Diagnosed w/hypothyroidism in 2003 :-)but just had anti TPO/TG antibodies confirmed last month (accidentally - the lab did the wrong tests!)
So, back in 7/2021, my GP dropped my Thyroxine from 125mcg to 100mcg, as my TSH was 0.01. It had risen to 0.9 by 22/9/2021 but, as of 28/2, it is now 8.25 :-). Which was a surprise. Anyone have thoughts on why this might be?
FT4 is 16.6, was 13.8 in September.
Thanks for reading!
Not surprising at all. Levels fluctuate a lot with Hashi's. And, you are now on the TSH seesaw! TSH drops, doctor drops dose, TSH rises, doctor increases dose, TSH drops, etc. etc. for all eternity! And they are too dumb to recognise the pattern! Dosing by TSH is wrong. The most important number is the FT3, and they don't even test that. Even so, if he bothers to test the FT4, he should at least look at it and have the nouse to realise that if it isn't over-range, then you aren't over-medicated. Simple, plain common sense.
I feel like, now I realise it’s Hashimoto’s, this at least makes more sense :-)) Forewarned is forearmed I guess! I have a phone consultation w/GP next week, so hopefully she will, at least, increase the dose. May I ask, ought I to have my thyroid physically examined for goitre? Just curious 
Well, even if you have one, there's not much anyone can do about it. If you don't have a visible goitre, then you probably have Ord's, rather than Hashi's - the antibodies and the end results are the same. And, as they know you have raised antibodies, as I see it, the only reason to insist on checking for a goitre is if you think there's one obstructing your breathing/swallowing. In which case, they would have to remove the whole thyroid.
Recommend you visit parathyroid.com/Dr.Norman.htm, there's loads of information on thyroid issues/ exams/procedures. This is a top thyroid operation/research facility that can provide information to answer your questions and concerns. Best to you.
Request GP test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Plus coeliac blood test if not already tested
Why we need to test for ferritin? Could you advise? An Endo asked me why I asked for Ferritin levels test.
Low iron/ferritin is extremely common when hypothyroid
An article that explains why Low ferritin and low thyroid levels are often linked
preventmiscarriage.com/iron...
irondisorders.org/too-littl...
davidg170.sg-host.com/wp-co...
Great in-depth article on low ferritin
oatext.com/iron-deficiency-...
drhedberg.com/ferritin-hypo...
This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.
Thyroid disease is as much about optimising vitamins as thyroid hormones
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
restartmed.com/hypothyroidi...
Post discussing just how long it can take to raise low ferritin
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing. It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron
Medichecks iron panel test
medichecks.com/products/iro...
Iron and thyroid link
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Posts discussing why important to do full iron panel test
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Chicken livers if iron is good, but ferritin low
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Why low ferritin needs improving
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Iron/ferritin and restless legs
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Thank you you so much slow dragon.
all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am 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
List of private testing options and money off codes
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins
medichecks.com/products/adv...
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
As you have only just been diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid disease…
nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...
1.1 Recognition of coeliac disease
1.1.1 Offer serological testing for coeliac disease to:
people with any of the following:
persistent unexplained abdominal or gastrointestinal symptoms
faltering growth
prolonged fatigue
unexpected weight loss
severe or persistent mouth ulcers
unexplained iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
type 1 diabetes, at diagnosis
autoimmune thyroid disease, at diagnosis
irritable bowel syndrome (in adults)
first‑degree relatives of people with coeliac disease.
Thanks for this. You kindly provided me with some of this, really useful, info on an earlier post. Very much appreciated.
my nutritional therapist (functional medicine practitioner), who also has Hashis, always says the same thing when I'm ranting about my GP's lack of support. They should be doing 'good ol' fashioned' testing of the reflexes, as it is very evident in Hashis that they aren't normal! I haven't physically seen a GP in over 3 years, let alone been touched by one to do my reflexes! Out of morbid curiosity, ask if they'll test your reflexes and see what they say!
I'd also suggest having ready a full list of your various symptoms, and if possible historically any periods when you felt well/awful (if you know what dose you were on at that time, if not get GP to check on your records). I found reading this article interesting, as there's lots of symptoms we might not think are linked to Hashis, but reading them on a list, we go 'oh yes, I have that!'. There are others online, I just remembered the '300' bit for some reason.
hypothyroidmom.com/300-hypo...
My GP always dismisses my symptoms as 'non specific' and that the thyroid gets blamed for a lot of things when it isn't at fault; prepare yourself to defend your corner and reinforce the case to test for other things 'it might be' so that they can be 'ruled out' (to get them on board for ordering the blood tests SD has mentioned).
Unfortunately for us, the patient, few GPs know much about treating a patient who's hypothyroid.
One of mine phoned to tell me:-
"Your TSH is too low - your T4 too low and your T3 too high!"
Me: Yes doctor that's because I take T3 only, therefore T4 will be low and T3 high.
GP: But T3 converts to T4. - Me: I'm sorry doctor but that's untrue - T4 should convert to T3.
rolling eyes emoji, gaping mouth emoji, banging head against the wall emoji... They might have been to med school, clearly thyroid is missing from any tutorial/paper/exam/discussion. No less frustrating for us.
Was there also an alarmed sharp intake of breath followed by 'you're on WHAT?!?!'
It was a phone call, so he would not be able to see my reaction.
Perhaps the syllabus at Med School has had a full thyroidectomy ? 🤔
🤣👍
Scalp, itching and stinging. Hyperthyroid, taking Carbizimole
Knee pain! Is it bc of PTU or my Auto Immune?
Am I undermedicated? What should my next steps be?
helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines
New test results, help please
