I saw ENT today due to problems swallowing, but they were more concerned about my now overactive thyroid due to my suppressed TSH according to my last blood tests in Sept 2020:
TSH: 0.01 (0.27-4.2)
Free T3: 4.99 (3.1-6.8)
Free T4: 11.9 (12-22)
TgAb: 233 (<115)
TPO: 17.8 (<34)
I just wasn’t prepared to get into a debate about how TSH isn’t a true reflection of thyroid levels as I was waiting for the camera to go down my nose into my throat! They agreed that my initial thyroid tests showing low TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 were strange but they wouldn’t advise taking Liothyronine. Then a conversation about the dangers of low TSH and being hyperthyroid.
When they got around to doing the test and looking down my throat, they quickly said I had silent reflux, gave me a leaflet and suggested taking Gavison Advance . They’re going to write to my GP to advise that I’m overmedicated (currently on 75mg Levothyroxine and 25mg Liothyronine). I’m so bored of going around in circles and fighting with GPs and Consultants that I’m actually considering taking their advice so that maybe I can be taken seriously if/when I become ill, and maybe I’ll save myself time and money not paying to see private Endo’s to get private prescriptions, rant over!
Anyhoo, it would be good to hear people’s experience of dealing with silent reflux and treatments, thank you!
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ShonaGreen
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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)
on T3, make sure to take last third or quarter of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test
Is this how you do your tests?
If yes.......results show under medicated
Ft4 below range
Ft3 is only 50% through range
You likely need 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine
This would increase Ft4 and Ft3
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested
Acid reflux when hypothyroid is very often due to LOW stomach acid....not something many medics recognise or understand
Low stomach acid can be a common hypothyroid issue
Hi @SlowDragon, I’ll take a look at the info you provided, thank you.
Last blood tests done early am, fasting with 10-12 hours since last T3 (take 15mg in the morning and 10mg in the evening) and included:
Ferritin; 197 (13-150) it’s always just above range, I don’t take iron supplements
Vit B12 Active: >150 (>37.5)
Vit D: 80.30 (50-175)
I use the Better You sprays for Vit D and B12 and take Igennus Super B Complex. As well as thyroid meds, I also take 100mg Amitriptyline & 75mg Topiramate for chronic migraines (but still getting them) and 20mg Nifedipine for Reynauds (but still have very cold hands & feet). So I feel like I’m on a lot of meds to still not be feeling great, and to add in more for the silent reflux too, I almost wish I could start from scratch again 😐
I don't think you are over medicated on just 75mcg of Levothyroxine and 25mcg of Lio. The TSH is actually a pituitary gland hormone not a thyroid gland hormone and it is the T4 and T3 which really counts. Have you ever tried taking NDT? Just to add you cannot be over active if you are under active or hypothyroid.
Hi @Lora7again thanks for your message. I was surprised that he seemed so worried about my TSH when it’s just a consequence of taking T3, which he had added left the system so quick it was hard to know it’s effects. My GP is not very knowledgable about thyroid issues and I was just waiting for the right time to make another request for them to provide me with T3 on NHS, will have to wait a bit longer for that now! I tried NDT before T3 but it didn’t seem to make much difference, whilst T3 has helped.
But ever since I had my first thyroid blood test a few years ago it feels like I’ve just banged my head against so many brick walls, and there’s so many of us in the same boat too sadly 😞
I am afraid my GP is the same and just goes by the TSH which in my case means nothing. I wish the NHS would stop using it as guide for thyroid levels because they need to look at the T4 and T3. When you take T3 the TSH does go low or suppressed because the pituitary gland senses there is enough T3 in your system.
I had total thyroidectomy in 2019,struggling with thyroid medication been on T4, T3, T4 now back on T3 I have reflux and recently had the camera down the throat I'm glad to see nothing as changed and I've to keep taking my laprozole, my last thyroid bloods (T4) showed a suppressed TSH my T4 was 18.6 T3 in range but I felt awful I was the same on T4 the first time,, I put myself back on T3 after being duped by an endo who put me on the T4😠 like you I'm going round in circles with the medication 🙄 and have never felt well since being diagnosed it sucks its a shame you doctor who went off how you feel didn't educate his fellow GPS, endo and GPS go off blood work far to much and not how the patient actually feels its all wrong 😠😠
You are not hyper. Your thyroid hormones are too low not too high, and reflux is often caused by low stomach acid resulting from HYPOthyroidism. If anything you need a slight dose increase - I'd resist any dose reduction
God! Doesn't this condition drive you to drink? I was hyperthyroid with Graves Disease . Ended up with a total thyroidectomy and decompression surgery. My thyroxine intake started at 175 mg and I am now down to75mg. I started getting reflux and often would choke on nothing and I snore like a train. I was prescribed Omeprazole twice a day. It helps but doesn't seem to have cured the problem totally. Currently having full bloods done because I was over on 100mg. Tired, anxious, emotional and totally fed up. I feel your frustration.
Wow! Thanks for that. I really didn't think it was so complicated. I, innocent that I am, thought loosing my thyroid would end all my problems. Am currently lined up for full bloods and vitamins at end of November to see how the lower dose is reacting. I am still tired and sluggish. I was told to take Gaviscon in addition to the Omeprazole. Skin is also incredibly dry and nails splitting.
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if under medicated
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)
Is this how you do your tests?
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
This one does include Vit B12 & Serum Folate, Ferritin, Vit D. VITDP, 1 and HBA 1c. Whatever that all means as well as thyroid function. Does that cover it?
ShonaGreen I forgot I had replied to your previous thread and it shows just how much you have gone downhill since stopping T3. You really need to start taking it again in my honest opinion.
Oh for the love of god!! These posts drive me insane!! Obviously not you personally but the medical professionals who spout such nonsense!! Have they ever in the history of their careers met someone with hyperthyroidism! Jaysus H Christ you are NOT hyperthyroid, you are in fact still HYPOthyroid! Low FT3 shows this!
I am so sorry that you are being bounced from pillar to post when actually all you probably need is to have optimal Vits and minerals, and more thyroid medication 😞
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