1st appt with Endo next week

[HDub]

After 20 years of being on levothyroxine and not actually feeling better I'm finally seeing an endo this week.

My numbers all fall well in range when I have blood tests done, and I currently take 200mcg a day.

Since being diagnosed 20 years ago I have put an additional 4st on, I have sparse eyebrows, scaly skin, brain fog and persistent fatigue.

I was considering asking if I could try t3... To see if I feel better but I understand this is contentious...

So do people have ideas of how I can present this request, or whether there are other blood tests I should be asking for. I really don't want to be fobbed off as this might be my one shot at seeing a specialist in this area.

Thanks in advance 🙂

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

HDub

Looking at your profile, your last post a year ago said you were having your 1st appointment with an endo

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

What happened?

SlowDragon listed all the tests needed for full evaluation of thyroid and vitamins in reply to your previous post, did you have all those tests done

My numbers all fall well in range when I have blood tests done, and I currently take 200mcg a day.

Please post these results, with their very important reference ranges, so we can give useful comments. Just because they fall within range doesn't mean that you are optimally medicated.

I was considering asking if I could try t3... To see if I feel better but I understand this is contentious...

Impossible to know if T3 would help until we see the full thyroid panel, FT3 being tested at the same time as TSH and FT4, and knowing whether or not your nutrient levels are a problem.

[HDub in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi thanks for your reply.

Postponed and postponed and postponed, and now actually seeing endo at a different hospital (that's unless it gets cancelled again!)

I have a good relationship with my GP, and I recall having quite a lot of blood results and posting them. The only one my GP was concerned about was my CPR level... That's normal now.

I take vit b supplements as I'm a strict veggie and I take vit d supplements too.

My diet is decent and varied.

I know 200mcgs is a fairly robust dose of thyroxine... I take it on an empty stomach.

I'm sick of feeling bleughh

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to HDub]

I have a good relationship with my GP, and I recall having quite a lot of blood results and posting them.

healthunlocked.com/user/hdub

All your posts are listed on your profile page linked to above. There doesn't seem to be a post with your results since SlowDragon replied to your last post a year ago saying

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies....

Add results and ranges here if you have them already. Or come back with new post once you get results and ranges....

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 ….

There's not much we can say to help you until we see current results, including reference ranges, for all those tests mentioned. You may take supplements, but until we see the actual results we don't know if your levels are optimal.

[shaws Administrator]

I wonder if you follow the recommendations to get the best result in your blood tests?

Do you get the very earliest appointment, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levothyroxine and the test and take it afterwards.

We should always get a print-out of our results and the ranges must also be stated and ranges are very important for members to comment upon your results.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

We ALWAYS recommend getting FULL thyroid and vitamin testing BEFORE seeing any endocrinologist ...otherwise first consultation is frequently a complete waste of time

Private tests mean

A) you will definitely get all relevant tests

B) you can control time of test .....important to test early morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test. Plus important to stop any supplements that contain biotin a week before any blood tests

C) Getting all four vitamins OPTIMAL before seeing endocrinologist recommended

D) essential to test BOTH TPO and TG antibodies

E) obviously essential to test Ft3

[shaws Administrator]

Just be truthful and ask Endo if he would consider adding T3 to a reduced T4 as you've always felt below par. You also understand that a number of Researchers have found that a combination of T3/T4 has improved the health of those who are hypothyroid.

karger.com/Article/Abstract...