Hi everyone,
My TSH was 2.0 during my recent bloods. My Endo says this is perfect but it seems rather high, he did not up my dose. I’m currently on 100mcg of Levo. It had been 30 hours since I’d last taken a dose before having my bloods drawn (920am). Would the fact that it had been 30 hours have affected my T4,T3 and TSH?
HC x
HypoCrazy
How do you feel?
Would the fact that it had been 30 hours have affected my T4,T3 and TSH?
It wouldn't affect TSH but it would give you a false low FT4.
What were the results (with ranges) for FT4 and FT3?
The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it needs to be for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their reference ranges, if that is where you feel well.
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine (the magazine for doctors):
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l. In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l. This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l).*"
*He recently confirmed, during a public meeting, that this applies to Free T3 as well as Total T3.
You can obtain a copy of the article by emailing Dionne at
tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor and ask for an increase in dose if you are still symptomatic.
Sorry Susie I just realised I replied to my original post and not yours!
Please let me know what you think, I much appreciate your advice 😘
Dear Susie
Thank you for your reply 🙂
I feel OK, a bit up and down but somewhat human.
My bloods were T3 4.2 (upper part of range 6.8)
T4 19.1 (range 10.6-23.3 pmol/L)
My T3 levels were previously 5.0 on Levo 100 mcg last year, but then I took a T3/T4 combo from Switzerland that made both my T3 and T4 levels drop considerably. I stopped taking this in May. Would it take more than 2 and a half months to return to my previous levels?
Take care
HC x
Would it take more than 2 and a half months to return to my previous levels?
I wouldn't have thought so but we're all different. Whenever I've changed a dose of either Levo or T3 I find my levels stabilise by 8 weeks.
As your test was done with 30 hours since your last dose of Levo, to get an accurate picture I would retest with the correct time gap of 24 hours. I don't want to guess what your FT4 and FT3 would have been with the correct time gap because your FT4, even though lower than it would have been, is 67% through range. Also, you have Hashi's and this can give strange results at times.
What are your current nutrient levels?
Dear Susie
My B12 is very high (often above range) and as my D has been out of range high before, I’ve cut down on supplementation. Perhaps it’s now significantly lower as a consequence... where in the range for D is best for us thyroid folk, do you know?
My folate is often low but currently it’s OK - I supplement with this too.
My ferritin levels are quite low consistently though 😕
HC
x
For Vit D the Vit D Council recommends a level of 125nmol/L (50ng/ml) and the Vit D Society recommends a level of 100-150nmol/L (40-60ng/ml).
My ferritin levels are quite low consistently though
How low? Do you have the latest result with reference range?
Dear Susie
Good to know! I haven’t had my iron tested for a few months but it was:
Serum Ferritin Iron 40.0 ug/L (13-150ug/L)
I realise this is low but GPs don’t seem interested as ferritin doesn’t seem to be the ‘important’ bit.
HC
x
Your GP will consider your ferritin is fine because it's in range. Mine said mine was fine at 39 until I said it had fallen from 119 and I was then offered iron tablets (I refused, said I would raise it by eating liver instead).
It's said that for thyroid hormone to work properly (that's our own as well as replacement hormone) ferritin needs to be at least 70, preferably half way through range.
Thank you Susie, I really appreciate your advice. Admittedly the thought of eating liver makes me gag... would I be able to ‘get away’ with taking beef liver capsules instead?
HCx
would I be able to ‘get away’ with taking beef liver capsules instead?
Funny you should say that, I've got some on the way to give them a try (I'm getting very lazy with cooking!). I haven't been able to work out the equivalent number of capsules to equal 120g of actual liver, will wait until they arrive and maybe contact the manufacturer. I imagine it's much more expensive to take the capsules though, liver is very cheap.
Dear Susie
Perhaps we could try supplementing with beef liver for 6 weeks or so & then report back to each other our thoughts ☺️
Kind regards
HC
x
Mine arrived this morning. Each capsule contains 750mg of "powdered cooked beef liver" and the serving suggestion is 1-3 capsules daily.
I have a recent ferritin result from my GP and I have a Medichecks iron deficiency test waiting to be done sometime. There are 120 capsules in the pack so as that's only 40 days I'm not yet sure whether to retest then or get another pack. Will give that some thought.
I've contacted the manufacturer to see how the desiccated liver capsules compare with fresh liver.
If you haven't yet bought any, from what I have read it's best to buy the "non defatted" version. As liver contains Vit A, and it's a fat soluble vitamin, it's best to have the fat to aid absorption of the Vit A.
As I'm hopeless at remembering to get back to people, give me a nudge to ask how it's going 
dear Susie, thank you. I won’t forget to give you a nudge 😘
Endo consultation today for low TSH
Endo said TSH 8.46 is fine 
TSH 3.26 but endo says it's fine.
Endo wants to lower dose due to low tsh
Latest endo appointment. Will not increase T3 as TSH now low!!!!!
