Can you feel worse on a lower tsh level?

[Simba145]

Basically I’ve been pushing to have my thyroxine increase because I didn’t feel as good as I thought I should. My tsh was 2 on 75tablits and a lot of the time felt great but not all the time, I’m think that could be attributed to not knowing what foods made me feel terrible yet such as gluten.im now at 0.9 and wondering if it’s better to have a higher tsh as that would cause more t3 to be release instead of prodominently t4 substitute that I’m taking. If this is simply incorrect tell me and I’ll feel at ease.

Also wondering if this is related to Lower hgh or lower testosterone since I am a guy. Since gym progress has felt like it’s slowed down almost. (To many variables and it’s just making me over think)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

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 had both thyroid antibodies 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).

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 primary 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 .

Intense exercise can significantly lower FT3, especially if under medicated.

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges on all tests

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon

This question is somewhat academic as I have a fairly low exercise tolerance and really only walk these days.... but how intense is the intense exercise you mentioned above?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Depends what stage you are at and how low FT3 is.

Low Vitamin levels and poor gut function obviously affect this too