Good morning everyone! I am seeing the NHS Endo this Thursday (30th June). I am quite anxious about it all. I have been on T3 since March this year and the improvement was significant, even though I am on 12.5mcg only so far but hoping to build it up. T3 prescribed by Private Doctor.
However, in the last 5 weeks or so, I may have missed at least 4 or 5 times to take my medication.
I worry that the test result that she will request will come back worse than it should be and that will give her reasons to believe that the medication (T3) is not working.
I know it is working since the biggest improvement of it was the fact that I was no longer permanently cold. I could not believe it. I have been living all my life not enjoying outdoors experiences that much since I had to go wrapped from head to toes despite the weather and now, I don't even need a vest most days.
What advice you can give me to overcome any difficulties on the Endo visit, if for some reason, T3 is not prescribed?
Thanking you in advance
Carla
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Carlax
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I worry that the test result that she will request will come back worse than it should be and that will give her reasons to believe that the medication (T3) is not working.
Nah, that's not how it works. Blood tests for thyroid hormone levels cannot tell you if your 'medication' (thyroid hormone replacement) is 'working', your symptoms tell you that. The blood test will tell you if you're taking enough and/or how well you're absorbing it. Just make sure you don't miss any more doses between then and now, and that your last dose of T3 is 8 to 12 hours before the blood draw.
But, of course, you are shooting yourself in the foot by missing doses like that, because T3 will only do what you want it to do by taking the same dose every single day. So, you do need to be more careful in future.
Thanks greygoose. I have been on T4 for 26 years and I have never had much of a trouble keeping on top of it. However, lately and due to the fact that I am on iron and B Complex supplements plus the time breaks between food intake and T3 and T4, I am struggling to fit it in a regular timetable. The moment I move the intake to accommodate for a work lunch or a slight change of timetable...then I forget. Once I have forgotten, the following day, I dont take the missed dosage and the current one. I just take the current day dosage is that the right way?
One of the days, I completely forgot about it altogether. I have not mentioned it here or said anything to the doctors yet but I am getting really worried about my memory and the brain fog. I am 47 and I should not have these gaps before. I have had brain fog for years (all my life since I started T4) despite working full time as an executive director but my memory was spot on until now.
Not sure if it is something that is common to everyone else but taking the advantage, if I may, of the latest post to link this memory concern in.
the following day, I dont take the missed dosage and the current one. I just take the current day dosage is that the right way?
Probably, but I'm not sure on that one. Although you could take it later the same day, if you remember.
Brain fog is a hypo symptom. The brain needs a hell of a lot of T3, but it prefers to convert its own from T4. Are you still taking Levo? How much of each are you taking? What were your last blood test results?
I would like to thank you all for your time on my issue. The appointment is tomorrow and I am extremely anxious about it but less so than before I engaged with yourselves this week. It is not right for a grown woman to feel anxious about an appointment with the Endo but I guess, they know what they know and they may not know any better so if I get a NO from her, I will just have to keep fighting.
Thanks a lot indeed for everything. I feel less lonely on this!!
I think an awful lot of people - hypo or otherwise - get very nervous about any sort of doctor appointment. It's never a pleasure! I get extremely stressed. But, then, I get stressed about most things.
Have you done FULL thyroid and vitamin testing to take results to the consultation - I know she is going to do a full test so I thought that there was no benefit on me getting the test done prior.
Do you split T3 as 2 x 1/4 tablet? I split the T3 in half. I am only taking 12.5mcgrs at the moment.
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking? My stomach is quite tender and I have gone for the easiest forms to be absorbed. Once my stomach settles, I will go for less pricey alternatives. I have been taking them for 6 weeks now.
* B-12 - I am getting injections monthly (privately).
* B Complex - Altrient B Liposomal Vitamin B
* Iron - Iron with honey de Ana Maria de la Justicia
* Vitamin C - Collagen with Magnesium and Vitamin C Ana Maria de la Justicia
When were vitamin levels last tested? I have not tested them since I started the supplements back in April- May 22 when I contacted you for advice.
My number one struggle now is following a timetable for food, supplements and T3 and T4 making sure that I follow the right breaks between intakes. My timetable work wise cannot be regular all the time so I am really finding it difficult. Any advice?
Many endocrinologist don’t do full testing - I am going to try my best to get it from her.
Obviously you ideally want test early morning, before 9am - The appointment with her is at 9 am so the blood test is likely to be around 10 ish
T3
So you’re taking T3 just as one 12.5mcg dose per day - Yes
Have you tried taking as 1/4 tablet twice a day - No. I will be a bit against it only because I am struggling with my food and meds timetable. I dont seem to find one that suit me. I am finding it extra hard to keep up with the meds and making sure that they are 1 hour min away from food or supplement intakes. It is driving me crazy if I am honest with you. I love diary and also my meals cannot be on set times half of the days. Any suggestion? Is it just me making it too complicated?
T4
When do you take your levothyroxine - I started to take it at night time in March this year. At the same time as I incorporated my T3 into my meds. You are making me realise that maybe I should have stuck to taking my T4 in the morning. I see that I made two big changes and it is not good to monitor improvement.
How much and which brand - The 100 mcgrs is Accord and the 25 mcgrs is Teva. Is there a brand that seem to be better absorb than the others. I have not been diagnose with any stomach or intolerance issue but in the last year I know my digestion is not the same for some reason and it is getting worse.
Thanks for your help SlowDragon. It is very much appreciated. I am in a critical point in my life...if the brain fog carries on like this, I will not be able to keep my job for much longer and that will be very bad for me, as I need the money.
If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient. If symptoms or poor control of thyroid function persist (despite adhering to a specific product), consider prescribing levothyroxine in an oral solution formulation.
Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).
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
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.
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)
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
Personally I split my levothyroxine into 2 doses waking and bedtime, and T3 into 3 doses, waking, mid afternoon and bedtime
Hi SlowDragon, Thanks for the info. So you mind critiquing the timetable that I am trying to follow? Are the gaps between food and supplements ok? Feel free to suggest a different way to organise stuff
I would like to thank you all for your time on my issue. The appointment is tomorrow and I am extremely anxious about it but less so than before I engaged with yourselves this week. It is not right for a grown woman to feel anxious about an appointment with the Endo but I guess, they know what they know and they may not know any better so if I get a NO from her, I will just have to keep fighting.
Thanks a lot indeed for everything. I feel less lonely on this!!
Thanks slowdragon. I will read your profile now. Again you make me feel better about everything since it is 26 years since my operation and I am now, since I joined, seeing some improvement. As soon as I get re-tested I will get in touch.
Hi SlowDragon, you were right, I am afraid.....The Dr. this morning did not see significant for me to test my vitamin levels based on my last blood test in November.
I will head off to the medicheck site to see what they offer in terms of vitamins testing.
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