I've been increasing my meds the last 9 months in the hope that I will feel better. It has not worked!! That may be down to the fact that I went down with shingle on Christmas eve and still have nerve pain, so sleeping is difficult. I had an extreme allergic reaction to Naproxen, followed by an allergic reaction to co codomol and then an allergic reaction after 2 tablets to gabapentin. My holiday in the states, which was intended to help me over shingles was a disaster - had to stop co codomol two days in, so had lots of pain and withdrawal symptoms from co codomol - extreme tiredness and muscle aches as well as the shingles nerve pain. We could not do anything. Flight home was a nightmare - very turbulent the whole way and my really painful back kept rubbing and being bounced against the seat back. As soon as we landed, I rushed to the loo to remove my bra!!
Both blood draws were done in accordance with the recommendations on this site.
30/12/19 taking 125mcg levo and 65mcg lio : Free T4 16.5 ( 11 - 23 )
Free T3 8.49 ( 3.1 - 6.8 ) TSH has been suppressed for years.
9/3/20 reduced to 100mcg levo and 65mcg lio: Free T4 16.4 / Free T3 8.82 same ranges. I realise this is too high. The problem is that when I reduced levo from 125mcg to 100mcg it pushed T3 up from 8.49 to 8.82 with only a marginal decrease in free T4. I'd been on the lower dose for 9 weeks prior to the blood draw. I'm not sure that reducing levo by 25mcg again will actually cause a drop in T3. What should I do?
I found the small increase of lio from 60 to 65mcg a day has really helped with my tiredness but not with anything else, so I am reluctant to reduce T3.
I saw a consultant privately yesterday. I traveled 280 mile round trip! He doesn't think my problems are thyroid. He did not say what they are due to. When I asked him, he told me he did not know!! Was very stuck on my being depressed although I argued with this repeatedly. Confirmed I have hashi s - ofcourse I have, It's the most common thyroid problem! I asked if I could try lio only. Delighted when he told me it was a good idea, adding it's positive, it's doing something and it works for a lot of people, although not every one. I asked for advice on how to make the switch. He said to, " reduce by 0.1 every two weeks until levo stopped and then reduce lio by 5mcg." I have no idea what he meant by 0.1. I pointed out that that would mean that I am back to 60mcg of lio only and no levo. I said that is not doable and I'd be below range. I also pointed out that every two weeks was far too rapid. I showed him some previous results when I was on 100mcg levo /60mcg lio when I was below half way on levo and 67% on lio. He replied that ranges are there for a reason and you only need to be just in the range.My TSH would raise when down to that level. I was beyond speechless!!
He's told me to return to my gp and arrange a celiac test - done 2 years ago and negative, A urine sugar test repeated on three separate mornings, and a thyroid anti body test. He also complained that he had not been given my last bone density test results. I'm to get those to him. Another thorny subject. My last result was down slightly more than expected on one of three tests. Previous doctor reckons it's because I'm over medicated, I reckon it's due to inactivity due to ill health.
What really upset me was that his on line bio showed him to be a thyroid specialist. He told us he was NOT a thyroid specialist, the endocrine system is his speciality. If it had said that on line we would not have gone. Oh, and he arrived 45 minutes late for our appointment!! I may be cynical but I think the reason his bio was misleading was he knows he can charge more as a thyroid specialist than as an endocrine specialist due to supply and demand. That's £250 instead of £130 - 140 each patient.
He wants to phone me in 6 weeks when the results are back - another £180.
I have no choice now but to go it alone. I'll have the tests done that he's asked for. The anti body one might actually be useful. I really can't see how any thing else can cause the huge array of symptoms that I have. Does any one know if anything else can cause so many hypo symptoms? My biggest concern is severe muscle weakness. i've used an excersise bike six days a week for almost thirty years. 6 months ago, I had to stop - I don't have the strength to push the pedals on the lowest resistence for even 10 minutes. I also can't stand. Walking is not a major issue, although I do get tired quickly but just standing makes me really ache and incredibly tired. I sit down for half an hour, recover and can stand again. I thought this meant I had a severe T3 shortage. Has anyone any ideas?
Sorry this has been long. I really needed to vent!!!
eventful consultants visit.
Help with results please
Hello and results help please!
Help with results please?
Results and action plan help, please?
