Feeling a little left at sea

[Yoll]

I was been taking T3 (15mcg a day in 3 doses).

I have had some great improvement in my gut health, sleeping, and less tiredness.

This was a trial.

In my last consultation unfortunately I didn't have T3 results,(NHS Labs refused to do it) only T4 and TSH, which was a problem of course.

I was left in limbo. No date for another consultation and no plan forward. My memory is so poor I can't remember what was said.

My results since then are:

TSH: 0.19 (RANGE 0.27-4.2)

FT4: 9.3 (RANGE 11-22)

FT3: 5 (RANGE 3.1-6.8)

MEDICHECK suggested I should reduce my T3

I was since given TEVA in my last prescription for levothyroxine in within a week I have headaches, stomach cramps, leg cramps, IBS is back aches and pains on waking, and tiredness.

Which is causing the problem? the T3 or the Teva?

I thought I was really moving forward, now I feel I'm back to square one.

I have also been put on very mild HRT pessaries for the last 2 months, but I can't imagine they could be causing these symptoms! or am I wrong

Thanks everyone for being there, it makes a huge difference

[CaroleM-A]

My bet would be the Teva is causing the problem because the T3 was helping. I don’t see why it would need reducing as you’re within range and the TSH isn’t too bad either. T4 is low though.

Lots of people have different problems when taking Teva. It’s mentioned in lots of posts on here, if you do a search you’ll find them.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Yoll

MEDICHECK suggested I should reduce my T3

Idiots! YourFT3 is well within range, in fact there's room to improve it if you are still symptomatic as it's only 51.35% through it's range. Obviously they're just looking at the TSH result and have freaked out because it's below range, typical of NHS doctors too! TSH is bound to be low or suppressed when taking T3, and as TSH is not a thyroid hormone (it's a pituitary hormone) it's not important once taking thyroid hormone replacement. Shame doctors don't know all this.

Which is causing the problem? the T3 or the Teva?

The Teva. Report adverse affects to your GP and do a yellow card report. Ask for your usual brand if you know you're OK on that, if necessary ask GP to name it on your prescription or ask the pharmacy to make a note on your record there that you must not be given Teva only xxx brand. Always check your pharmacy bag contents before leaving the counter in future, if Teva is given or Northstar 25mcg then hand it back and say you are allergic to it and need your xxx brand.

It's often the case that when on HRT then dose of thyroid meds needs increasing, not sure if it's the same with pessaries but can't see why not.

[Yoll in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you so muchI’ll contact GP

I’m normally ok on Northstar? Are they the same

I used to take accord

I was never well on any of them so I’m very confused about which one to go for and why this be is happening

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Yoll]

Northstar 25mcg is made by Teva so will contain Mannitol instead of lactose. Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg are made by Accord.

Accord make and rebrand 50mcg and 100mcg Levo as Northstar for Lloyd's Pharmacy and Almus for Boots.

[Yoll in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you I take 25mcg and 50mcg so would have Accord for 50 and Teva for 25 that explains a little more.

just looked up side effects mannitol! explain my current thirst and headaches. I have trouble with hydration anyway this isn't helping

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Yoll]

If you are OK on Accord, you can cut a 50mcg in half to get the 25mcg, or take 50mcg one day and 100mcg the next.

[Yoll in reply to SeasideSusie]

Good to know I can do this

I think I’m ok on accord I haven’t be ok for so long I don’t know anymore

As before I found this forum I would never of thought of questioning the brands.

10 years of feeling rubbish it take time to unravel it all.

Add the menopause into the mix and you have a huge tangled mess.

The chemist was very helpful and put a note on my file and told me to go back to GP for another prescription. Let’s hope it all works out ok.

Thanks again everyone

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Suggest you do 6-8 weeks on only ACCORD brand

So cut 50mcg tablets in half to get 25mcg dose

Then retest levels

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

Last 5mcg dose T3 8-12 hours before test

Currently Ft4 is very low, may be too low for you

Likely to need increase in levothyroxine to 100mcg

HRT often means you need increase in dose levothyroxine

[Yoll in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank youI do always test early in the morning following all the advice.

I'll see what the endo say about increase .

I would need him to change it