Poor Convertor

[Lassithi]

I have hashis, poor convertor, from recent advice: T4 just over 50% through range and T3 17%. TSH suppressed at 0.73. Prescribed 100 levo. Phone appt with endo last month, he disagrees with poor conversion says bloods fine no problems no further action. I asked why symptoms have continued and then sent for Cushings testing. Dex test came back ‘surpressed enough’, and rules out cushings, signed off and referred back to GP (who took 2 years to diagnose in the first place). Complained to med sec, explaining poor conversion and asked for cortisol blood results, said would send, now received letter saying nothing wrong with thyroid and no cortisol results included just states had ‘surpressed enough’ to rule out cushings although also states now sending me for further cortisol testing to explore further.

Very confused. I am asking for help with thyroid and he seems intent to prove I don’t have Cushings which I hadn’t even thought of until explained my symptoms to him. (Sorry for long post- welcome your comments).

Have recently upped dose myself to 125 and feeling better, much more so at first although levelling off now as all of my previous increases have which also confuses me. Initial relief of symptoms and high then gradual levelling.

[Lalatoot]

Levelling off after increase is normal once the body has adapted to the extra hormones. If symptoms return after the levelling of it means that your dose is still not right for you.

[Lassithi in reply to Lalatoot]

That makes perfect sense, the response to each increase is initially very pronounced before slowing although symptoms do alleviate to some degree each time although do still then persist- I am going to slowly increase my meds myself over time and try to find correct dose. The initial ‘happy high’ is lovely though as it reminds me of how I used to feel normally’.

So grateful for this site and have recommended it to others. Thank you 😊

[Lalatoot in reply to Lassithi]

The thing is that if you are a poor convertor then you will not get symptom free on levo alone.

Before considering other options are your B12, ferritin, folate and vitamin D levels well over half way in their ranges? This is necessary for the body to use levo efficiently and might be all you are needing.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Previous post with results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Never came back to question about folate or ferritin results?

So are you working on improving vitamin levels and had coeliac blood test before trying absolutely strictly gluten free diet?

Recommend getting FULL thyroid and vitamin testing in 6-8 weeks after recent dose increase and see how vitamins are improving

Strictly gluten free diet often significantly improves symptoms

[Lassithi in reply to SlowDragon]

Sorry-still waiting for results as they have disappeared from records and surgery too busy to resolve currently (totally understand at present time).

Have commenced strict gluten free diet cutting out wheat entirely and switching lactose products as much as possible.

Helped to alleviate bloating and puffiness although no real results yet as only been approx 8 weeks. Due to lockdown have been cutting out some products completely, bread and pasta etc.

Will request test for Celiacs after lockdown. I eat very little wheat products tbh as they have never really agreed with me. Am on lansoprazole for acid reflux/ indigestion.

[Lassithi in reply to Lassithi]

Prompted me to look on line and they have uploaded-results:

Folate: 11

range (3,9-19.8)

Ferritin: 114

range (12-300)

Both state normal as were Vit d and b, have switched previous supplements to those recommended and commenced gluten free.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lassithi]

Lansoprazole, like omeprazole or any PPI is for high stomach acid

Most people when hypothyroid have low stomach acid

Thousands of posts on here about low stomach acid

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Links about low stomach acid and Hashimoto’s

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

healthygut.com/articles/3-t...

naturalendocrinesolutions.c...

Ppi tend to lower vitamin levels further

pulsetoday.co.uk/clinical/m...

gov.uk/drug-safety-update/p...

[Lassithi in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you-I have been thinking for some time that I need to try coming off lansoprazole and will trial it from next week-happy to try anything and everything to feel well again.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lassithi]

Often improving vitamins and gluten free diet is enough

If not any people find Apple cider vinegar before meals is helpful

Or Betaine HCL ....or slippery elm