Hypo to hyper?

[Jinjin44]

Hi there. I am wondering what anyone’s thoughts are on my current situation.

I have been hypothyroid for the last 22 years and in August last year my levels came back as slightly hyperthyroid. My medication was reduced and my follow up test came back as “normal”.

My most recent thyroid function test showed my TSH levels as 1. Which I’m told by Gp is normal but i feel like I have hyperthyroidism. I’m anxious, nervous, sweaty, can’t stand being in the sun, can’t sleep, dizzy, headache and need to be constantly doing something to distract myself.

I have booked in for another thyroid function test tomorrow and have been told by my Gp over the phone to lower my current dose from 150mcg to 125mcg until we get the results back.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As per previous two posts re upset after pharmacy changing brand from Accord to Teva

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

If you’re hypothyroid you can’t become hyperthyroid.

What were results that prompted dose reduction in levothyroxine

When dose levothyroxine is inappropriately reduced it’s extremely common for vitamin levels to drop as direct result

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH

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

Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease?

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

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

[Jinjin44 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi, my T4 levels were 20pmol and TSH was 0.05 which prompted a lowering of dose. I was on 175mcg and was lowered to 150.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jinjin44]

Obviously you really needed Ft3 and all four vitamins tested before reducing dose

What was range on Ft4 ?

Was test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Certainly need FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done this time

[Jinjin44 in reply to SlowDragon]

I have paid for the thriva test and am waiting for it to arrive. Hopefully it will give me some answers. Also booked a private endocrinologist consultation for the 15th of this month as my Gp just doesn’t seem interested.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jinjin44]

Come back with new post once you get results

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jinjin44]

High Ft4 can cause hyperthyroid type symptoms....but low Ft3 leaves you hypothyroid

Low Ft3 tends to lower vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels tend to result in low Ft3 and high Ft4

[Jinjin44 in reply to SlowDragon]

Oh wow really! I didn’t realise that. Well hopefully the thriva test will shed some light on my vitamin levels 🤞.

[jgelliss in reply to SlowDragon]

It's a vicious 😫 cycle.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I’m anxious, nervous, sweaty, can’t stand being in the sun, can’t sleep, dizzy, headache and need to be constantly doing something to distract myself.

All these symptoms could be due to being under medicated.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I sometimes get ‘hyper’ symptoms but I’m definitely under active. I know I need to recheck my T3, T4 and TSH if I am overly anxious, have palpitations or a tremor. I post results with ranges on the forum & follow advice to adjust my medication.

[susiebow]

Hi I am going through exactly the same.My TS H done 2 weeks ago was 0.06 and free t4 21.3.I have been sweating,panicky,nauseated,short of breath,malaise,tremor.I dropped from 112.5 mcg to 100mg a day.But Now I have low mood and still feel above symptoms,although sweating has improved.I don't really see how it can be undereducated with bloods and symptoms.Hoping that I feel better soon as it's getting a bit much for me.Hope you improve soon too.

[Jinjin44 in reply to susiebow]

It’s awful isn’t it! I hope I can get some answers soon and I really hope you feel better soon too. I will repost any updates that may be helpful 😊

[Hamste]

Hi thereI too was on a high dose of thyroxine 15 years ago (150g) but went from experiencing the symptoms you describe on this dose to now being on 50g; however although symptoms are less I still don’t think my dose is right, as I can go for days not feeling well with slight nausea and anxiety.