I was diagnosed with Hashimotos 2 years ago, underactive. I had flu/ chest infection and pleurisy recently and have recovered from this with clear X Rays. However, just did not feel well. Had bloods done and Iām normally between 1-2 TSH with T4 around 17-19.
I have felt like I was displaying hyper symptoms with burning sensations, high anxiety and panic, muscle weakness, insomnia etc so had bloods done. I currently take 150mcg Levo.
My headline results this week:
TSH 0.99 range 0.27-4.20
Free T4 23.0 range 12.0-22.0
Iām awaiting T3 result.
This suggests/ confirms my thoughts about possibly being overmedicated or a Hashi flair post infection.
My question is my consultant was meant to call back today but didnāt so I need to know what to do in the morning re my dosage. None? Taper by 25? Take to 100?
I was very ill when hypothyroid 2 years go so donāt want to plummet.
All my other bits were ok including B12 etc and inflammation marker low so infection resolved- I take all the vitamin supplements recommended on here.
Any help about what to do in the morning re meds be gratefully received. I need not to add to hyper symptoms as Iām climbing the walls š
I see you are on levo. Levo is a storage hormone so timing isn't important. I suggest you miss the morning's dose until you've spoken to your consultant. If you need to you can make it up later.
When I say 'storage' hormone that means that it doesn't do anything, but waits to be converted to T3 which is the active hormone. It's a bit like the petrol tank in your car - the petrol waits to be used when you drive.
Thank you š I was nervous to keep piling it in at the mo. Hoping I get my T3 result tomorrow so should give me a true picture if Iām overmedicated as usually poor converter. Can upMy Levo and T3 stays static. Thank you Anthea. This was my gut feeling and as Iām already living in constant state of anxiety taking it in morning again would make me worse. Fingers crossed he rings tomorrow š¤š¤
Hi yes and because of symptoms. Iāve felt wired, waking every 2 hours, shaky etc twitches. So when I saw T4 at 23 Iām usually around 17-19 ( not high in range) but I function, I thought the 2 are linked.
Idk, Iāve never felt hyper on any dose or combo of doses. So I canāt relate.
But I think your tsh being around 0.99, I think your pituitary is satisfied with the amount of hormone youāre getting. Have you retested a few times before lowering?
Iāve only had these tests this week as I pay privately itās all getting v expensive. Iām useless at doing my own via Medichecks and as is the way GP will only do TSH. So frustrating.
Iād only go down by 10 or 12.5 per day. Youāre barely over range. It will be interesting to see what your T3 is and whether thatās the real issue and you need lio.
Hello Yes small drop then. I had to request T3 again as theyād missed it off (I pay privately for all things Thyroid- costs a fortune but??) so maybe a day or so for results. If this is in range or low Iām not converting. However in uk I believe itās impossible to get T3 even via a consultant. All so frustrating.
I wonder if the high T4 alone can cause hyper symptoms even if the T3 comes back in range? What do you think?
Thatās good I genuinely think something is going on. I didnāt realise it was available here. I defo need to explore this with my doctor. Thank you š
Doc will need to refer you to an Endo for them to prescribe. Thyroid U.K. has a list of thyroid friendly Endoās - you could try to get referred to one locally. Iāve had a few Endoās now in Kingston upon Thames and theyāve all been ok ish with T3.
Thank you! Iām in the Manchester area will look at the site. I did see an endo a couple of years ago privately but didnāt find her helpful so am mainly working with a private GP who is up to speed on all things thyroid. He might need to refer me.
Of course thereās also the ātaking things into your own handsā route! Get full thyroid tests done privately from Medichecks etc then post results here for advice then self source T3 etc!
Thanks JAmanda. Iāve just had blood work done and awaiting T3 result tomorrow as they forgot to run this at same time so will pop on here for advice š
It isnāt impossible to get T3 in UK but you may need to go privately before anyone will listen to you. I was prescribed T3 from a private Endo but NHS still wonāt pay for so I source and buy myself. I have read how changes in GPs can mean a change in strategy and what medication you are given so I prefer the stability of buying my own via a private prescription for now.
I do have a fantastic private GP who would do their best to help. Iām having a review next week when T3 in so Iāll see if this is an option if necessary. So fed up with it all.
I am feeling the same and I am scared the doctor will reduce dose and make a mess again. Good luck!
Same here itās just awful, isnāt it? Sending positive thoughts. Letās hope we get sorted!
Essential to also test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
What vitamin supplements are you currently
ALWAYS test thyroid levels as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
High Ft4 and low Ft3 would show poor conversion
Good conversion of Ft4 to Ft3 needs GOOD vitamin levels
High Ft4 can make you feel wiredā¦but important to consider the whole picture
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimotoās or Ordās thyroiditis)
Low vitamin levels common as we get older too
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 and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
Thank you SlowDragon for your detailed response. Iāll be repeating bloods next week so will ask for full vits to be checked. I know my B12 and vitamin D was good š
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Latest bloods on T3 only
Is a TSH only test sufficient to give a true reflection on how your doing on Levothyroxine
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