Advice needed please

[D0n49]

I have seen the most amazing responses on this forum, so looking for some much needed expertise please...

My Mum has had an under active thyroid for some years now and has always taken 75 mcg Levothyroxine daily. However, since being discharged from hospital after having COVID pneumonia it has come to light that our GP is not monitoring her as closely as I would like.

Firstly, I note some people have mentioned testing of T3 and T4 levels. Is this something that can be done via a home test kit please?

Also she currently has a vitamin D deficiency. At the very start of the first lockdown I had her taking high dose supplements but these brought her out in an unbearable itchy rash. Further to a recent blood test the GP prescribed Calci-D chewable tablets, and the rash appears to have flared up again after a week of taking them. Has anyone else experienced anything similar please? Antihistamines don’t seem to work and I am not sure if there is an effective alternative?

Thank you in advance.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes first step is to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done

75mcg is only one step up from starter dose

Does she always get same brand levothyroxine

Which brand

For full Thyroid evaluation she needs TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially cause is autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies

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)

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/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

Only do test early Monday or Tuesday morning and then post back via tracked postal service

Come back with new post once you get her results

[D0n49 in reply to SlowDragon]

Amazing response SlowDragon - thank you so much!!! I need to check the brand, but as far as I am aware this has never been changed. Lots of brilliant advice to follow up on, thanks again! Will be sure to keep you posted 👍🏻