Hypothyroid results

[dashi2208]

Hi, just got these results. I'm taking 100mg of Levothyroxine and 5mg of Liothyronine. Any comments would be welcome . . thanks in advance.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

On almost any dose of T3 TSH is almost ALWAYS suppressed

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)

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last 2.5mcg 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?

High thyroid antibodies confirms autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s

Presumably you knew you have autoimmune thyroid disease?

EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, with Hashimoto’s

When were vitamins last tested and what vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ft4 is only 49.7% through range Ft3 is 64% through range

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine

Presumably you see an endocrinologist?

How do you feel?

[dashi2208 in reply to SlowDragon]

I've always taken Accord. I don't feel great actually and have not for years. This is the first antibody test that I've had so now I know I have Hashimoto's . . which is news! Is there anything that might help with Hashimoto's? I've been reading about diet. I had a bunch of tests on the 10th Nov including all vits . . I posted them here at the time . . . they were pretty much normal.

[dashi2208 in reply to dashi2208]

I don't see and Endo. . . should I? Ft4 is only 49.7% through range Ft3 is 64% through range . . . what does this mean and what can I do about it please?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dashi2208]

Just replied on previous post

Can you clarify

In last post, 17 days ago you said you were taking 75mcg

This post you say taking 100mcg

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

[dashi2208 in reply to SlowDragon]

I had the second test because you advised FT3 and Antibodies should be tested. As you can see my T4 and TSH are pretty much the same . . . consistent with not being 6-8 weeks interval. I increased the Levothyroxine to try to get it higher in range. I've asked to be referred to an Endo. I don't know what Ft4 is only 49.7% through range Ft3 is 64% through range means in terms of good, bad, increase, decrease meds?? This is why i feel hit and miss re: dosages?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dashi2208]

It takes minimum of 6 weeks for TSH and rest of endocrine system (adrenals etc) to catch up with dose increase

But stick on 100mcg

Retesting in another 6-8 weeks

Are you always getting same brand of levothyroxine at each prescription?

Meanwhile presumably you are improving low vitamin levels

are you now supplementing vitamin B complex?

If yes ....

Did you remember to stop taking this a week before recent blood test

Any supplements that contain biotin must be stopped a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dashi2208]

Who currently prescribes your T3 if you don’t have an endocrinologist?

Email Dionne at Thyroid UK for list of recommend thyroid specialist endocrinologists ..NHS and Private

[e-mail]

On just levothyroxine...........The aim of levothyroxine is to increase dose upwards until Ft4 is in top third of range and Ft3 at least half way through range (regardless of how low TSH is)

On levothyroxine plus T3 it’s more complex working out dose needed of the two medications.

Some people need to split T3 doses into 2 or 3 smaller doses, others prefer single dose

...important to have optimal vitamin levels for levothyroxine and T3 to work ......this also frequently helps reduce symptoms

Gluten free diet often helps or is utterly essential

[dashi2208 in reply to SlowDragon]

I prescribed T3 for myself and bought a lot of it while in Greece a couple of years ago. I have, as said before, not felt well for many years so this was a desperate attempt to try something new. Could it be that all this time, not knowing about the Hashimoto's, I've been tinkering with my meds thinking if only I can get them right that I'll feel better . . . and probably only exacerbating the problem. I will stop the T3, carry on with 100mg T4 for 6-8 weeks , get tested again . . . and try a gluten free diet. Thank you S.D.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dashi2208]

You may still need addition of T3......many of us do

But 5mcg as single dose is probably not enough....but it’s enough to significantly lower TSH

Taking almost any dose of T3 will almost always suppress TSH

Then GP gets wound up and wants to reduce levothyroxine

Initially it might be better to see if you can fine tune levothyroxine dose, get all four vitamins optimal and trial gluten free diet

If Ft3 remains low, then look at adding T3

Typically if adding T3 we would take 5mcg dose 2 or 3 times through the day (2 doses 12 hours apart or 3 doses 8 hours apart) Can take many months experimenting on appropriate doses

[YSpencer in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi. I have actually added 5mcg a day to 125mcg T4 and that small amount has done wonders for me. My levels are stable and l feel much better. It took a little trial and error but this is my happy place. I had a phone call from my Endo last week and she is very happy with my levels. I’m lucky to be given a private prescription from my GP , after years of hassling him, and l buy from Germany but I’m getting worried about getting it after Brexit.

[dashi2208 in reply to YSpencer]

Hello, I spent a month travelling around Greece a couple of years ago. There T3 can be bought over the counter for about £3 for a pack of 30 without a prescription . . . at least that was the case then. . . .

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dashi2208]

Apparently not easily available OTC now

[dashi2208 in reply to SlowDragon]

healthleadsuk.com/folate-l-...

This one OK for Folate you think?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dashi2208]

Better to take a vitamin B complex, that keeps all B vitamins in balance

As per my reply in previous post

amazon.co.uk/Super-B-Comple...

[dashi2208 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you . . and thanks again for all your kind guidance.I've found gluten free porridge so I'm all set!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dashi2208]

Most supermarkets have certified gluten free oats in their Free From section

I use GF oats as a base to make muesli - adding own selection of chopped nuts, seeds, dried fruit

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dashi2208]

Most GF bread is pretty awful as bread. Some are good toasted (in separate GF toaster)

Best bread (in my view) Warburtons seeded sourdough

Warburtons thins as sandwiches

B Free seeded brown sliced

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dashi2208]

Watch out for hidden gluten in pickles, sauces, etc

Read all labels

Lots of different GF beers available these days

[dashi2208 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hello again, I'm in the process of ordering vitamins. Is there a magnesium supplement that you recommend . . . perhaps . . amazon.co.uk/Magnesium-Chel...

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dashi2208]

Obviously it’s good brand .... but I haven’t tried it

(I struggle with any large capsules or pills as have Ord’s Thyoiditis and makes swallowing difficult )

I use liquid options

Either Calm vitality magnesium powder - can cause diarrhoea if take too much

Or

ReMag - developed by Dr Carolyn Dean who wrote The Magnesium Miracle. Doesn’t upset gut at all.....downside.....it’s expensive.

Both available on Amazon

2 good videos on magnesium

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[dashi2208 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hello again, Warburton's Seeded Sourdough was a good recommendation thanks . . their White Cob Sourdough is also very good and actually tastes better than a lot of normal breads . . . in my opinion.Did you at some point advise taking B12 as well as B complex . . I can't seem to see it in the thread?

Thanks