Hi, I have been on Levo for several
Years now. Earlier this year I started suffering bad again with Fatigue and Depression again. A couple of weeks ago I stopped taking my Levo for 2 weeks and started to feel better , have started them again and beginning to feel worse - is this normal. I have also gained weight this year and yet I am
Eating less . Feeling so fed up
Here are my results
Yes, that sounds pretty normal. It also sounds as if you're under-medicated. When did you last have a blood test?
In June and told all normal , they also checked by B12
Never accept your doctor's opinion. Get the actual numbers - results and ranges - and decide for yourself. Doctors know so little about thyroid.
When a doctor says 'normal', all he means is 'in-range'. But, just because a result is in-range, doesn't automatically mean it's good. The ranges are too wide. Also, you need to know exactly what he tested, because he probably didn't do all the right tests - they rarely do. And, if you feel bad, then obviously something is not 'normal' for you.
So, ring reception and ask for a print-out of your results to be sent to your, or emailed, or maybe you can pick them up? The law says you are entitled to them, so they can't say no. Then, post them on here, with the ranges, and let's have a look. 
Thank you I will do that now x
You're welcome.
I have now added the results Thx 😀
OK, so as I suspected, you are under-medicated. Your FT4 is too low, and your FT3 is right down on the bottom line of the range. And, that is far from normal !
However, I suspect that your doctor is only looking at the TSH, which is good, but doesn't give us any useful information. He probably doesn't understand the actual thyroid hormone levels, and doen't know how to interpret thyriod labs.
So, you need an increase of 25 mcg levo, and another test in six weeks.
I'm glad you've posted and it was good to read your past history. Usually a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia could be due to a low Free T3 (according to one of TUK's past Advisers (now deceased due to an accident but I'll give you a link of Dr John Lowe.
Your doctor - I doubt will check all of the following - but you can get a private home blood test and I'll give a link of the labs that do them. Make sure, if you decide, that you are well-hydrated a couple of days before.
All blood tests have to be at the earliest for the blood draw, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levo and test and take afterwards.
Request: TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.
I'm sorry you are becoming symptomatic again.
Yes, it can be 'normal' to feel better when you s top levo and then become worse when you start again.
Also, unexplained weight gain can be due to hypothyroidism as our metabolism is lowered but I think you'd benefit from a T3/T4 combination. I doubt that your GP will prescribe T3 but there's no harm in requesting.
You should also ask GP to test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. Everything has to be 'optimal'.
Doctors rarely test FT4 and FT3 but they are very important.
Ask also for B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. If your B12 is low, ask to check to exclude Pernicious Anaemia.
Many professionals seem to believe that once our TSH is 'somewhere' in the range that we're on a sufficient dose.
The aim is a TSH of 1 or lower and Free T4 and Free T3 should be in the upper part of the ranges.
Many doctors also seem to believe that if the TSH is 'in range' that we're on a sufficient dose of levo, but we need a TSH of 1 or lower plus optimum Frees.
The following link is by a scientist/doctor who was also an Adviser to Thyroiduk. Unfortunately he had an accident and died.
Thank you. I have just requested a list of my last blood tests with results to be emailed to me. I will post them when I get them and In the meantime I will have a read of the link
You sent me x
I n have got my results emailed how do I add them
I have added them on a new post
To edit anything in your posts you press the down arrow next to 'More' and select the selection you want and (edit) to add in things Always remember to also add in the ranges after the results. Ranges are important as labs differ in their machines and ranges may also be different..
Tillytums
TSH: 0.92 (0.34-5.6)
FT4: 10.6 (7.9-20 - assuming you're not pregnant)
FT3: 4.5 (4-6.6)
These results are from May.
You need current results, especially as you stopped your Levo a couple of weeks ago for 2 weeks then restarted.
How much Levo are you taking?
I’m on 100 per day . I had a hysterectomy 23 years ago. I am now 53 x
Tillytums
But as I said, these results are from May, you stopped Levo a couple of weeks ago for 2 weeks then restarted.
How long have you been back on Levo?
You need new results, not results from May.
Going to phone DRs in the morning and get re tested . I have been back on for 5 days but feel awful again
Tillytums
If you've been off Levo for 2 weeks, and only back on for 5 days, you need to give it a bit longer before testing.
Ok will wait a couple of weeks , thank you 😊
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
Hashimoto’s may be linked to endometriosis
Ask GP to test vitamin levels
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?
When were vitamin levels last tested?
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
guidelines by weight might help push for dose increase in levothyroxine
Even if we don’t start on full replacement dose, most people need to increase dose slowly upwards in 25mcg steps (retesting 6-8 weeks after each increase) until on full replacement dose
NICE guidelines on full replacement dose
nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145/...
1.3.6
Consider starting levothyroxine at a dosage of 1.6 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (rounded to the nearest 25 micrograms) for adults under 65 with primary hypothyroidism and no history of cardiovascular disease.
I will ring my doctors in the morning . They did test my Vit B12 and said it was normal. I also have Fibromyalgia and take pain meds. I have started to take Turmeric daily and B12 myself to see if that helps x
ALWAYS get actual results and ranges on all tests
A doctor would say B12 is fine anywhere within range. The range on B12 is vast, typically 210-680. On levothyroxine we need optimal vitamin levels, with serum B12 that’s is frequently over 500
Fibromyalgia is a dustbin diagnosis. Frequently linked to being undiagnosed or under treated for hypothyroidism, especially with Hashimoto’s
Low vitamins are extremely common
Low vitamins lead to poor conversion of Ft4 to Ft3.....resulting in low Ft3
Few links about fibromyalgia
healthrising.org/blog/2019/...
thyroiduk.org/tuk/research/...
stopthethyroidmadness.com/f...
prohealth.com/library/new-t...
chriskresser.com/low-t3-syn...
holtorfmed.com/download/chr...
There’s zero point testing thyroid levels until been on constant unchanging dose of levothyroxine for 6-8 weeks
Levothyroxine needs time to settle.
You could get vitamin levels tested now
Also I had endrometriosis that is why I had to have a hysterectomy at 30
Hi, I have just had my results back and would like to check them before I speak with my GP although the receptionist said they are normal . Thank you 😊
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