You have Hashi's, so the high results might have nothing to do with your dose of levo. You could be coming down from a Hashi's 'hyper' swing, or it could just be a slight hiccup variation. Labs aren't 100% reliable with Hashi's.
If I were you, I would stop my levo for a few days, and see how you feel - you'll probably feel great because people usually do when they first stop their levo, but sooner or later the symptoms start returning. That's when you start levo again - possibly 25 mcg less than you took before, and see if you feel the need to increase it again.
But, do this on your own. Don't get your doctor involved because they don't understand Hashi's. And, if they reduce your prescription, they might not want to increase it again!
Your high cholesterol is suggesting that your normal level of circulation T3 is too low, so that too could suggest that it's the Hashi's to blame, rather than your dose of levo.
What is the range for the ferritin? And what are the numbers for CRP? Restless legs is often a sign that ferritin is actually too low. Low ferritin could cause hair-loss, too. So, I'm wondering if your ferritin actually is too high.
Thank you so much. I thankfully did feel to have no levo for few days and start again when I feel I should. Glad you clarified that for me. T3 is 6.13 pmol/l? They said high normal? CRP is 2.74 mg/l. Ferritin is 181 ug/l which shows over 150? Hair loss is not good. Bless you !
So, FT3 is not over-range, then. But might still be too high for you as an individual. Your CRP is middling, isn't it. But, your ferritin isn't high enough to worry about, I don't think.
Yeah, I'm 5ft 2 and 54kgs lol. CRP definitely is middling. I thought my ferritin was crazy high but I'm not that clued up on everything. 🤗 Thank you all so much for your time and input. I feel very blessed!
Hi. Thanks I will have a look at that. Supplements I take are probiotics (been constipated for months), Vitamin E (full 8 tochotrienols and tocopherols).Vitamin D was 86 nmol/l and B12 129 pmol/l.
Celiac done a while back and came back negative. Not on a strict gluten free or dairy free as I tried and it made very little difference. Test done at 09:14 and no levo 24hrs before. Same brand Levo and it's Northstar. Yes defo reducing by 25mcg. Thank you!
Cholesterol is 7.92 and I don't want to take statins.
Then don't. Nobody can force you to take anything, and that includes statins. My cholesterol has been higher than yours, but I've always refused statins. You might find the following links of interest.
Note the reference to hypothyroidism on this link from the NHS :
Yes my total cholesterol is slightly over range too, but looking at individual numbers, my HDL is also over range. In theory if I had the minimum of what they refer to often as the 'good cholesterol' HDL I'd be nearer to NHS range of <5 ! Which wouldnt make sense just to meet a number, especially as my thyroid results aren't stable yet. My Serum cholesterol/HDL ratio is OK but they don't seem to comment on that, just the total being over range.
I didn't ask to see my results which I should have done but looking at your message, I didn't even know anything about serum cholesterol. Every day is a school day regarding health especially. Thank you.
You are entitled to see your results as they are legally yours. If your surgery has an electeonic syatem you can see them on there together with their ranges. Its important to know where they are within a given range.
For those on levo TSH needs to be one or below, FT4 needs to be in topvthird of range and FT3 in topvhalf, but we are all different and what suits one may not suit another.
If you dont hqve access just ask for a form to complete. You can also use the NHS App. You can also adk for a printout which is free of charge and its good to keep copies to see how things are going over time.
Never accept normal or otherwise over the phone.
The problem is drs are not trained in the reading of blood tests especially thyroid ones and they doont know the word 'optimal'.
Yes true, I just didn't bother to ask for them. To be honest I was feeling fed up with all the things going wrong in my system but we press on! So true, Docs sure don't know the word Optimal!! Thank you and best wishes to you too Jane.
Yes it's hard isn't it, along with my total cholesterol results I had HDL, LDL, triglycerides and then a cholesterol/HDL ratio. I'm noting them down along with everything else, I just read up why not to take statins especially as a female with thyroid issue, in case some random new GP in future had a statin obsession! Hasn't happened yet though, even before my diagnosis.
I just read this study and it is fascinating. I have been hypothyroid, probably Hashi though no doctor has said this, for 55 years, am now 75, and was just diagnosed with lichen sclerosis. I have also had several tick bites this spring so far and the article draws a possible connection between tick diseases and the onset of LS. My endo also just reduced my dose of Armour in half so am on the lowest dose I have ever been on. Thanks for posting this.
Yes I tho7ght so too, I just wish drs and endos would take thyroid disease and associated diseases more seriously instead of just thinking its easy to treat with the NHS so-called 'gold standard' tablet levothyroxine!
May be send to your endo and doc, it wont do them any harm to read/research?!
Yes, I am going to do that once the skin biopsy comes back to confirm it is LS. It certainly seems to fit the signs but as we both know, doctors want to see the test.
Do a web search for "Do statins work for women" and decide for yourself.
Nothing would persuade me to take them.
My brain has enough problems without me removing one of the main ingredients needed for it i.e. cholesterol.
Also I have lots of health problems and I'm not going to take another drug which I consider completely unnecessary which will make me feel even worse than I already do.
so hope you feel some improvement soon , i have had many of these issues and it can be so dispiriting. I really wanted to add my ongoing thanks to all who reply with knowledge and links of interest, this really is a great forum.
Thank you. I actually do feel better this morning not having taken any Levo yesterday. And Yes, this is an amazing forum and a huge thanks to all who reply indeed! What better way to benefit by sharing one's experience, results and wisdom to help others. We are blessed and very grateful! Have a fab Friday.
Could some of these things be separate issues? Eg the sore eyes. I suffer from blepharitis, and it needs checking out as if so, it can get very bad. Sleep is another of my long-term problems but try the downloadable Sleepio programme (also to be found on a mainstream type PC as this is what the NHS is recommending as better than sleeping pills.
Hi Trill. Eyes could be separate but I think the white lumps on my bottom eyelid could well be related to cholesterol. I went to Boots to check one Sunday but they told me to massage them with warm water often and if it didn't change then to go back. I haven't gotten back yet. Think they assume it's oil blockage but my eyes don't make the natural oils anymore. I'm thinking that my sleep issues could well be too much levo as well but time will tell. Thanks for letting me know about the sleepio programme. Have a fab day.
Eyes is linking with Hashi. My Hashimoto start from Graves-Basedova. My TSH was 0,0002 but TPO 1002. Whan I had dry eye, too big to clouse and I must use eye drops. My weight goes down and I couldn’t stayed in one place.After few year my TSH was on good level.
After next 10 years without any symptoms, I slept 16-18 hours per day. Waight goes up, very high;).
Now, we are linking to the end. Me and Hashimoto.
In my opinion, worse is than pharmacy gives different brands of levothyroxine. After few years I know this brands I must use more like GP prescribed and another brand I must use lower dose.
2-3 years I lost sleeping. I don’t know why GP do not prescribe brand of levothyroxine.
Thank you for your info. I'm off on holiday in couple of days so I'm hoping some sunshine and sand will do me the world of good too. Hope you get better soon too! Take care.
Hi I have also had issues with lichen sclerosus and dry, sore eyes and dry mouth.
I discovered that when I stopped taking the Teva brand that my mouth became less dry but my eyes, sadly, didn’t. I do feel better off Teva, in all ways.
I wonder how you feel on days when you haven’t eaten sugar / drank alcohol the day previous? I feel worse and more foggy headed. In my case it doesn’t seem to be a diabetes problem - glucose levels seem OK - but I wonder whether candida overgrowth is a feature.
Do you have any problem with reflux?
Gum health? UTIs?
I seem to only have questions for you and observations from my own health, not (yet) for yours, but I am glad to see lots of good suggestions and ideas for you here.
And if not, see how a two-four sachet a day course of Laxido for a few days makes you feel. Constipation can make you feel very unwell if not properly treated.
Hi Geogeor. Laxido never worked and my feeling was that it was due to high ferritin levels (after finding out after blood checks) I started taking probiotics and physillium husks and having more chia seeds etc and it's been much better. Thank you so much.😃
Hi Geogeor, sorry only replying now. Constipation I take physillium husks, chia seeds etc and still not much joy. Laxido I don't like and doesn't help. I think it may be my meds not right and high ferritin etc. Speaking to Doc beginning of July. Thank you.
Well after getting my bloods back from Medichecks on 1st June and speaking to my GP, she suggested we do tests in July (I was away on holiday, she was away on holiday). My concerns were doing a liver function test, folate (medichecks couldn't as it was a finger prick test) checking TSH (medichecks suggested dose of Levo was too high) and doing another cholesterol test (last done in April and way too high), prescribing statins (not taking) and Ferritin (it was too high). Went to nurse to take bloods and doctor had only requested Thyroid meds!! I had specifically requested the other blood checks and it was obviously discounted. I was a bit shocked and frustrated as I did not understand the reason of my request being ignored. I called for a copy of TSH results and of course I got the receptionist telling me when I phoned in, "Everything is fine". Got my copy and TSH is 1.73 mU/L. I do remember the Doctor saying Ferritin is often high with autoimmune disease! (Hashimoto). Maybe she did not do cholesterol as I decided against the statins. Who knows, I give up! Hair loss worst it's ever been and sleep been awful but they somehow totally ignore the fact when I bring it up!
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