I’m sorry I’m so unsure of what my figures should be - little background info - approx 25 years ago had thyroid removed due to multinodular goiters - 6years ago had Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (discharged with clear arteries) which my doctor indicated could be due to too much thyroxine so reduced me from 125mg to 100mg - I have since tried to have it increased due to symptoms and was allowed an additional 25mg 2 days a week - fast forward to August’21 where I had a knee replacement op which was successful but November’21 collapsed at home and taken to hospital for an emergency stent due to artery blockage - in March’22 with a space of over 24hours without thyroxine my yearly blood test was:
TSH - 3.24 0.34 - 5.60mu/L
T3 - 4.3 4.30 - 6.80pmol/L
T4 15.7 7.70 - 15.10pmol/L
Vit B12 >1500 >160.00ng/L
Ferritin 141 11.00 - 307ug/L
Folate 16.7 3.80 - 25.00ug/L
Not tested for Vitamin D
I take Betterforyou vitamin D3000 spray and have stopped vitamin B12 as results appeared to be over - also on statins,blood pressure tabs and diabetic type 2 since thyroid removed on Sitigliptin
My doctor called to to suggest the above readings indicated I could increase my thyroxine to a daily dose of 125mg a day - had blood test around 10am with thyroxine taken 25hours previously
Latest bloods taken May’22
TSH 3.17 0.34 - 5.u/L
T3 4.5 4.30 - 6.80pmol/L
T4 12.1 7.70 - 15.10pmol/L
B12 427 >160ng/L
Vit D 125 ?
Folate 6.2 3.80 - 25.00ug/L
No result for Ferritin this time
Doctor has reviewed and said all results are acceptable
My symptoms are cold hands and feet - if I walk for more than 3mins my shoulders,arms,hips start to become so painful I need to stop before continuing -suspected statin so have changed brand but thinking back have had the pains for a long time which has worsened over the years - dry skin , obviously weight gain despite cooking from scratch and going to Slimming World! Lost 2stone last year by being on 800 calorie replacement meal but not sustainable long term and have this year put 14lbs back on
I am so sorry that this post is so long but I’ve no idea what’s right or wrong anymore so would you please offer your excellent advice on best way forward TIA
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PJP1
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Thorne Basic B or Jarrow B Right are recommended options that contains folate, but both are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months.
once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
I take my thyroxine at my bedtime with Rovastatin 5mg which is usually between midnight & 1.00am - I usually have a small snack around 9pm of a biscuit bar or something similar - my evening dinner is usually between 5:30 - 6:30
I haven't tried a gluten free diet but will consider this
I'm am having a face to face appointment with the doctor that called me after my March'21 blood draw to advise my thyroxine levels needed tweaking so he agreed as I was taking 100mgs a day with an extra 25mgs for 2 days I could increase to 125mgs every day - as he appeared to be approachable to thyroxine increase will request the suggested 12.5mgs when I see him on 20/6/22
I don't believe that I've ever had a coeliac blood test - maybe also suggest this to the doctor at appointment
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.
Statin should be at least 2 hours away from levothyroxine minimum
Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away
(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)
Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime
If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
REMEMBER.....very important....stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS as biotin can falsely affect test results - eg vitamin B complex
Hi, cannot think of any distress or overly stressed - the incident occurred upon my returning to work on 29/12/15 - had usual Christmas rush but had the day before just chilling and doing nothing so have no idea what caused it
6years ago had Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (discharged with clear arteries) which my doctor indicated could be due to too much thyroxine so reduced me from 125mg to 100mg
It could also have been due to too little thyroxine (which is more likely). You are now very under-medicated.
Latest bloods taken May’22
TSH 3.17 (0.34 - 5.u/L)
T3 4.5 (4.30 - 6.80pmol/L)
T4 12.1 (7.70 - 15.10pmol/L)
B12 427 >160ng/L
Vit D 125 ?
Folate 6.2 3.80 - 25.00ug/L
No result for Ferritin this time
Doctor has reviewed and said all results are acceptable
Well, I wouldn't accept them. And, I doubt he would, either, if they were his. Your TSH is much too high. Was this test also done at 10 am?
Your FT3 is much too low - only just scraping into the range. And that's why you have symptoms. T3 is the active hormone needed by every single cell in your body to function correctly.
Your FT4 isn't too bad, but you still need an increase in dose to get that FT3 up higher.
No range for vit D? If you are taking vit D, are you also taking its cofactors: magnesium and vit K2-MK7? Very important to do so.
Your folate is too low, should be at least mid-range.
Your B12 is also too low. Stupid to have a range with not top number! And the lowest number is much too low. B12 should be at least over 550.
You say you're taking statins, so presumably your cholesterol is high. Your cholesterol is high because your FT3 is so low. You don't need statins, you need a decent dose of thyroid hormone replacement to bring your FT3 level up. Statins are useless for women, anyway, and not at all recommended for hypos. They could very well be adding to your symptoms.
obviously weight gain despite cooking from scratch and going to Slimming World! Lost 2stone last year by being on 800 calorie replacement meal but not sustainable long term and have this year put 14lbs back on
If your weight-gain is due to your low FT3 - which it more than likely is - no diet in the world is going to make you lose it and keep it off. Living on only 800 calories a day probably made your hypo worse because you need calories to convert T4 to T3 - as well as for everything else you do! Weight-gain and difficulty losing it are hypo symptoms, and you need optimal T3 to over-come them. Slimming World is not healthy, anyway. It is based on low/no-fat, which is very unhealthy. The body needs fat. And, I suspect that some of their own brand food products contain soy, which is an absolute no-no for hypos.
So, the way forward is to increase your levo until you get your TSH down to around 1, and then test FT4 and FT3 together, to see how well you convert.
Yes, well, I wouldn't take too much notice of those comments about adequate, etc. Your vit D is fine at 125, but B12 is too low. Should be at least over 550.
Sorry, I can't recommend any brands of magnesium or K2. Just don't get magnesium oxide.
With magnesium, it depends what you want it to do which one you chose:
Magnesium citrate: mild laxative, best for constipation.
Magnesium taurate: best for cardiovascular health.
Magnesium malate: best for fatigue – helps make ATP energy.
Magnesium glycinate: most bioavailable and absorbable form, non-laxative.
Magnesium chloride: for detoxing the cells and tissues, aids kidney function and can boost a sluggish metabolism.
Magnesium carbonate: good for people suffering with indigestion and acid reflux as it contains antacid properties.
Worst forms of magnesium: oxide, sulphate, glutamate and aspartate.
Statins should not be prescribed for people with hypothyroidism - nor for women, come to that. It wasn't the cholesterol that caused your heart attack. Cholesterol doesn't do that, despite what they think. More likely to have been inflammation caused by being under-medicated. Cholesterol is not the problem they make it out to be, they just want to sell statins.
If you're going to start taking B12, you also need to take a B complex. All the Bs work together and need to be kept balanced.
Just because the doctor prescribes something for you, there's no law that says you have to take it. If you don't want it, don't take it. It's your body, your health and your life. And, if any doctor told me I should be taking a statin for any reason, s/he'd better be wearing fire-proof underwear!
The best B complex, as far as I know, is Thorn's Basic B. It contains just B vits and nothing but B vits, and it has the forms of B12 and folate that are the easiest to absorb: methylcobalamin and methylfolate.
Thank you - I don't intend to attempt 800 calories again - will look into a gluten free diet though - mu husband used to work at a flour mills and I used to dread him working with gluten as it stuck like glue to his clothes!!
The majority of us on this forum have found that most GPs/doctors have no clue about clinical symptoms. Despite the number of medical professionals I consulted, none knew if the patient had a problem with their thyroid gland.
Our 'older doctors' knew all of the clinical symptoms and a patient would be diagnosed upon them and given NDTs (natural dessicated thyroid hormones) now withdrawn by the BTA for some unknown reason.
The majority of GPs seem to have little knowledge either (I have found that out to my cost and if I hadn't found Thyroiduk goodness knows where I would be by now. Thyroiduk also have a website with helpful advice.
Good morning PJ. The problem with your treatment is the lack of T3. T4 should never be given on it's own (levothyroxine). If the T4 doesn't convert properly then it will sit in the blood so T3 must be given to get through to the cells. Have you had your adrenals checked? I have been running a helpline for 25 years now and have recently written a book, hopefully it will be out soon to help many. Please dm me if you want me to go through your personal experience with this. Its always adrenals, thyroid, diet, exercise... in that order. Blood tests are very unreliable as they only tell how much thyroid hormone in the blood and not in the cells. The TSH is worthless for diagnosis, however, the reading should never be more than 2. 1.5 to 2 is the correct reading... heart problems can results if it is too high.
I have only ever been prescribed levothyroxine since my thyroid removal over 25 years ago - have never been offered T3 - I cannot remember my adrenals being checked but will mention to doctor at my appointment on 20/6/22
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