctly. In addition some people have a bad reaction to introducing T3 because their body is too ill to cope with the metabolism boost it gives. In those cases it needs to be introduced very slowly and carefully, or other supplements and improvements need to happen first.

To figure out where you are the first thing to do is to get the results SeasideSusie recommends. If you can't get these through your doctor, you can get a finger prick mailorder test from Bluehorizon or Medichecks.

[monkeybird in reply to SilverAvocado]

Thank you

[jgelliss in reply to SilverAvocado]

I agree with SilverAvocado . But I must also add to be very cautious that being on T4 only for some time and trying to add any sort of T3/NDT can unmask adrenal issues . Which means that adding T3 and if doesn't work or you feel worse for it it's not the T3 that is the problem . But you might want to support your adrenals first and to see if you have any gut issues that needs to be addressed to make the T3/NDT to work successfully . I experienced just this problem . I can tell you that Dr's never address these issues . Either they don't know much about it . Which is more likely . Or they don't bother with it till issues rise . Thyroid patients know well that to make T3 work well is to support adrenals and *Gut* issues first .

[monkeybird in reply to jgelliss]

Thank you. Any idea how to support the adrenals first?

[jgelliss in reply to monkeybird]

Supporting adrenals are very important . Testing your Adrenal/Cortisol levels via 24 hour saliva would be vey helpful for you . Vitamin "C" , B-Complex , B-5 , magnesium , Celtic Sea Salt for adrenal/electrolytes .

Best Wishes .