Advice on results please

[Mitch27]

I've been on thyroid S for about a year now and cannot find a happy balance. I was on three grains and 25mcg tiromel for these tests. (Started tiromel as T3 was previously low)Since being in thyroid S I'm either over or under medicated . I am constantly lethargic, aches in legs a lot, if I up dose to 4 or 5 it just makes me shake but no difference other than that, if I lower from three grains again no difference ! If I stop altogether which I have done as well I feel no different so I'm not even sure what thyroid replacement meds do for me as for years it's going on. My b12 is ok, D is low but I take supplements... I also take selenium ... Just fed up.

Anyhow this is the results. No parameters on TSH as we know it suppresses anyway

TSH 0.01

T3 6.4 (3.1 - 6.8)

Free T4 10.8 (11 - 25)

Thanks for any input xx

[Lalatoot]

Mitch for me it would be the low ft4 that was causing the problem. Some folks can manage with low ft4 if ft3 is high in range; others need both at least 50% through range and higher.

If those were my results I'd be looking to get ft4 higher while keeping ft3 in range by adjusting the balance of t4 to t3 in the meds I took.

[Mitch27 in reply to Lalatoot]

Thanks a mil... Problem is if I raise ndt I get shakes 😭

[Lalatoot in reply to Mitch27]

I don't know your history so this might not be for you but for me I would lower NDT slightly and add in levo or similar T4 to target the ft4 level. Just increasing NDT would not work as you would be increasing the t3 element of that and maybe what is giving you the shakes. Its all about finding that balance.

[Mitch27 in reply to Lalatoot]

Thanks that's kinda what I was thinking .. I'll just have to ask doc for some T4.. perhaps try another brand 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Imaaan in reply to Mitch27]

Adding in 12.5 mcg T4 could help.

[Mitch27 in reply to Imaaan]

Thanks I'll have a word with GP

[pennyannie]

Hello Mitch :

Looking at your profile you say there ' was a time ' when NDT worked for you.

Do you remember which brand you were taking then and have you any blood tests from that time detailing :- T3 - T4 and ferritin, folate B12 and vitamin D as they might be worth comparing to current results ?

Have you changed any routines, or dosing schedules ?

Personally, I don't bother about my T3 anymore as I feel relatively well and have been on the same dose of NDT for around 5 years - and just arrange a yearly full thyroid panel more to see where my vitamins and minerals sit as I do need to continue supplementing them all along with an adrenal glandular to stay as improved as I am.

[Mitch27 in reply to pennyannie]

No unfortunately no tests from back then. I originally started on ndt 6 years ago when a new doctor said I clearly do not convert T4..I was on 200/220 dose of levo and still felt rubbish . New endo suggested as well but she kept me on levo which surprised my gp who called her up. She explained they no longer prescribed ndt because of cost. I then started research into ndt and self sourced ..started on thyroid, then thyroid S, then TR man .. that was like a magic pill. I felt so much better,lethargy went, most aches went, and I lost two stone without any changes in diet, slowly though. Then of course they stopped producing it 😥 however by that time I was flagging again and if I raised dose I would get terrible tremors . I had to switch to thyroid and since then not great as well as I now have burnt tongue sensation since starting on thyroid S ...🙄🙄 I need to do another vitamin test to see where I'm at. I did do cortisol test twice... Both saying low waking readings with possible Addison's disease but gp poo pooed the results.... Did their own blood test at 10am which obviously gives a different result to awaking cortisol at 6,am.... 😡😡😡😡 What adrenal supplements do you take ? ... I have a problem taking big capsules so I'm fussy with what vitamins I can swallow

[pennyannie in reply to Mitch27]

So if still with the same doctor. as I understand ' the rules " your doctor can prescribe either Armour or Efra on the NHS on a ' named patient only ' prescription.

I failed to get one as my doctor flatly refused NDT and the hospital refused a T3 / T4 combo as my TSH was at 0.01 and post RAI thyroid ablation for Graves Disease and the stress of all this simply exacerbated my Graves so simply started by myself.

The adrenal glandular I take has now not available due to ' new rules on imports ' ??

So, I too will need to look again and will need try another supplier ideally within the UK .

I found the book Your Thyroid and How To It Healthy written by a doctor Barry Durrant-Peatfield very relevant and f the useful in my learning of basic human biology and how everything works together and has been instrumental in my having the courage to go it alone - which was his intention as he wrote the book to equip patients better to self advocate and why he resigned from his profession.

Yes, I've read of many people ' missing TR ' - and it's unfortunate we now just have one option other than buying from the States.

[Mitch27 in reply to pennyannie]

Thanks I'll check out that book. I didn't think doc could prescribe Armour....I thought you could only get it if you were already on it .. I actually tried it and felt really good on it but needed to up the dose which was a huge jump in price so I couldn't afford it hence went onto Thyroid S ..😥

[pennyannie in reply to Mitch27]

Further details of both can be found on the Thyroid UK website who are the charity who support this forum : thyroiduk.org

[Mitch27 in reply to pennyannie]

I emailed admin as as guessed it's not prescribed to new patients only if you were on it when you moved to the practice.🤷🏼‍♀️

[pennyannie in reply to Mitch27]

Ah, so the rules have changed - thank you :

[pennyannie in reply to pennyannie]

Your doctor could write you a private prescription so you can buy Armour or Efra from within the Uk and be sure of a guaranteed supply ?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

you need to test folate and ferritin levels too

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As you have Hashimoto’s are you on strictly gluten free diet and/or dairy free too ?