I was diagnosed with an under active thyroid some six years ago. Initially the medication (Levothyroxine) made me feel much better and despite needing one small increase two years ago things have been fairly stable. However, my symptoms have returned and appear to be worse than ever (scaly skin, fatigue, brain fog) and myweight has increased by 12lbs - and I’ve been the same weight pretty much for more than 20 years, I’m 48, 5’3” and now weigh 9st 12lbs. I used to be able to exercise regularly but I currently struggle to walk the dog, and can’t seem to energise myself at all. My recent results are within range and the GP carried out further tests and found nothing out of the ordinary…but I wonder if there’s anything else I can do.? I take the medication at the same time every morning and observe the no caffeine/food rule for half an hour.
TSH 0.78/FT4 19.4/FT3 3.9
100mcg Levo.
Thanks
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Alwaystired2
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I see your results TSH 0.78/FT4 19.4/FT3 3.9 & that doctor tells you they are in range.But what’s the range? Ranges vary between labs & you need them for every test.
FT3 looks low (by some ranges)
What else was tested? Ferritin, folate, vitamin D & B12 are useful to know were they tested?
For testing its recommend you :
book blood draw for thyroid early in morning.
Fast overnight,
delay levo until after
Avoid biotin supplements 3 days before (can skew results)
Ranges with my results in brackets TSH, 0.27- 4.2 (0.78); FT4, 12-22 (19.4); FT3, 3.1-6.8 (3.9).
Test was under all conditions listed, I currently take vitamin c and vitamin d but not until midday. I think the brand has always been the same, certainly last couple of years.
You’re not converting very well to FT3 & it’s very low in range.
Testing key nutrients & making sure they are optimal is next step.
I think it recommended levo is only taken with water & food, drink, supplements & other medications are left for more than an hour. For certain things it should be 4 hours.
Dr is usually thorough with tests, all vitamin, etc came back in range and I always observe the fasting, early blood test rule, he says I don’t have Hashimoto’s but not sure if/when that was tested.
Ranges with my results in brackets TSH, 0.27- 4.2 (0.78); FT4, 12-22 (19.4); FT3, 3.1-6.8 (3.9).
your T3 result looks low but difficult to say how low without the ranges. If I was you I’d look into checking your vitamin levels for D, B12, ferritin and folate. Id also check to see how well you are converting from T4 levothyroxine to the most important hormone T3. With low T3 results you will struggle with your energy levels and feel hypothyroidism symptoms, which there are many. You could also check to see if you have the DIO2 gene fault. You can get it done privately through Regenerous Laboratories for about £169. If it’s positive you’ll need T3 liothyronine medication. I did this as my story started very similar to yours. My DIO2 was positive. I ended up where I could barely walk. It seemed to affect my skeletal muscles. I just had no energy. Id been on levothyroxine for over a decade but just got worse gradually. I went private and got T3 liothyronine medication added to my normal levothyroxine dose also. It was a real game changer. Suddenly I felt years younger and full of energy. And I lost the piles of weight I put on very quickly which was down to very slow metabolism due to being under medicated. The quickest route to identify and resolve unfortunately is private. NHS will take an age to sort it if they ever do. If you ld like details of my private only endocrinologist please just message me.
Dr is usually thorough with tests, all vitamin, etc came back in range and I always observe the fasting, early blood test rule, he says I don’t have Hashimoto’s but not sure if/when that was tested. Ranges with my results in brackets TSH, 0.27- 4.2 (0.78); FT4, 12-22 (19.4); FT3, 3.1-6.8 (3.9).I take vitamin C and D daily.
I’ve not come across the gene fault and I’m happy to go privately I just need to get to the bottom of why I literally have zero energy no matter how much sleep I get and I’m otherwise healthy.
your T3 is low. T3 is where you get your energy from. Where we all do. You might need to add some T3 liothyronine to boost your T3. When I added T3 suddenly I had loads more energy. Your T4 is high in its range but only converting a small amount to the most important hormone T3. Id look into your T3 side of things. Ask one of the administrators for the calculator to work out how much you are converting I think Slowdragon could help you out with that
For me going gluten free helps. It makes a huge difference with brain fog. Definitely helps with tiredness. It’s not a miracle cure, but for me it helps. It was suggested to me by a gp, like you I wanted to know what else I could do to help myself and recommend going gluten free.
Going gluten free means having zero gluten. A reduced gluten diet just ain’t going to cut it.
For some gluten free can also help with weight.
I felt a small improvement in about a week, then more after a month.
Good luck hun, I hope you get to the bottom of this. xx
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Blood results after 14 months on NDT
Is Levo dosage increased in relation to weight?
Big weight lost but still exhausted. Has anyone else experienced this?
Weight increase 
