Journey from T3 Only back to T4, over last 5 months following advice that I’d never given T4 a chance to work long enough at a high enough dose. In summary, since end of June 2019, I’ve gradually transitioned from being on T3 31.25mcg to T4 ONLY. (In steps of 6.25mcg T3 reduction & simultaneous increase of 25mcg). Last T3 dose around a week before 18 October 2019 Test below.
18 October 2019 Results
Dosage at Test date: 100mcg T4
FT3 3.25 (1.7 - 3.8)
FT4 11 (7 - 14.8)
TSH 0.005 (0.35 - 4.94)
So that’s through the range:
FT3: 74 %
FT4: 51 %
25 November 2019 Results
Dosage at Test date: 125mcg T4
FT3 4.64 (3.5 - 6.5)
FT4 16.38 (11.5 - 22.7)
TSH 0.019 (0.27 - 4.20)
So that’s through the range:
FT3: 38 %
FT4: 43.57 %
Ferritin 43.1 (10 - 291) ng/mL
Folic Acid 14.6 (>5.68) ng/mL
Antibody TPO 183.7 (>9 positive)
Antibody TBG 1.1 (>4 positive)
B12 Active > 128 (25.1 - 165)
Iron 76.2 (33 - 193) ug/dL
TIBC 312.8 (255- 450) ug/dL
UIBC 236.6 (135 - 392) ug/dL
Vitamin D 59.1 ng/mL (30 - 100)
June 2019, so not retested.
23 December 2019 Results
Dosage at Test date: 137.5mcg T4
FT3 5.71 (3.5 - 6.5)
FT4 19.41 (11.5 - 22.7)
TSH 0.005 (0.27 - 4.20)
So that’s through the range:
FT3: 73.67 %
FT4: 70.63 %
All bloods seem optimal but I seem to be mentally & physically crashing by late afternoon with strange aches and pains, difficulty breathing, dizziness, palpitations on and off that feel like your heart hurts, I’m mostly emotional, crying a lot, feel worthless, feel a failure, feel I’m engulfed in darkness. Almost back to the point where I first discovered I was sick back in September 2018. I’m puzzled!
How do I get out of this ?
Anyone here with similar results and similar symptoms?
Do I need estrogen/progesterone tests ?
Any advice would be greatly received.
Written by
Sami-M
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Sending you hugs. You will get through this. Think about your body. Every month almost you have been increasing the hormones you give it. It likes stability. Maybe it is telling you that it now needs a while of no changes just to settle and balance. I would do nothing for a while. Keep warm and spoil yourself. Do as little as possible. It takes time to heal.
Lalatoot thank you so so much, trying to hang on in there! Yes, what you say makes perfect sense. I’m almost on a slow motion at the moment and yes almost forced to take it a few hours at a time. I’ve your full support and it definitely lightens the load and I’ve hope knowing it will settle. I think since the diagnosis in September 2018 till now, with the great minds here, time wise I guess it’s been a fairly short journey on the road to getting better.
I agree. You're increasing and retesting too quickly. You should leave at least six weeks between each retest/increase. You could be over-medicated by now.
Thank you Greygoose, I appreciate it very much. On the way down from 31.25mcg T3, yes there were a few occasions where I dropped the 6.25mcg for the replacement 25mcg T4, faster than the 6 weeks. Unfortunately, due to travel, I only retested at the very end of the transition completion, was forced to go by symptoms only. With the last test only on 23 December 2019, yes I could indeed be over medicated on the next test. I will retest again in 6 weeks before maybe dropping would you say by 12.5mcg T4 if over medicated ?
If not that's likely next step to try .....approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)
Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
December 2019, TBG now negative and TPO significantly reduced. Don’t understand how or why a year later only TBG is now negative. Understand I have Hashimotos.
October 2018
Anti-TG 264 (>60 positive) U/ml
Anti-TPO 1300 (>60 positive) U/ml
November 2019
Antibody TBG 1.1 (>4 positive) lU/mL
Antibody TPO 183.7 (>9 positive) lU/mL
I’m not on a gluten free diet and not had the Coeliac test. I do however limit gluten.
I’ve supplemented with mostly 2x65mg Ferrous Fumarate daily for a year and still supplementing daily. Improvement is really slow. Not sure if I should increase or try a different variety ?
Other vitamins, the picture on diagnosis was I must say horrific! Every mineral/vitamin was on the floor. I learnt principally from this forum and took loading doses over 6 months of b12 injections. I took Vit D 10,000 daily for around 6 months.
I’m currently daily supplementing, B12 1500, Active B Complex, Vit D 5000, K2 MK-7 100, Magnesium Citrate 400, Ferrous Fumarate, Zinc 50mg (alternate days) Selenium 100, Vit C and Ashwagandha as and when I feel low energy. I’ve taken probiotics for months but currently making my own Kefir. Not sure if anybody here uses Kefir. Diet/vegetables etc is good. I’ve been actively trying to heal the gut.
Any advice, greatly appreciated SlowDragon. Very best wishes for a great New Year! xx
Thank you for your response McPammy. I’ve never had the 24 Hr Cortisol saliva tests done, only Cortisol morning Serum. I had these done around the time of initial Hashimoto diagnosis. Results below:
5 December 2018
DHEA-S 93.10 (95.80 - 511.70) ug/dL
Cortisol Morning Serum
12.30 (4.30 - 22.40) ug/dl
29 January 2019
DHEA-S 86.00 (95.80 - 511.70) ug/dl
Cortisol Morning Serum
3.36 (4.30 - 22.40) ug/dl
I take the usual daily Vit D, Vit C, Magnesium, Ashwagandha for adrenal support.
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