So my story goes at 18 years old I was put on Thyroxine for an under active thyroid, after about 5 years on this medication the doctor said if he was the doctor to look at my blood she would not have prescribed me the medication and did I want to try coming off it see how I go and it’s my choice what I want to do.
At the time because the thyroxine was working well for me I was feeling really well and healthy and in a place where I thought I would try this.
I’ve been back for many tests since as all my symptoms returned. They are now also worsening slowly and steadily.
The doctors are still not putting me back onto the thyroxine despite the fact it was meant to be my choice. This runs in my family all the women on my mums side have this health problem.
Comparing my results from august 2020 to now my levels are continuing to drop and I just feel awful already and don’t want this to get worse and worse.
I don’t really know what to do next or if anyone has any advice for me about this. I’m not really trusting of the doctors as it is because they allowed me to walk around on a broken bone for 8 months until I finally went private and sorted the issue out. I don’t really have the money to go private with this issue as I’ve now moved out of my family home etc so how can I make the doctors see that putting me back on the medication will be best for me personally?
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meredithgrey91
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I feel for you. I had a similar issue with a GP suggesting “we try” a reduction of meds and then, when I asked to return to original levels, point blank refusing. I think it’s one of their rather suspect ploys.
“Comparing my results from august 2020 to now my levels are continuing to drop”
What actual test results do you have and can you share them here, along with ranges? If so, folks here will be better placed to give more concrete advice on how to resolve this issue.
So the ranges would be different on each test as it keeps changing I think but the recent ranges ..
T4-12.4 pmol/L [11.5 - 22.7]
Please note new reference range as of 26/01/2021.
THS- 1.83 mu/L [0.55 - 4.78]
I have had the anti body test done before and the last time the doctor almost put me back on the tablet but the specialist he spoke to said not to. What would the anti body test be named? Is there a terminology for it or is it just that?
I’m not sure they checked vit levels this time hmm ... I can’t see it but I take multi vits and vitamin d everyday anyway.
My diet varies I try my best but honestly it’s hard when I’m so tired and exhausted all the time to maintain the changes I put in place... I try and get some gluten free foods but not fully gluten free ...
Sorry, but you shouldn't be taking a multivitamin for all sorts of reasons.
It's really not the best way to raise or maintain nutrient levels:
* If your multi contains iron, it will block the absorption of all the vitamins - you won't absorb a single one! Iron should be taken at least two hours away from any other supplement except vit C, which is necessary to aid absorption of iron, and protect the stomach.
* If your multi also contains calcium, the iron and calcium will bind together and you won't be able to absorb either of them.
* Multi's often contain things you shouldn't take or don't need : calcium, iodine, copper. These things should be tested before supplementing.
* Multi's often contain the cheapest, least absorbable form of the supplement : magnesium oxide, instead of magnesium citrate or one of the other good forms; cyanocobalamin instead of methylcobalamin; folic acid instead of methylfolate; etc. etc. etc. This is especially true of supermarket multis.
* Multi's do not contain enough of anything to help a true deficiency, even if you could absorb them.
* When taking several supplements, you should start them individually at two weekly intervals, not all at once as you would with a multi. Because, if you start them all at once, and something doesn't agree with you, you won't know which one it is and you'll be back to square one.
* Most supplements should be taken at least two hours away from thyroid hormone, but some - iron, vit D, magnesium and calcium (should you really need to take it) should be taken at least four hours away from thyroid hormone.
*Vit C should be taken 2 hours away from B12 because it affects how the body uses B12.
*Never take magnesium/zinc/calcium at the same time as they affect the absorption of each other.
*Take zinc and copper separately as zinc affects the absorption of copper.
*Vits A/D/E/K are all fat soluble vitamins, and if taken together can compete for the source of fat. They are best taken away from each other.
* The magnesium you take - and just about everybody needs to take it - should be chosen according to what you want it to do:
Magnesium citrate: mild laxative, best for constipation.
Magnesium taurate: best for cardiovascular health.
Magnesium malate: best for fatigue – helps make ATP energy.
Magnesium glycinate: most bioavailable and absorbable form, non-laxative.
Magnesium chloride: for detoxing the cells and tissues, aids kidney function and can boost a sluggish metabolism.
Magnesium carbonate: good for people suffering with indigestion and acid reflux as it contains antacid properties.
Worst forms of magnesium: oxide, sulphate, glutamate and aspartate.
With a multivitamin, you are just throwing your money down the drain, at best, and doing actual harm at worst. Far better to get tested for vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin, and build up your supplementation program based on the results. A vitamin or a mineral is only going to help you if you need it, anyway. More of something you don’t need is not better, it's either pointless or even dangerous, as with iodine, calcium, iron or vit D.
So, your challenge is that you are working with limited information. There’s more to understanding thyroid health than just TSH and FT4. However, doctors generally only go by the former. It would help you get a better picture if you also knew your FT3 levels (FT3 is actually the hormone most associated with symptoms), and what your thyroid antibodies were doing.
I understand that, in the distant past, doctors were prepared to prescribe on the basis of symptoms. Sadly, these days that’s rare, so blood tests take on greater significance. In your case, right now, both your TSH and FT4 are in range (although your FT4 is only just in range). So you need to get more data. I suggest you either insist your GP does full thyroid testing (to include TSH, FT4, FT3 and thyroid antibodies) or you do it privately via relatively low-cost testing.
Lots of folks on here are doing their own testing, myself included. I use Medichecks but there are others you can find out about here:
It would be good also to include tests for Vit D, Vit B12, ferritin and folate. You want to make sure all of these are optimal as they support thyroid health.
Leave off taking any supplements that contain B12 and biotin for at least a week before testing. Test first thing in the morning, before food, tea, coffee etc.
Feel free to bring your results back here and we’ll give you more suggestions. My hunch, based on the comment you made about your doctor almost putting you back on, is that your antibodies are high and/or your FT3 is low, but until we see numbers, that’s pure speculation.
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Hyperthyroidism and need some answers 
Some confusion over Vit D and Calcium supps
Need advice on getting some t3 added to thyroxine please
