still clueless (pictur)

[Pictur]

Had blood work done in Sept. My Tsh was 5.17 (0.35-5.00), Free T4 was 13 (12-22) and Free T3 was 3.4 (3.4-5.9). These are the results after my medication was reduced to 50mcg in June. My B12 was 612 (over 220) is good. Ferritin was 138 (12-289). The dr wants me to take 75mcg of levrothryoxine every Wed and Sunday and 50mcg on the other days. Why is it so hard to get my ranges where they should be. I have a constant headache and am gaining weight.

[Lalatoot]

You are undermedicated. When on levo tsh should be 1 or lower. Your ft 4 is at the bottom of the range as is your ft3. You will feel poorly with results like these. It is low ft3 that causes most of our symptoms and most feel well with their ft3 well over halfway through the range. You need more levo to increase your blood levels.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Pictur

Looking at your previous post from a month ago you told us

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

My last reading in July:

TSH was 0.11 (0.35-5.00)

T4 was 17 (12-22).

T3 was 4.3 (3.4-5.9)

meds reduced to 50mcg

Why was your dose reduced to 50mcg? You were not overmedicated because your FT4 was only 50% through it's range.

This reduction in dose obviously made you undermedicated as your new results on that lower dose were:

Tsh was 5.17 (0.35-5.00)

Free T4 was 13 (12-22)

Free T3 was 3.4 (3.4-5.9)

Your TSH became over range, your FT4 fell to just 10% through range and your FT3 was at the very bottom of the range.

Now your dose has been increased to 75mcg which these latest results so obviously show is needed.

You now need to retest 6-8 weeks after this dose increase.

You've been asked several times in past threads about having antibodies tested, you said you hadn't and you were going to get this done. Have you had thyroid antibodies tested yet?

It was also suggested that you test Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin and it would seem that only B12 and Ferritin have been tested.

[Pictur in reply to SeasideSusie]

Unfortunately I can only ask my dr for these tests. it is ultimately their decision what to test for.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Pictur]

Are you in the UK, we have recommended private labs that do tests for a reasonable price, fingerprick or venous blood draw.

[Pictur in reply to SeasideSusie]

no I live in Canada

[shaws Administrator in reply to Pictur]

I think you may have to look after your own health and read the comments on this forum. Many of us source our own thyroid hormones and get a private test (if necessary).

In fact we don't need to many blood tests, if we increase our dose of thyroid hormones gradually and taking note if our symptoms are being relieved that's the way to go.

This is a link you may find helpful. The aim of thyroid hormone replacements is that our symptoms are removed - we feel well and get on with life as we used to do.

naturalthyroidsolutions.com...

I think many doctors only refer to the blood test results and ignore the clinical symptoms the patients may have. The aim is to relieve all the clinical symptoms and that's usually by a TSH of 1 or lower and a Free T4 and Free T3 within the upper part of the ranges.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you in the UK?

If so you can get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing privately

Previous post shows you use to be on 150mcg ......

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

such huge dose reduction will almost certainly have caused very low vitamin levels

Your results show you are now VERY under medicated.

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

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

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose ( or brand) change in Levothyroxine

Always stick to same brand of Levothyroxine

Just increasing by 25mcg just 2 days per week is almost certainly too little

Suggest you increase dose to at least 75mcg 3 times a week .

Come back with new post once you get full test results

Headache and weight gain are hypothyroid symptoms

Your previous results on 75mcg did not show over medication. TSH is frequently suppressed on Levothyroxine. Most important results are FT3 and FT4....these were both well within range. In fact rather low and indicated you needed dose increase

Your GP is clueless. Is there a different GP you can see?

[Pictur in reply to SlowDragon]

Trying to get a new dr where I live is impossible unless yours is retiring. Most of the drs are not taking new patients. I have been with mine for over 30 years and it has only been since last Sept that my numbers have gone all crazy and I don’t know why. There are some very knowledgeable on this site and I really do appreciate all their input. I have done as suggested by increasing my dosage to 75 mcg, 4 times a week. I go for another test at the end of November.Hopefully my numbers will straighten themselves out.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pictur]

Many people have to step over the head of GP and go see a knowledgeable thyroid specialist endocrinologist

Email Dionne at Thyroid Uk for list of recommended endocrinologists

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/About_...

But BEFORE seeing any endocrinologist we ALWAYS recommend getting full Thyroid and vitamin testing FIRST (especially if paying for private consultation)

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges

Always make sure you get bloods done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test

Remember to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before any blood tests as biotin can falsely affect test results

[greygoose]

You can't get your results where they need to be because your doctor is dosing by the TSH. And that is 100% wrong. And bound to cause constant see-sawing. The most important number is the FT3, and that's what he should be looking at. You'll never get will with a doctor who doses by the TSH.