Advice on blood results based on increase.

[Peanut31]

Hello

I increased my thyroid medication as I have been struggling, I’ve been freezing cold, suffering from anxiety and weight gain.

Back in June 2022 I started on HRT as I was having peri menopausal symptoms, and started on one pump of Oestrogel , and 200mcg nightly of Progesterone 14 days on, 14 days off, based on my menopause clinic I upped it to 2 pumps in December.

I have to say before I had covid December 2019, and then entering peri menopausal I felt good on my thyroid medication.

As not feeling great, I decided to increased my thyroid medication based on my

1st November 2022, results being:

TSH 0.02 (0.27-4.2)

T3 4.7 (3.1-6.8)

T4 (12-22)

Those results above were based on me taking:

2 grains NDT & 25mcg of levo.

I decided are per advice here to increase my NDT so I took an extra 1/4 grain of NDT daily.

New Dosage being 2 & 1/4 grains of NDT and 25mcg levo.

I haven’t been feeling great on this, I have had headaches, vision funny, fast heart rate, and freezing cold, tearful and anxious.

Through out my thyroid journey I have never been able to feel warm.

I’ve tried Levo alone via my GP, this didn’t work, T3 with the guidance of Paul Robinson that was terrible and just didn’t suit me, so settled on NDT & Levo.

Before I took the latest test below, I suspected my T3 was high as I seem to feel jittery and anxious when my T3 is high and recognise how I felt on T3 alone.

It was suggested (not here) that I need to carry out a reverse T3 blood test and try and trial T3.

Now I don’t know if I’m being stupid, but why would I need more T3 if my T3 results are higher in range?

Here are January 2023 results:

TSH 0.02 (0.27-4.2)

T3 6.1 (3.1-6.8)

T4 13.9 (12-22)

Symptoms on above result FREEZING, anxiety forgetfulness. As you can see my T3 results and T4 have responded well, but I don’t feel great.

I have reduced my HRT (oestrogel) to half a pump a day, as after doing further research I’m wondering if with being peri menopausal it’s too much for me.

I’ve have spoken to a menopausal specialist and they have said try this.

What is also interesting, is I’ve lost weight since cutting the gel back. I will continue on my Progesterone tablets as I am aware this stops the lining of the womb thickening.

I’m now thinking to add a further 12.5mcg of levo to my dosage and stop the the 1/4 grain of NDT.

What amounts of T3 & T4 are in 1/4 grain of Thiroyd?

All bloods were taken 6.50am no levo 24 hours before and 8 hour gap on NDT.

I supplement

Vitamin D with K2

Magnesium

Cod liver oil

Selenium

Vitamin C

Vitamin E

Folate

Can anyone see something I can’t?

Best wishes

Peanut31

[SlowDragon Administrator]

looking at your profile

Your gluten free

Are you also dairy free

Which brand is 25mcg levothyroxine

Yes agree next step try increasing levothyroxine

when were vitamin levels last tested

[Peanut31 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi slowDragon

Pleased you have replied as you have helped me in the past.

The brand of levo is 25mcg is wockhart.

Yes I’m gluten free have been for years as per advice on here and really helped.

Not dairy free though as did cut this out but didn’t see any benefits.

I’ll be honest not tested my vitamin levels for ages. Do you think it’s my iron levels feeling the cold?

What you suggest testing all vitamins?

I’m thinking my whole hormones have been buggared up being peri menopausal and with HRT, and getting covid.

I’ve got long covid as I still can’t taste or smell fully, this was back in December 2019.

Best wishes

Peanut31

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Peanut31]

it’s essentially to test vitamin levels at least annually

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

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

cheapest including antibodies

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65 

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies) 

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here 

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

ideally test vitamin D twice year

Use this if not testing other vitamins

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

[Peanut31 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon

Thank you for all the links reference vitamin testing.

I will organise this once back from my holidays.

Once again thank you for all the information.

Best wishes

Peanut31

[Jazzw]

I have an inkle (it’s a little inkling ) your symptoms may not have much to do with your levels of thyroid hormone—at least, not by themselves.

I think it would be interesting to know what your Vit B12, folate and iron levels are doing.

Have you had of those tested recently?

[Peanut31 in reply to Jazzw]

Hi Jazzw

Im going to test all my vitamin levels once I’m back from my holiday.

Best wishes

Peanut31

[Hidden]

Peanut, You may need your T4&T3 levels to be more evenly balanced.

Yes T3 is the active hormone and most feel better with higher levels but more does not necessarily equal better. Lots of members here need their T's balanced.

[Peanut31 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the advice.

Will up my levo and get my vitamins tested as not done them for a while.

Best wishes

Peanut31