New Reults in. Am I over medicated?

[Quest2019]

Afternoon.

I had an increase of my Levo about 5 weeks ago. From 100 mcg to 125 mcg. I have added a snapshot of my results for last year & anything that jumps out to you , please let me know. I was diagnosed in October 2017. It is not until this year because of the crazy weight gain (55 lbs/24 kg's/ 3 st 10.91 lb) and a more acute awareness of other symptoms that I just ignored. I have started researching/following groups/getting my own tests done etc. Last month I was able to persuade my GP to up my Levo.

I have highlighted in " yellow " my concerns :

Its Vitamins/Inflammation that I think shouts out that it needs a look at. I have not tried the AIP as of yet.

My thoughts are that the Free T3 and T4 are OK now ? Strange that the TSH is higher than earlier in the year... however still seems to be lower than the range. Should I be concerned about this.

I have attached the results and the apparent Doctors Overview. Is below :

I appreciate your time and input.

Thank you

************************************Doctors Overview **********************************

Thank you for monitoring your health with medichecks. I hope we can help you today!

I can see you are taking this test to review your hashimoto's thyroiditis for which you are taking euthyrox as you are still experiencing symptoms which includes difficulty losing weight, cold hands and poor memory.

Your thyroid stimulating hormone is low which suggests that your thyroid dose may be too high.

Your free thyroxine and T3 have increased and are both in upper half of the normal range.

I advise discussing this result with your doctor.

Having very low levels of thyroid stimulating hormone for several years has been associated with the development of osteoporosis. If your thyroid stimulating hormone always tends to be substantially below the normal range then it may be worth discussing with your GP whether a bone density scan is advised to monitor for the development of osteoporosis. You do not need to worry about the occasional low reading, only if you get repeated very low levels.

Your thyroglobulin antibodies and your thyroid peroxidase antibodies have decreased however they remain elevated. These antibodies are in keeping with your known diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease.

Your CRP level has increased and is currently slightly high. This may indicate increased inflammation and/or infection within the body. If you are experiencing pain, fever or other symptoms that suggest infection or inflammation then I recommend that you discuss this further with your GP.

The type of CRP test that you have had is one which can also indicate future risk of cardiovascular disease. I recommend repeating this test in 6-8 weeks to see whether it remains above 3. If it does then I recommend that you take a more aggressive approach to managing other cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diet, smoking and exercise levels.

Your iron, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D levels are all healthy.

I'm afraid I cannot see any cause for your symptoms from this test. I recommend that you see your GP to discuss your symptoms further.

I hope this has been useful to you.

Best wishes.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

looking at previous posts

You are taking vitamin D - how much?

Level is still too low. Improving to at least 80nmol and around 100nmol may be better

Are you supplementing any magnesium?

Are you supplementing a daily good quality vitamin B complex?

Rather than just supplementing B12 it may be better to take vitamin B complex

folate on the low side. Supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid may be beneficial.

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast

Igennus Super B complex are nice small tablets. Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks

Or Thorne Basic B or jarrow B-right are other options that contain folate, but both are large capsules

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

Can see you very recently went strictly gluten free. Have you noticed any improvements yet?

[Quest2019 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi.

Vitamin D

Q: You are taking vitamin D - how much?

A: Currently I am taking D3 by Nu U - 4000 i.u. & with Vitamin K2 by Nu u - 200 ug

How much do you think I should increase by?

Magnesium

Q :Are you supplementing any magnesium?

A: I am taking Magnesium Citrate by Nu u - 200mg - Is this enough or should I take more?

Vitamin B

Q: Are you supplementing a daily good quality vitamin B complex?

A: I am only taking vitamin B12 by Nu U - 1000 u.i - I need to increase - just not sure how much ?

Gluten Free - I was supposed to go free - however I still have gluten sometimes. I need to reasses everything at the moment. Sort out my food lifestyle big time! I have let myself down in that department

Thank you for response I really appreciate it!!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Quest2019]

Suggest you change to vitamin D mouth spray by Better You when you need to buy more. This is often easier to absorb with Hashimoto's

Magnesium. You could add magnesium flakes to bath once a week.

Vitamin B complex helps improve all B vitamins. See my reply above re brands

[SlowDragon Administrator]

FT4 is 62% through range

FT3 is 68% through range

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

You are pretty good converter of FT4 to FT3

Do you always get same brand of Levothyroxine at each prescription?

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet.

No other medication at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap. Some like calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away

(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)

Levothyroxine should always be taken on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and more effective taken at bedtime

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

Suggest you work on improving low vitamin levels and retest thyroid in another 6-8 weeks

You may need another dose increase in Levothyroxine

[Quest2019 in reply to SlowDragon]

Afternoon,

Q: Do you always get same brand of Levothyroxine at each prescription?

A: I am trying my best to. The last 3 months it has been the same,

Q: Suggest you work on improving low vitamin levels and retest thyroid in another 6-8 weeks

A: Yes I am going to increase the vitamin D + B12 .

Q: You may need another dose increase in Levothyroxine

Reply : Am I not near hyper - like my TSH? Do you think I could increase ?

Thanks again for input x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Quest2019]

TSH is a pituitary hormone, it's largely irrelevant once on Levothyroxine

Most important results are FT3 and FT4. These need to typically be at least 70% through range for many people....sometimes higher (but within range)

Getting vitamins optimal is first step

Then retest thyroid making sure to get blood test as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test

[Quest2019 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi - Great - I will work on this then - I will restest again in 5 weeks x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Quest2019]

You can't be "almost " strictly gluten free.

If you have noticed improvements cutting gluten it does need to be absolutely strictly gluten free.. as if coeliac