Fuming with Endo

[DaddyCool2001]

Results

November 2019

TSH: 1.46mU/L [0.35-3.50]

FT4: 12pmol/L [8-21]

FT3: 4.4pmol/L [3.8-6.0]

Testosterone: 4.2nmol/L [8.6-29.0]

February 2020

TSH: 0.07mU/L [0.35-3.50]

FT4: 13pmol/L [8-21]

FT3: 5.0pmol/L [3.8-6.0]

Testosterone: 5.2nmol/L [8.6-29.0]

July 2020

TSH: 0.21mIU/L [0.27-4.20]

FT4: 10.6pmoI/L [12.0-22.0]

FT3: 4.66pmoI/L [3.1-6.8]

Testosterone: 5.23nmoI/L [8.64-29]

Thyroid Medication

Levothyroxine 75mcg

Liothyronine 25mcg

Endo has just discharged me! She refused to treat my testosterone saying I just needed to lose weight so I saw a private doctor who took my July bloods and can’t believe I’m still functioning. He has agreed to treat my testosterone. He asked if I would like him to treat my thyroid too, but I said I would stick with the NHS for financial reasons. He said I should request an increase to my Levo from the Endo to 100mcg.

I explained the above to my Endo, requested an increase of Levo and sent a copy of my bloods. I received a letter this morning saying “based on the results attached I do not feel that this is necessary [levo increase] As there is no further endocrine input necessary from my side I have taken the liberty of discharging you from my care”.

I’m lost for words!

I guess I have 3 options; do nothing and never feel optimal. Try to persuade my GP to increase my Levo or pay the private doctor😣

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ask your GP for 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine

Point out Ft4 is below range

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine?

When were vitamin levels last tested?

[DaddyCool2001 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragon. I’ll approach my GP but she is the one who referred me to the Endo because I was asking for an increase when I was on 50mcg. The Endo completed these in November last year,

Vitamin B12: 506ng/L [187-883]

Folate: 12.9ug/L [2.7-15.0]

Vitamin D: 86nmol/L [50-120]

Ferritin: 107ug/L [23-300]

She told me to stop taking vit D, but I decided to continue.

I just feel like she looked at the TSH instead of my symptoms 😣

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to DaddyCool2001]

Which is typical and incorrect

Ask GP first ...but if she refuses you’ll have to either try increase yourself or get new endocrinologist

[DJR1 in reply to DaddyCool2001]

My advice as someone who manages my son’s pituitary failure is just treat one thing at a time. The testosterone level is far too low. My son had similar levels and testosterone treatment resulted in a huge improvement in his energy levels and general health. Unfortunately changes were made to his Levothyroxine and Human Growth Hormone at the same time so side effects and other problems were difficult to assess and there was a lot of messing about. Eventually it was clear that the testosterone dose was the most important and everything else was adjusted around that. I hope you feel better soon

[Hidden]

Some are great some clearly wish we’d sod off and stop annoying them. Really sorry you had that experience I just can’t fathom the scepticism about hypothyroid patients saying they don’t feel well from some endocrinologists. Maybe it’s because they are struggling in overcrowded clinics needing to focus on diabetes and the books say we just get better. Private might be the only option, which is sad.

Ps with a T4 at that level I’d be really unwell.

[Wired123]

Your T4 is far too low. Testosterone is also very low.

If it were me I’d fix the T4 first and then see if you still need Testosterone as weight loss could fix this - for that you need an appropriate level of T4 in your body.

Your Vit D is OK but not optimal, so keep supplementing esp as we are heading into winter.

If your GP isn’t helping, it’s easy to change GP and get your Levothyroxine increased.