Help with results

[Gwelos]

Hi last time I posted was 6 months ago and it was recommended I try increasing my thybon and see what happened. I didn’t do that until February this year due to different medical problems.

I was on 100 of levo and 5of thybon so on 21st /2/22 I reduced my Levo to 75 for 5 days and then increased my thybon to an extra 5 at 1pm.

I repeated bloods on 23/3/22 and results were

TSH 2.58 0.27-4.2

FT4 12.7 12-22

FT3 4.2 3.1-6.8

I then increased my thybon by 5 so I’m now on 10 in the am and 5 at lunchtime and Levo at 75.

I repeated bloods on 19/4/22

TSH 1.35

Ft4 12

FT3 4.5

I’m not sure where to go from here as my Ft4 is very low and I don’t feel well.

Should I increase my thybon by another 5 or increase my Levo

Many thanks🙏

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I then increased my thybon by 5 so I’m now on 10 in the am and 5 at lunchtime and Levo at 75.

I repeated bloods on 19/4/22

TSH 1.35

Ft4 12

FT3 4.5

Was test done early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Day before test did you split T3 as 3 x 5mcg doses taking last 5mcg dose approx 8-12 before test

You could try taking T3 everyday as 3 x 5mcg doses

5mcg waking, 5mcg early-mid afternoon and 5mcg early evening or bedtime

Many people find small 5mcg dose T3 at bedtime improves sleep

Other people find it keeps them awake

Would agree your Ft4 is low

Generally we should only change one thing at a time

So first step might be to increase levothyroxine a little…..up to 87.5mcg daily

Retest in 6-8 weeks

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested?

[Gwelos in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks SlowDragonMy vitamins were tested 6 months ago and I’m having them repeated next week. My bloods were done as suggested on this site fasting and 24 hours from levo and t3 split with last dose 6pm.I’m on Vit D 1000, b12 500, methyl folate 400, daily support multi, magnesium, cod liver oil. I’m on eltroxin and it’s always the same brand.

I’ll increase my Levo and retest in 8 weeks.

Your reply much appreciated 🙏

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Gwelos]

daily support multi,

What’s this multivitamin?

Or did you mean vitamin B complex?

Multivitamins are never recommended on here, most contain iodine, not recommended for anyone on levothyroxine

Remember to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before all blood tests as biotin can falsely affect test results (it’s used in lots of labs test equipment)

[Gwelos in reply to SlowDragon]

It’s b vitamins and other supports as well. There’s no biotin or iodineThanks

Supplement label

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Gwelos]

Gwelos

Personally I would ditch that supplement for the following reasons:

Ashwagandha and Rhodiola are "adaptogens" which are meant to be balancing; however, both are known to reduce cortisol levels.

Lemon balm - there is some evidence that it may interfere with thyroid hormones.

There are B vitamins in that supplement so you'd be better off taking a good quality, bioavailable B Complex.

[Gwelos in reply to SeasideSusie]

That’s great information SeaSideSusie. I’ll do that. Thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Gwelos

In my opinion increase Levo.

When you posted 6 months ago your results were

FreeT4 18.2 (12-24)

FreeT3. 4.3. (3.1-6.8)

Tsh 0.8. ( 2.7-4.2 )

and it was suggested that you increase your T3.

You asked you should reduce Levo and my suggestion was that as you can't change both at once then the first step would be to increase T3 and see what difference that makes to how you feel and your results, then decide what the next step is going to be.

Adding more T3 would probably have lowered your FT4 anyway yet you reduced your Levo by 25mcg when your original FT4 was only 50% through range.

Reducing your Levo resulted in your FT4 plummeting to just 7% through range then you added more T3 which lowered your FT4 even more and it's now at the very bottom of the range.

If you increase your Levo this will raise your FT4 and your FT3 should also rise, how much will depend on how much natural conversion you have.

I would also suggest that you slow down the rate at which you are retesting. It's advised to retest no sooner 6-8 weeks after any dose change and I mentioned that even at 10 weeks I am still noticing a difference. From the dates you have given your first retest was just over 4 weeks and the next one was again 4 weeks.

[Gwelos in reply to SeasideSusie]

That’s true just 4 weeks. I suppose it’s frustration really and wanting to get better quicker. Yes I did the bloods as you suggested.

I’ll try increasing my levo to 87.5 and leave testing for 8-10 weeks.

Thank you so much for your prompt reply much appreciated

[hobbycat]

I’ve posted very recently a situ like yours. Just to say I felt suddenly very unwell with low T4 (12.7 in 9-19 range). I’ve just added 12.5mcg and after 2 days the huge unwellness has shifted massively. It looks like you’ve already got some good advice on this post. Good luck.

[Gwelos in reply to hobbycat]

Thanks hobbycat for your input I hope it works that way for me