Next step regarding underactive thyroid

[Mjpp84]

Hi all,

I hope everyone is staying safe. I am looking for some advice regarding next steps with an underactive thyroid (previous post below which I received great feedback on). I have seen no improvement in symptoms since the end of March (last blood results). I have continued on the same dosage of thyroxine below, continued with vitamin D and B complex supplements and trialed a gluten free diet for a few months with no impact, I have been told that my conversion isn't too bad. I am wondering what to do now in terms of next steps. Should I do another blood test ? I am also considering going to see a private endocronologist with a view of possibly starting T3 , based on a list of doctors provided on this forum. Would be interested to understood if anyone has had real success with T3 and the process related to going private - do they do blood tests as part of the service, how does the process typically work ? I have been on levothyroxine now for a a number of years and haven't really felt well throughout this time. I am wondering if I have another illness in addition.

Would really welcome any advice and feedback, many thanks.

Hi all, it would be great to obtain your advice regarding my blood test results below (Thriva finger prick test) done on Sat 27th March (2021) 07.30am prior to thyroxine, caffeine and breakfast. I am currently taking levothyroxine, 10 days 150mg, 5 days 125mg, plus a vitamin D supplement and super B complex (Igennus). Test results:

Active B12: 138pmol/L - normal (range- 37.5-188)

Ferritin: 86 ug/L - optimal (30-200)

Folate: 23.1nmol/L - normal (normal = 8.83-30, optimal=30-60.8)

FT3: 5pmol/L - optimal (optimal=3.1-5.0, normal = 5-6.8)

TSH: 2.32mlu/L optimal (optimal=1-2.5)

Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAB) 29.2ku/L - normal = 0-115

Thyroid peroxidate antibodies (TPOAb) - 37.8kIu/L - high. Normal = 0-34

T4 = 111nmol/L. Normal = 66-181

FT4 = 20.7pmol/L - normal (optimal = 12-17, normal = 17-22)

Vitamin d = 107nmol/l - optimal (optimal = 75-120, normal = 120-175)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription?

Did you stop vitamin B complex a week before test?

Suggest you try increasing levothyroxine to 150mcg daily

If that doesn’t help/can’t tolerate then next step is yes to consider adding T3 alongside levothyroxine

[Mjpp84 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I do typically do get the same brands - 100 & 50 tablets are Accord (from memory) and 25 tablets are Mercury - is there a preferable brand to use (I guess due to fillers etc.)?, would this make a difference ? Yes I stopped the B complex a week before the last blood test. Will up the levothyroxine dosage, not sure if this will make too much difference. Really need to get my health and wellness sorted as I continue to struggle and can't continue along the same path (fatigue, muscle soreness, brain fog, low mood etc.).

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mjpp84]

Some people find different brands are not interchangeable

Mercury Pharma and Accord are probably most easily tolerated

Trial and error what suits you best