Results Help

[Tiggerdumbo]

Hi, I have been feeling really crap so have had private blood tests taken.

TSH 0.57 (0.27-4.2) bottom end of range

Free T3 3.95 (3.1 - 6.8) bottom end of range

Free thyroxine 17.7 (12-22) mid range

Do you think I need my dose increased, feeling extremely tired, hard to get motivated, light headed, depressed, crap etc, cant lose weight, fed up.

Also, my thyroglobin antibodies are 930 (0 -115) off the scale

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies 60.5 (0 - 34) off the scale

I know this is hashis but every time I have private tests done thes increases, should I be worried?

Thank you for any help.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Tiggerdumbo

Antibodies fluctuate so it's not unusual to have different levels each time they are tested.

Some members have found that adopting a strict gluten free diet can help, although there is no guarantee.

Supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.

As for your thyroid test results, with your FT4 57% through range and your FT3 only 23% through range then there is plenty of room for an increase in your dose of Levo.

Did you also have vitamins tested:

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

These need to be optimal for thyroid hormone to work properly and conversion of T4 to T3. If not tested then I'd suggest you do so and post results on here. You may have low levels or deficiencies which often happens when Hashi's is present.

[Tiggerdumbo in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you. I take selenium, magnesium, vit d and b already, but feeling a lot worse recently. Do you think I am being reasonable if I ask for increase in medication? Thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Tiggerdumbo]

What are your current levels, so that you know you are supplementing at the right dose and that your levels are optimal so that your thyroid hormone can work properly.

Do you take Vit K2 - an important cofactor of D3.

It wouldn't be unreasonable to ask for an increase but your GP might not be willing due to your TSH being low in range. However, you could use the following information in support of your request:

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

[e-mail]

print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor.

[Tiggerdumbo in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for your help much appreciated

[Marz in reply to Tiggerdumbo]

SeasideSusie asked for your levels of VitD etc. How much are you taking ? Dose geared to your results ... Also results for B12 - Folate and Ferritin needed.

[msmono in reply to SeasideSusie]

This might apply to me, although i don't actually feel well but very useful info nonetheless. Hope you get what you need tiggerdumbo. 🙂

[Tiggerdumbo in reply to msmono]

Thank you. 7 years on and still feel crap, feel so fed up with it all at the moment, hence doc appt.

[msmono in reply to Tiggerdumbo]

Horrible. I feel for you 😢. All we want us to feel a bit less ill. Doesn't seem like much to ask.

[Tiggerdumbo in reply to msmono]

I know, unless you live it you don't understand 😥😥