Advice on latest thyroid blood test

[ElleMai]

Hi,

Please would someone be able to advise me on my latest blood tests? I just want to know if my levels are looking ok, or if I should try to push for an increased dose. I’ve increased from 75 mcg to 100 mcg Aristo Levothyroxine and just tested again after 8 weeks at the higher dose. I feel a bit better on the higher dose but my FT3 hasn’t changed at all. (All results below). I’m wondering if it’s worth adding T3?

I’m still having hypo symptoms (they’re not too bad, but I certainly don’t feel quite right), but not sure if it’s my thyroid or the start of peri menopause (I’m planing to get my sex hormones tested soon!)

Also, since I started taking T4 I’ve started to gain weight. Within 2 months I gained 10 kg, and I’m continuing to gain 0.5 kg per month. I’ve never gained weight before being medicated, even though I was hypothyroid. My diet is excellent, I’m as active as I can be and all my vitamins and minerals are top of the range. Is it normal for Levothyroxine to cause weight gain?

Thank you all for your kind help. You have no idea how much you have all helped me with the amazing info here. Because of you I have literally got my life back this year after 15 years of hell...I was out of work, completely disabled and suicidal...because of the info I got here I managed to finally get medicated..,my life is amazing now& I’m working, I’m able TO LIVE again...so from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE!

Tsh: previous 4.42, now 1.3 (range 0.27 - 4.2)

FT4: previous 19.6, now 23.6 (range 12-22)

FT3: previous 4.5, now still 4.5 ( range 3.1 - 6.8)

Ferratin, folate, Vitamin d and b12 were all top of the ranges 2 months ago. Negative for pernicious anaemia. I haven’t tested them again but have maintained the same supplements (vit d3, magnesium, glutathione, b complex, zinc)

Thank you all for any advice!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

As you are on Aristo are you lactose intolerant and on lactose free diet?

Suggest you test again in another 8 weeks if Ft4 remains high and Ft3 low you will need to consider other options

Exactly what vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Did you remember to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin at least a week before blood test

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Sorry should have read previous post

I've been on a strictly gluten and dairy free diet since around 2013, I was strictly AIP (auto immune protocol diet) until 2017 and now mostly stick to an AIP diet,

so as gluten intolerant likely to need addition of small dose of T3 prescribed alongside levothyroxine

Email Thyroid UK for list of recommend thyroid specialist endocrinologists who will prescribe T3 ...NHS and Private

[e-mail]

[ElleMai in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou so much for the reply! You are really so wonderful for taking the time to reply! Yes I stopped b12 1 week before the bloods were taken and the Levothyroxine 24 hours before, and took the blood first thing in the morning. Yes I’m allergic to milk which is why I’m on aristo brand (my doctor gave me Teva brand which was absolutely awful (I yellow card reported it)...it’s thanks to this forum i found out about Aristo!) I’ll test thyroid again in 8 weeks as you suggest and by then I’ll have got my sex hormones tested too. I’m the meantime I’ll try to find someone to prescribe T3 just in case.

Fingers crossed!! Thanks again from a nearly healthy and definitely happy person!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ElleMai]

So presumably you are absolutely strictly lactose/dairy free

[ElleMai in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes, I’m strictly dairy, lactose and gluten free since about 2013. I had such a huge improvement in fatigue, brain fog and pain when I stopped eating these, I wouldn’t ever try eating themagain!

Strangely though I don’t think I’m lactose intolerant, which would normally give digestive symptoms. Also I’ve tried lactose free cheese and I still react. I think I’m allergic to the milk protein as I get difficultly breathing, joint pain, rashes etc, when I have dairy, which is typically a milk allergy, not a lactose intolerance symptoms. However, I also got these symptoms with the Levothyroxine with lactose in it...I can only assume there is milk protein contamination in the tablets from the lactose?? Either way, the Aristo lactose free brand is working really well for me without side effects. 🙂

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ElleMai]

Could be the casein in dairy?

Similarly I can’t tolerate anything with wheat - even gluten free wheat based glucose. (In some sweets/marzipan)

[ElleMai in reply to SlowDragon]

Oh that’s really interesting! I didn’t even know there was wheat based glucose, but I have noticed some sweets make me feel bad too, which I’ve cut out over the years by trial and error. It’s so lovely to have someone have a similar experience, after years of being made to feel like I’m making it all up.

You’re an endless source of knowledge! What a star!