I’m trying to see if I can improve my T4 to T3 conversion by improving vitamin intake, my GP won’t increase my Levothyroxine as she said TSH is perfect all tests are normal and has diagnosed my ongoing aching lethargy low mood as fibromyalgia.
I’ve started taking Igennus super B complex, should I be adding anything else to help and any ideas on how long to leave before I get next blood test ? 6-8 weeks or leave longer ?
10/01/23 results of private test showing T4and T3 levels
TSH. 2.10 (0.27-4.2) mU/l 46% thro range
Total T4 136 (66-181) nmol/l 60%
FreeT4. 17.1 (12.0-22.0) pmol/l 51%
Free T3. 3.94 (3.1-6.8) pmol/l 22%
B12 291 (145-569) pmol/l
Vit D (25 OH) 106 nmol/l
Folate haemolysed
Ferritin haemolysed
Magnesium 0.91 (0.7-1.0) mol/l
GP test 12/01/23
TSH 1.66. (0.27-4.2) mIU/l 35%
B12 408 ( 180-650). ng/l 48%
folate 3.8 (2.8-15) ug/l. 8,2%
ferritin 221 ( 13-150). ug/l
Previous private tests have shown my T3 to be always under halfway through the range
GP said we don’t go by T3 and won’t do an increase so if I can increase conversion without increasing Levothyroxine will this be beneficial?
currently taking 75mcg mon-sat 100 mcg Sunday.
Thanks in advance for any advice 😊
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Eladee
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Do try a different GP at the same practice. Some are more tricky than others about increasing dose. There is a pinned post about references re getting TSH lower you can show your GP some of those. Also emphasise remaining symptoms and do not back down. Be persistent, make a bit of a nuisance of yourself but nicely!
Thorne Basic B is preferred choice of B complex. There's also another one thats a bit cheaper on Amazon. amazon.co.uk/Yipmai-Liposom...
Guidelines on dose levothyroxine by weight is approximately 1.6mcg levothyroxine per kilo of your weight per day
You’re Ft4 shows you are currently under medicated
Request trial increase to 100mcg daily
Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking
Taking levothyroxine at bedtime can possibly improve absorption and uptake too
Folate and B12 far too low …..because dose levothyroxine is inadequate
You will need a separate B12 initially as well as vitamin B complex
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex
Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week
The GP’s don’t want to increase even as a trial 😣I’ve seen a couple of others previously, thought I’d try increasing vitamins then get blood test and depending on results maybe see private endocrinologist (got list from thyroid uk)
I take Adcal D3 2x daily for osteopenia and that’s got 400 i u (10mcg D3) per tablet I’ve been taking this for over a year.
I not supplementing any other vitamins not vegan/vegetarian but don’t eat much red meat.
I weigh 69.8 kg
My Levothyroxine are 100 mcg accord
50- mercury 25- wockhardt
I’m on HRT for the osteopenia have got oestrogel initially 2 pumps daily but recently increased to 3 and utrogestan 100mg (progesterone) I always used to take thyroxine at night but changed to morning because of the utrogestan can’t remember why I swapped them around at the minute but I did feel better when taking the Levothyroxine at night, is thyroxine best to take on its own can I take at same time as utrogestan?
Do you know how I save posts or find pinned posts on my phone? ( just found the pinned posts)
This is the pinned post with recommendations for GP's to keep TSH between 0.04/ 0.5 and 2/2.5 in patients on levo .
So you can push that at GP's as it clearly shows there is no reason NOT to try an increase as long as it doesn't send TSH below 0.04/0.5 ish . ( which of course they don't know unless they try it )
I suggest you be a nuisance and keep pushing that line ... ie "what are their reasons for NOT trying it.. when there is clearly no harm in it " ~ some of those rcomendations are taken directly from uk GP 'update sources' ..and one is written specifically for GP's by NHS Specialist Registrars in Cardiology and Endocrinology ~ so there should be no argument about their validity for UK NHS GP's to be guided by them .
yes I can take the hrt in the morning so I’ll swap and take Levothyroxine at bedtime and the hrt in the morning, that might help me feel a bit better along with getting the B12 and folate increased.
I’ll print off information tattybogle linked to see if gp will increase, if not I might try slow increase on my own with help from forum after vitamins are optimal.
would 6-8 weeks be long enough to see an improvement I’ve already got a finger prick test from blue horizons ready to do but don’t want to waste it if I do it too soon.
Ideally wait 6-8 weeks after changing to taking levothyroxine at bedtime
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
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