Hyperthyroid

[myfanwy1945]

I am definitely hyperthyroid. Don't know what to do now. I have been cutting my 100mcg tablets in half. I don't think I would get much help from my GP, who refused to diagnose me!

Should I ask for an appointment?

[PurpleNails Administrator]

What is your TSH, FT4 & FT3. Have these been tested?

When replacement level incorrect you can feel unwell.

[myfanwy1945 in reply to PurpleNails]

TSH is 0.01 T4 is 30 and T3 is 8.9

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to myfanwy1945]

So TSH suppressed and are FT4 & FT3 over range? They are by most ranges we see, do you have ranges to add.

So your GP knew you had undetectable TSH and over-range FT4 & FT3 and didn’t tell you to reduce dose?

[greygoose]

No, you can't be hyperthyroid, because you've been on levo for 10 years, which means you're hypothyroid. However, you could be over-medicated...

BUT, what time was the blood draw for this test?

How long was the gap between your last dose of levo and the blood draw?

Do you have Hashi's?

How much levo are you taking now?

All these questions are important to know what's going on.

If you've been on the same dose for 10 years, with no problem, then either you accidentally took your levo before the blood draw. OR you're having a Hashi's 'hyper' swing. OR there's lab error in the testing.

[myfanwy1945 in reply to greygoose]

Not sure if I have Hashi's. Blooddraw was taken very early in the morning. At present, I am taking 100mcg of Levothyroxine. At present, I am cutting my tablets in half, so taking 50mcg per day. Don't know about the errormin testing.

[greygoose in reply to myfanwy1945]

I think you must have Hashi's to have the FT4 that high on 50 mcg levo. That's only a starter dose. However, it does depend how long you left between your last dose of levo and the blood draw. You didn't answer that question.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Get full thyroid and vitamin testing via Medichecks or Blue horizon 6-8 weeks after reducing dose levothyroxine

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

ALWAYS test thyroid levels early Monday or Tuesday early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

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

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Come back with new post once you get results

[Hedgeree in reply to SlowDragon]

SlowDragon,

From reading their earlier posts if I've understood correctly it seems that myfanwy1945 doesn't have a diagnosis from their gp. They have been self sourcing levo for ten years after seeing Dr Skinner previously.

Not sure if this makes a difference to any suggestions offered?

[myfanwy1945 in reply to Hedgeree]

I did see Dr Skinner, because my GP would not diagnose me. At present I take 1000mg vitamin D3, 1000mg of vitamin b12 and 400 mg of Folic Acid. I used to take Zinc but have now let that go. I always take the same brand of Levo. I will try to get a test for vitamin D3.

[myfanwy1945 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you - I will!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to myfanwy1945]

So when did you last test vitamin levels

Vitamin D dose unlikely high enough

Better to take a vitamin B complex that contains folate than separate B12 and folic acid

If taking vitamin D, it’s advisable to also supplement magnesium (minimum 4 hours away from levothyroxine)

But ……Get tested first

We need all four vitamins at GOOD levels for good conversion of Ft4 to Ft3

Come back with new post once you get full results

Are you gluten free or dairy free?

[myfanwy1945 in reply to SlowDragon]

I'm not gluten free or dairy free. I will definitely get vitamin levels tested! Thank you.

[myfanwy1945 in reply to SlowDragon]

I am sure, you're right. I think my vitamin D is too low. Had a test many yeras ago and my level was 11.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to myfanwy1945]

You should always test vitamin D twice year when supplementing

Test folate, ferritin and B12 annually

Come back with new post once you get results

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you always self source same brand levothyroxine

Extremely important when self medicating to get full thyroid and vitamin testing done yourself at least once a year

Testing vitamin D twice year

Come back with new post once you get results

[myfanwy1945]

You wouldn't believe how uncop-operative GPs are. Had to vitually beg, and I had all the symptoms. I read somewhere that GPs only get 20 minutes training on Thyroid problems. Is this true?

[myfanwy1945]

Thank you all so very much for all your comments. They are very helpful.

[eeng]

If cutting your 100mcg pill in half is inconvenient you could just take the pills on alternate days. Levothyroxine averages itself out.

[myfanwy1945 in reply to eeng]

I didn't thnk of that (silly me). Thank you very much!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to myfanwy1945]

If you are over medicated…..you only want to reduce dose levothyroxine at maximum of 25mcg per day on average

Cut a 100mcg in half to get 50mcg

Take 100mcg and 50mcg alternate days to average at 75mcg daily

Some people find they notice if take different dose different days

If want/need to take 75mcg every day

Cut 100mcg into 1/4’s to get 25mcg

Cut 100mcg in half to get 50mcg

Whichever you do

Retest after 6-8 weeks

cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

But meanwhile get vitamin levels tested and optimal

[myfanwy1945 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for that advice. I will get everything tested in 6-8 weeks. I will cut my tablets into 1/4.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to myfanwy1945]

Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease (hashimoto’s)

Ever had high thyroid antibodies at any previous tests?

If you don’t know if you have high thyroid antibodies, include getting these tested

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

[myfanwy1945 in reply to SlowDragon]

I will do as you suggest!

[myfanwy1945]

am not sure which version I have, but my Mum dies of Addisons disease. She was only 39.

[myfanwy1945]

Doctor insisted I have a blood test forAddisonsDisease,which my Mum died of. She was only 39.