Brain fog and ‘normal’ T levels

[TwickChick]

My blood results are showing all T levels are normal (on 300mg of levthyroxine for ‘normal’) but I am still suffering so much brain fog. Anyone else had similar experiences?

[fuchsia-pink]

Do you have your actual blood results and related lab range - "normal" covers such a huge range that you could well not be in the right level of medication yet

[Wired123 in reply to fuchsia-pink]

It would be good to know your T3 and T4 levels as T3 tablets may be the solution. But let’s look at your results first.

Got rid of my brain fog after 10 years and 9 Endos who all told me my thyroid levels were “normal” by adding T3.

[TwickChick in reply to Wired123]

Thank you - I’ll bring that to my doctor

[TwickChick in reply to fuchsia-pink]

Lol hence ‘normal’ is in quote marks according to the doctor my T levels are good even for me (he couldn’t believe at first what a high level a younger patient was on). All of my usual signs and symptoms of something being wrong (dry hair and skin) and my desperate need to nap have all gone. I’ve been sent to a endocrinologist (think that’s the specialist) and she’s happy with my levels.

[Wired123 in reply to TwickChick]

300 mcg is a huge dose and quite surprising to me too. If you’re not better on that I’d seriously look into Liothyronin treatment.

Make sure your Endo is on the Thyroid UK list otherwise ask to be referred to one of those on the list or you’re just wasting your time and will be fobbed off.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

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

Ask GP to test vitamin levels (and thyroid antibodies if not been tested)

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand of Levothyroxine

Which brand

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

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 too

or dairy intolerance.....especially if on high doses of levothyroxine (as you currently are)

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...

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

[e-mail]

The aim of levothyroxine is to increase dose upwards in 25mcg steps until TSH is under 2

When adequately treated, TSH will often be well under one.

Most important results are ALWAYS Ft3 followed by Ft4. When adequately treated Ft4 is usually in top third of range and Ft3 at least 60% through range (regardless of how low TSH is)

Extremely important to have optimal vitamin levels too as this helps reduce symptoms and improve how levothyroxine works

[tattybogle]

All together now ..Everybody Sing ... ". 'normal' is just an opinion , it's not a test result "

T4 12.1 [12-22] ='normal' ( but would still account for brain not working

T4 21.9 [12-22] ='normal' too.

[greygoose in reply to tattybogle]

It's not even really an opinion, because they don't think about it, don't even notice the actual number, just that it's somewhere in-range. A genuine opinion takes careful consideration, to my mind.

[tattybogle in reply to greygoose]

lol,Yes, you're quite right .

[Hidden]

Yes! I have awful brain fog all of the time. Whilst I know a lot of symptoms are hard to manage this one feels especially difficult! I find natural light and sunlight helps, not staying in bed in the dark too long in the morning and I also find around lunchtime it gets a little better. Does anything make it better or worse for you?Keep fighting for your health- it’s hard but it will be worth it 🙌🏼

[TwickChick in reply to Hidden]

I’mHoping less screen time is going to help and more sunlight but I might ask for more specifics on my T3 function to I agree it’s one of the worst symptoms for me because the more I try to think of a specific word, or express myself the more it comes out wrong and I think sometimes people around me think it’s more just having a funny minute