Recent Bloods Help

[yolobrass]

Hello,

I’m hypo after Graves’ disease (2003) currently taking 150mg Levo the last few years.

My June 2020 bloods results below ( pic).

I was feeling very tired and weight gain after complaining to GP he then referred to an Endo who was really understanding and did the relevant bloods to tick others things off.

Results

July 2020 blood at 8:15am ( Levo taken 24 hours before)

- TSH - 0.14 ( no ranges on letter)

- T4 16.0 ( no range on letter)

- Cortisol- 433 nmol ( no range on letter)

- Full blood and Kidney/ Liver normal

- Autoanibody tests show a positive gastric parietal cell autotibody, which is a low

Test specificity test. Pleased to see that more specific intrinsic factor antibody was negative.

- normal B12

- ANA antibody tissue transglutaminase - negative.

The Endo has recommended I take Levo monday - Friday 150mg and Saturday and Sunday 100mg.

None of the above explain my weight gain nor how I feel.

How will lowering my Levo make me feel better and help with weight loss?

Any advice I would be grateful.

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As per previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Vitamin D and B12 both far too low

Have you been supplementing to improve

Ft3 likely too low

Reducing levothyroxine very slightly might increase conversion of Ft4 to Ft3.....but it may just reduce Ft3 as well....in that case you will need addition of small doses of T3 prescribed alongside levothyroxine

Are you vegetarian or vegan

As you have Graves’ disease are you on strictly gluten free diet or tried it?

[yolobrass in reply to SlowDragon]

Hello

I’m currently supplementing :

Magnisum

B12

Vit D

Selenium

( feel a bit better in my energy levels)

Currently trying a low gluten and dairy diet. Haven’t seen much difference at all. I’m still really bloated. Thinking I should try an AIP diet.

I was feeling a bit nervous to lower my thyroxine, i don’t understand how lowering my dose will help and weight loss..

T3 wasn’t even mentioned, it’s like the word that shouldn’t be mentioned as the answer is always no!

[greygoose]

How will lowering my Levo make me feel better and help with weight loss?

It won't. It will probably make you put more on because your conversion isn't brilliant, but if you lower your levo, your FT3 will drop, too. But, your endo is only looking at your low TSH. That's all he knows about. He doesn't understan FT4/3 levels, and he doesn't care. And he doesn't care how you feel. All that interests him is getting the TSH back up into range. Endos are one huge waste of time and space.

[yolobrass in reply to greygoose]

Thanks Greygoose.

I’m really confused, shall I just stay on my current dosage?

Having a slightly low thyroxine in my blood wouldn’t that also mean a better conversion too? From what I’ve just read.....

[greygoose in reply to yolobrass]

What have you just read? Are you referring to rT3? I don't think your FT4 is high enough for that.

[yolobrass in reply to greygoose]

My last T4 was 19.4 and now it’s 16.0

I’ve googled low TSH and as slow dragon said it may help my symptoms. Might help my conversion or make it worse as you say.

[greygoose in reply to yolobrass]

My last T4 was 19.4 and now it’s 16.0

OK, but are you sure it's the same range? If not, you cannot compare the two results unelss you work out the percentages.

But, let's assume that the range is the same.

If you reduce your levo , your TSH may well rise (or, given that you had Grave's, it may not).

But, your FT4 is going to drop.

It is already below mid-range, so even if the higher TSH improves your conversion to perfect, it's never going to give you enough T3 to make you well.

You cannot convert to more T3 than you have T4, if you see what I mean. So, that really is not going to help.

That's a bit like saying, I'm going to make some bread but I haven't got enough flour, but if I reduce the amount of flour I use and turn the oven up higher, it will give me a larger loaf. It won't. It will just give you a small burnt loaf. You see what I mean?

[yolobrass in reply to greygoose]

That’s totally makes sense now- thank you I’ve really taken your points on board and have requested the Endo calls me to explain her findings and provide me with the ranges so that I can compare.

I really appreciate you and slow dragon taking time out to help me..

[greygoose in reply to yolobrass]

You're welcome.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to yolobrass]

Suggest you email Dionne at Thyroid UK for list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists who will prescribe T3 ....NHS and Private

[e-mail]

Meanwhile you could try reducing levothyroxine as outlined ....retest FULL thyroid and vitamin levels in 6 weeks .....making sure to get bloods tested as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24+hours before test

if Ft3 has dropped then go see decent endocrinologist and get prescription for T3 alongside levothyroxine

[yolobrass]

Thank you