Levothyroxine / HRT

[Dobby]

Hi I have been taking 100mg of Levothyroxine for many years. My recent blood test results were:- TSH 0.02 (0.27 - 4.20) (This is normal TSH level for me) Serum free T4 18.3 (10.8-25.50) Serum free T3 4.7 (3.10-6.80) I was put on HRT July 2018, I took it for 6 months then stopped it because I put on a lot of weight, along my breast became very tender and had gone up three cup sizes, I also felt extremely bloated. I did start taking it again in October 2019, and by January 2020 (before lockdown) I had put on a stone in weight and the other symptoms have come back (bloating/breast increased in size) The only reason I went back on it was because I have Osteoporosis. My diet is extremely good and any normal person who would be on my diet would loose a shed load in weight! Would anyone know would the HRT be causing my thyroid a problem and so causing my body to react in this way? I would like to stop taking the HRT but I am a little concerned that the onset of menopause puts you at more risk when it comes to Osteoporosis. Many thanks for any help or advice. x

[Lora7again]

I am 60 and have never taken HRT because my mother died of breast cancer. I am not an expert but I thought you are more at risk if you have an early menopause but I might be wrong. I went through the meno at 55 and it was ok and I have found thyroid disease more challenging to be perfectly honest. I do know that some women do need HRT because of symptoms etc. I try to keep fit and active and eat a good diet and I do intend to ask my GP about this as I get older. Hopefully someone who takes HRT with Levothyroxine will be able to advise you better than I can. Sorry I missed the part that you already have osteoporosis. I think my elderly aunt was given calcium because she had began to show signs of it when she was in her late 70s.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you regularly test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking?

HRT frequently results in needing higher dose of levothyroxine

Most recent results above Ft3 was pretty low

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Do you have Hashimoto’s?

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

Currently 25% off today

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

[Dobby in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for your reply. I have had my Vitamin D tested recently and that was fine. I doubt my GP wouldn't increase my dose as far as they are concerned I am already taking more than I should as the blood test lab results show 'abnormal' I take a lot of supplements include Vit D, Selenium, calcium, magnesium, evening primrose oil, vit c and a few others. I have tried so many different combination its crazy. Someone mentioned I could try taking Metavine instead of levothyroxine but I wouldn't know how much to take! I wonder if I should just stop the HRT?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Dobby]

So what are your recent results of vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12?

Do you supplement magnesium or vitamin K2 mk7?

[Dobby in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi I take Biocare Magnesium powder and Vitabay Vitamin D3 + K2 .

My Vitamin D results were 93 (range 50-174) The others I haven't had tested since 2018.

I know you mentioned last time my Ft3 was low, even as if it was in range? I doubt my GP would say any different!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Dobby]

Most people on levothyroxine need Ft4 at least 70% through range and Ft3 at least over 50% through range...often higher

Ft4 18.3 (10.7-25.5)

Is only 51.2% through range

Ft3 4.7 (3.1-6.8)

Is only 43% through range

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

Obviously these are likely worse on HRT

[Dobby in reply to SlowDragon]

I wonder how I approach this with my GP!? I wonder if I should ask to increase thyroxine to 125mg or stop taking the HRT? or change to a NDT? Trouble is I did take NDT but got difficult to source and was a little reluctant to try the ones from Thailand. Such a minefield! x

[Batty1]

Hi Scrumbler, I have read about needing more thyroid meds if your on HRT in so many medical articles and publications but every Endo I have seen never agrees with these medical publications or articles. I often wonder why doctors ignore science when it comes to women's health. It's maddening.

[Dobby]

It is so sad we have this battle. I cannot understand why GP and or Endo's don't look deeper into this issue and question why there are so many suffering still!

[Dobby]

Only thing is the GP I have to see is a female but is not a sympathetic lady, just wants to stick to the NICE guidelines.