I wonder if anyone can shed some light here. I have a low grade autoimmune thyroditis, have tried Levo, but quit as it made me worse. I haven't had much luck with NDT either. My last results are very strange, pic attached.
I always had high TSH, prior to this it was 15, my autoimmune antibodies were 25, low T3 and T4.
Since January i went plant based and gluten free. Is my thyroid healing itself? I see antobodies have come down a lot as well.
GP has writren to Endo now.
TIA
Sorry, no, your thyroid is not - and cannot - healing itself. Antibodies fluctuate all the time, so the actual level is irrelevant.
Why do you say 'low-grade' autoimmune thyroiditis? There's no such thing. You either have it or you don't. And once you have it, you have it for life.
Your results look as if you're having, or are coming down from, a Hashi's 'hyper' swing. Your Frees are high-ish, but so is your TSH. But, remember, TSH levels don't move as fast as Free levels. With Hashi's, the TSH is usually slightly behind. One of the reasons it's such a bad indicator of thyroid status.
How much levo and NDT did you take, when you were taking it?
Since January i went plant based and gluten free.
If you're not eating meat, you need to keep a strict eye on your B12 and ferritin levels. They are likely to be low, anyway, as you have Hashi's. And, they need to be optimal for the body to be able to use thyroid hormone efficiently. You also need to test vit D and folate.
Thanks
Low grade autoimmune thyroiditis - that is what was diagnosed.
I just read somewhere that going gluten free improves antibodies levels ?
The doses I have had were up to 2 1/2 NDT, my TSH was low on that but T3 and T4 were high - I was clinically hyper, but did not see any improvements as I was increasing.
With Levo I tried a small initial dose of 25, perhaps I could have given it longer, but I felt worse that without meds, so I quit!
I just read somewhere that going gluten free improves antibodies levels ?
Well, it may or it may not. It's never been proved to my satisfaction. But, even if it got rid of them completely, that wouldn't have any effect on your Hashi's, it would still be there, and continue to destroy your thyroid.
The thing with gluten-free is that a lot of Hashi's people are gluten-sensitive, so cutting out the gluten improves their symptoms.
The doses I have had were up to 2 1/2 NDT, my TSH was low on that but T3 and T4 were high - I was clinically hyper, but did not see any improvements as I was increasing.
How low was your TSH - although that really doesn't matter at all on NDT - and how high were your T4/T3? You weren't 'hyper' at all, because that's physically impossible when you're hypo. But, you could have been over-medicated - depends on your actual levels - or you could have been having a Hashi's 'hyper' swing.
How fast did you increase your dose? Maybe you missed your sweet-spot.
With Levo I tried a small initial dose of 25, perhaps I could have given it longer, but I felt worse that without meds, so I quit!
Not really surprising if you felt worse, because 25 mcg is enough to stop your thyroid's hormone production, but not enough to replace it. So, effectively, you end up on less hormone than you started with. Unless you are very young or very old or have a heart condition, the starter dose is 50 mcg, to be increased by 25 mcg every six weeks until you feel well. And, calling it 'low grade' doesn't change anything because thyroid hormone replacement doesn't top up your hormone level, it stops your thyroid producing hormone, so that you are reliant entirely on the exogenous dose you're taking. Something that doctors just can't understand. So, you still need to start on 50 mcg.
Thank you ! It was a long time ago with NDT now, but I wold not be able to get now anyway.
As it goes for Levo, I have tried several times but quit each time, just can't get over it!
So, what's the highest dose you've been on with levo? What can't you get over? What exactly happens when you take it? What's the longest time you've tried?
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 regularly
Medichecks - JUST vitamin testing including folate - DIY finger prick test
medichecks.com/products/nut...
Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays
As you are vegan presumably you are supplementing B12?
And regularly testing iron and ferritin levels?
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...
endocrinenews.endocrine.org...
Low B12 symptoms
b12deficiency.info/signs-an...
academic.oup.com/nutritionr...
The present review of the literature regarding B12 status among vegetarians shows that the rates of B12 depletion and deficiency are high. It is, therefore, recommended that health professionals alert vegetarians about the risk of developing subnormal B12 status. Vegetarians should also take preventive measures to ensure adequate intake of this vitamin, including the regular intake of B12 supplements to prevent deficiency. Considering the low absorption rate of B12 from supplements, a dose of at least 250 μg should be ingested for the best results.3
Standard starter dose of levothyroxine is 50mcg and dose is increased slowly upwards in 25mcg steps until on full replacement dose, typically that is 1.6mcg levothyroxine per kilo of your weight
Suggest you start again on 50mcg levothyroxine
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase
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)
Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.
Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.
Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.
Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Teva contains mannitol as a filler, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet. So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half
Teva and Aristo are the only lactose free tablets
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Teva poll
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...
Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).
Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime
verywellhealth.com/best-tim...
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap. Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away
(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)
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