Still feeling tired and no energy.

[raine-wager]

I have had my levo raised to 100mg/75 on alternate days. My mood is better, but still have days where I could sleep all day. I still get orthostatic intolerance my nails and hair seem to have slightly improved. I take vitamin D and B12 supplements. I also have osteoarthritis, sleep apnea (have cpap machine) and a pacemaker. Just wondered what you think of my last bloods...

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

raine-wager

Your FT4 is very low in range at just 28%, FT3 is 38% through range. The aim of a hypo patient generally, when on Levo, 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. Your results suggest you need an increase in your dose of Levo if that test was done when you were taking 100/75mcg. Maybe try 100mcg daily to start with, retest 6-8 weeks later. You may need further increases, if so retest 6-8 weeks after any change in dose.

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Vit D is low, how much D3 do you take?

The Vit D Council recommends a level of 125nmol/L and the Vit D Society recommends a level of 100-150nmol/L. If you wish to improve your level then the Vit D Council suggests, to reach their recommended level from your current level, supplementing with 3,700iu D3 daily (nearest is 4,000iu), along with it's recommended important cofactors.

D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems such as hardening of the arteries, kidney stones, etc.

D3 and K2 are fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day, D3 four hours away from thyroid meds if taking tablets/capsules/softgels, no necessity if using an oral spray.

Magnesium helps D3 to work. We need Magnesium so that the body utilises D3, it's required to convert Vit D into it's active form. So it's important we ensure we take magnesium when supplementing with D3.

Magnesium comes in different forms, check to see which would suit you best and as it's calming it's best taken in the evening, four hours away from thyroid meds if taking tablets/capsules, no necessity if using topical forms of magnesium.

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

drjockers.com/best-magnesiu...

afibbers.org/magnesium.html

Check out the other cofactors too (some of which can be obtained from food).

When you've reached the recommended level then you'll need a maintenance dose to keep it there, which may be 2000iu daily, maybe more or less, maybe less in summer than winter, it's trial and error so it's recommended to retest once or twice a year to keep within the recommended range. You can do this with a private fingerprick blood spot test with an NHS lab which offers this test to the general public:

vitamindtest.org.uk/

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B12 is OK.

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Ferritin is recommended to be half way through range, are you supplementing? Or maybe you ate liver, liver pate, black pudding or other high iron food in the week before the test?

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Folate is recommended to be at least half way through range so you are slightly low there as half way is 11.5 but your level is certainly not dire.

As you are supplementing with B12, are you also taking a good B Complex to balance all the B vitamins? If not then this is recommended, one with methylfolate such as Thorne Basic B, Igennus Super B or a whole food B Complex. The methylfolate will improve your folate level. If you get a B Complex with a decent amount of B12 then you might be able to ditch the separate B12 supplement.

[raine-wager in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you, I do find it hard retaining and understanding all this info..I was prescribed vit d by rheumatologist but when my levels got up a bit dr halved the dose and now I cant get it on nhs so will up my dose..also I'm on furusomide for fluid retention and aspirin . Heart and vascular all ok...I take b12 complex. I will look into the magnesium. Bloods were taken before the increase. Dr still not convinced I'm hypothyroid. Consultant was reluctant to increase it...they put it down to my weight and I'm sick of hearing it.

[silverfox7]

Once you need to supplement then it’s often for life though we may be able to find a maintenance dose. When we stop levels can drop quickly.

[Buxon]

Like you, I didn't have absolutely no energy, even to talk, until endocrinologist suggested Human Growth Harmone injection. My life has transformed since I started. I inject myself every night. I do get tired on occasions but nothing compared to how I used to feel. I suggest you speak to your endocrinologist about HGR. It has worked for me.