My Levothyroxine was increased in July from 75 to 100 and again last week to 125 and I’m due another blood test in 6 weeks.
I’m 60 and been diagnosed now for two years with autoimmune hypothyroidism. I was ok really since diagnosis but, I’m a competitive cyclist and I’ve noticed my performance has totally tanked and I’m not now competitive. In fact Ive been dropped from the team which is devastating as I’ve trained so hard. I’ve been getting very dizzy after cycling so much so that when I get off my bike I might need to get on the floor! It’s not a good look and I feel it’s because I’m trying so hard!
My next competitive event is on 12 October it’s not a team event I’ll be on my own. I suppose I’m looking for advice on my results and how feasible it is that I’ll be ok for October.
Thanks in anticipation
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Lorwri-1
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It's not surprising that your performance has tanked, your FT3 is right at the bottom of the reference range. T3 is the active hormone which every cell in our bodies need, low T3 causes symptoms.
Do you have any results which show TSH, FT4 and FT3 all tested at the same time. We need to see how well you convert T4 to T3 to comment on whether you are on the right thyroid meds/dose.
Also, for thyroid hormone to work we need optimal nutrient levels so it's important to test
I’ve supplemented vitamin D, K2 and magnesium for a couple of years now I also take a B complex. There was no mention of checking any of these by GP. I had to fight to get Levothyroxine increased. The GP made me feel like a hypochondriac!
TSH T3 and T4 results in July are in the above post, you may have missed it.
TSH T3 and T4 results in July are in the above post, you may have missed it.
Oh yes, sorry, head in a bit of a spin today (had to take poorly puss cat to vet).
TSH 4.63
Serum free T4 13.9 (12-22)
Serum Free triiodothyronine 2.8
On 14/12/18
TSH 2.67 (0.3-5.5)
T4 17.6 (12-22)
T3 3.6 (3.1-6.8)
To see how well we convert T4 to T3 we need TSH to be 1 or below to give us as high a FT4 result as possible then compare the FT3 with the FT4. Neither of these sets of results meet that criteria but one might guess that conversion isn't that good.
Your Hashi's will be causing fluctuations with your results (and maybe your symptoms) as that is the nature of the beast so that doesn't help either.
Are you addressing the Hashi's at all - many members find that a gluten free diet helps, also supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine 200mcg daily can also help reduce the antibodies, as can keeping TSH suppressed.
When supplementing with Vit D we should check levels twice a year and aim to keep within the range recommended by the Vit D Council/Vit D Society which is 100-150nmol/L (40-60ng/ml).
If our GPs wont test our nutrient levels, which is not unexpected really, then many of us do this annually with a private test with one of ThyroidUK's recommended labs.
See what your levels are like in 6 weeks' time now that you've had an increase. 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. Hopefully your TSH will have lowered and we may be able to see how well you convert but you will need FT4 and FT3 testing as well. You're welcome to post your new results on the forum for further comment.
When doing thyroid tests, we advise:
* Book the first appointment of the morning, or with private tests at home no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. If we are looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction then we need TSH to be as high as possible.
* Fast overnight - have your evening meal/supper as normal the night before but delay breakfast on the day of the test and drink water only until after the blood draw. Eating may lower TSH, caffeine containing drinks affect TSH.
* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then last dose should be 8-12 hours before blood draw. Adjust timing the day before if necessary. This avoids measuring hormone levels at their peak after ingestion of hormone replacement. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.
* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it will give false results (Medichecks definitely use Biotin, they have confirmed this and the amount of time to leave the supplement off).
These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.
I am gluten-free for nearly 4 years now and have never cheated. I have very little dairy in my diet I have fresh cream in one coffee a day. I eat absolutely no rubbish everything I eat provides me with good nutrition. I’m not overweight although I have gained a bit this last month or so. I cycle over 100 miles every week and I lift heavy twice a week.
Sorry I forgot to mention I do supplement with selenium.
I can say I don’t feel too bad I sort of accepted the tiredness as part of being active, it was the serious dropping in performance that alerted me to the problem and the dizziness.
Happy to have any other recommendations you may have
The only thing I can add at this point is that hard exercise depletes T3 and you have very little of that at the moment. It might be a case of you needing to cut back on your exercise until your levels are better but I can understand how difficult that could be for someone so active.
Dizziness can be low B12 so it's worth mentioning that to your GP and push for the nutrient tests.
The dizziness has reduced since I was increased to 100 Levothyroxine so I think it may already be addressed. I will ask to get levels checked next time.
I’ll review my training program for the next couple of weeks
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