Results advice please

[DaddyCool2001]

Medicheck results 23/01/2020

TSH: 1.06mlU/L [0.27-4.2]

FT4: 19.9pmol/L [12-22]

FT3: 5.22pmol/L [3.1-6.8]

Hi all

I’ve been adding 25mcg privately sourced Levo to my prescribed 75mcg since the 05/12/2019 following the advice I received on here and above are my latest results.

I feel ok atm, but I know I could be better. I’m still not losing weight and still get tired late afternoon. Would you recommend another 25mcg increase?

Many thanks.

Rob

[greygoose]

Lord no! 25 mcg is much too much for an increase. We increase by 1/4 tablet every two weeks, normally. But, given the level of your FT3, it might be better to go even slower, and listen very carefully to your body in between. 25 mcg was rather a high dose to start on. Too much too soon will take you right past your sweet-spot.

[Jazzw in reply to greygoose]

Privately sourced levo GG—not lio.

[greygoose in reply to Jazzw]

Oh! Goodness! How did I make that mistake? Sorry, Daddycool.

Be careful adding more levo at this point. Your conversion isn't brilliant, and if your FT4 gets too high, it could make your conversion worse.

Have you had your nutrients tested: vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin? If these are low, they could be impinging on your conversion, and causing symptoms. So, best to get them tested if you haven't already.

[DaddyCool2001 in reply to greygoose]

Haha! Thanks GG. I decided to try quarter of a Tiromel this morning. I’ll keep to that for the next 6 weeks then test again.

[greygoose in reply to DaddyCool2001]

Sounds like a plan.

[Jazzw]

You’re getting close to the tops of the ranges with your current dose of levothyroxine but there’s still a little wriggle room. How about adding another 12.5mcg levothyroxine (or adding another 25mcg every other day for the same effect)? You’ll soon feel if you’ve overdone it.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Definitely don’t increase levothyroxine any further.....

Ft4 is 79% through range

Ft3 is 57% through range

Previous post shows your vitamin levels are pretty good

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Your TPO antibodies confirms autoimmune thyroid disease (hashimoto’s)

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

Or tried it?

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist 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

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

[DaddyCool2001]

Thanks everyone. I’m more or less gluten ‘avoidant’ and bake my own sourdough bread which I tolerate.

My Vits in November last year were;

Vitamin B12: 506ng/L [187-883]

Folate: 12.9ug/L [2.7-15.0]

Vitamin D: 86nmol/L [50-120]

Ferritin: 107ug/L [23-300]

So if I shouldn’t increase my Levo should I introduce the Tiromel I got from Turkey last year?

Thanks again.

Rob

[McPammy]

I would not increase your Levo. I would get your vitamins checked. B12, Ferritin, Vit D and Folate.

Any of these not optimal, not just creeping in at the bottom of the range, can effect your energy and well being. I always get my vitamins checked now along with TSH, T4, T3 and cortisol. Luckily I have a very understanding NHS GP. He openly admitted that he hardly knew anything about the thyroid and only went on TSH readings. He said that I have helped him understand a whole lot more and I have done all my learning on this brilliant forum and my private only Endocrinologist.

[DaddyCool2001 in reply to McPammy]

Thanks McPammy. I had my Vits checked in November last year. Please see comment above.