I had a Medicheck thyroid test as my GP says I'm well within range on my TSH 1.29 (0.3 - 4.2), the only test he ordered to check if 100mg of Levo was right for me. I had asked for FT4 and FT3 but they weren't done, surprise.
My Medicheck results are
TSH 0.805 (0.27 - 4.2)
FT4 19 (12 - 22). 73% through range.
FT3 4.5 (3.1 - 6.8). 37% through range.
TPA 349 (LESS THAN 34)
TGA 287 (LESS THAN 115)
I've gradually been feeling more tired, sick, aching feet, arms and buttocks, don't want to do things etc. This comes after a couple of weeks of feeling much better when I went on 100mg. I don't feel anywhere near as bad as I did at the beginning of all this but I do feel like I'm going down hill slowly and would like to stop the slide!
I have ordered a test from Monitor my Health, the NHS lab, so that my Doc won't be able to reject the results out of hand. If these show similar results would it be correct to say that I'm a poor converter when I speak to him?
Thank you in anticipation of all your wonderful advice.
👍🤓
Written by
Sarfran
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The range has been created from a sample of normal people. I would be considered normal if my FT3 was 3.1 and I would be considered normal if my FT3 was 6.8. I do not feel normal and am still symptomatic with a FT3 of 4.5. I want to be the optimal 'normal ' for me.
In a normal person FT4 is usually just slightly ahead in its range from FT3. This where they are balanced. My FT3 and FT4 are not balanced. Ft3 is lagging way behind FT4 and this imbalance is causing me to feel unwell.
Hashimoto's frequently affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
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
The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported
In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned
Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.
I'm so sorry that I didn't reply earlier, I missed your post!
I have had Coeliacs test which was negative but I have gone gluten free anyway as many on here advise.
I'm fine for B12 and supplementing D3/K2 3800iu which has brought my D3 level up to 62.2nmol/l. Folate and ferratin are fine.
My Doc has said that if my NHS test comes back with T3 lagging behind T4 then he will refer me for a private endo appointment and that he can then prescribe T3 if the endo Okays it. I did ask him to make sure that the endo is Thyroid savvy!
I had a second test, under the same conditions, for FT4 and FT3 from Monitor my Health (NHS LAB) which came up with
TSH 0.68 (0.27 - 4.2)
FT3 4.6 (3.1 - 6.8) 40% through range
FT4 17.2 (12 - 22) 47% through range.
Consequently my GP won't refer me for poor conversion. He is happy with levels as they are. He says he is worried that if I have more medication I will 'go the other way'.
I insisted on trying an extra 25 levo every 3 days but I'm not sure whether it is helping as I'm having trouble sleeping. I'm thinking of getting a pill cutter and taking 12.5 every 2 days.
I just want to be be well enough to get a job, if that is possible in these times!
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Am I not converting very well?
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Poor converter hoping for better
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