Hello everyone 👋 I’m new here. Below is my story and my question is what would you suggest next please? I’m 46 with 1 child (12 years old).
On August 22 I had a blood test to check for menopause which came back that I was in menopause but it also came back that I had “dangerously” low thyroid levels.
A male doctor (never spoken to him before) rang me, he was really nice and explained in depth that before I could have HRT I would need to get thyroid levels stable and left me a prescription for thyroxine.
Before taking it I did some research and to cut long story short really didn’t want to take medication. So I didn’t and decided to see what would happen.
I had a call from same doctor in Oct 22, basically telling me to carry on taking the meds… I then wrote a long email to the practice explaining that I didn’t want to take medication and would like to see a specialist at the hospital first for 2nd opinion and more details.
I received an email reply that the email would be passed to the doctor before our next call.
Same doctor rang me Feb 2023 and basically said that there had been a steady and significant improvement in my levels (due to the medication) but he wanted to up the dose to improve it more. Long story short, I told him I hadn’t taken the meds and asked if he’d read my email (he didn’t know about the email).
His attitude at that point wasn’t too happy and he basically said he’d send me some info and if I wanted to go on meds just to ring them. If I didn’t there wasn’t anything else they could do. I again asked if I could see a specialist at the hospital to which he said no, they can help me at the GP practice.
He sent me some links and said I have autoimmune thyroiditis.
MY RESULTS:
Brain stimulating hormone THS
Aug 22 - 22.16
Oct 22 - 6.06
Feb 23 - 4.76
T3 fine
T4
Aug 22 - 8.7
Feb 23 - 12.6
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JoJoang1111
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what was FT3? The body priorities FT3. So it might be fine for a while but once the hypothyroidism continues & this drops you might not feel fine.
This can also affect nutrient levels as a knock on affect.
Have folate, ferritin, B12 & vitamin D been tested.
Are you symptom free?
Menopausal symtoms can be similar to thyroid symptoms.
What were your thyroid antibody levels?
Autoimmune thyroiditis can cause fluctuating levels, in early stages. The damaged thyroid cells are releasing stores, this can include going over range, but as the autoimmune damage progresses, further lowering of function is almost inevitable. This is why replacement is introduced.
Can you add FT4 range, they look under age / low on range by most. Ranges vary between labs so always needed for every test.
What starting dose where you offered? Eg standard starting dose 50mcg then increases by 25mcg per day. Usually every 6weeks after retest.
Please add ranges on these results (figures in brackets after each result)
Were all tests done early morning
Essential to get vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 and coeliac blood test done
Request these done via GP
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodiesÂ
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.Â
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
Your own thyroid is being slowly destroyed
Levothyroxine isn’t a medication, it’s replacement hormone because your thyroid is packing up
Having been hypothyroid a long time, likely your vitamin levels are poor because when hypothyroid we usually develop low stomach acid and poor nutrient absorption and low vitamin levels as direct result
Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)
20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosisÂ
In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am (and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test )
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 testedÂ
Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least onceÂ
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options and money off codes
If you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), treatment may be delayed until this problem is treated. This is because having an underactive thyroid can lead to an increased cholesterol level, and treating hypothyroidism may cause your cholesterol level to decrease, without the need for statins. Statins are also more likely to cause muscle damage in people with an underactive thyroid.
wow I wish I had your GP 5 years ago. I was put on HRT without any blood tests and 3 years later was in a terrible mess (couldn’t function mental health on the floor) and now have souvenir fibroids.
Stopped the HRT, started Thyroid hormone treatment, dramatic changes in diet and vitamins have returned me to functioning adult.
However if you don’t have symptoms then great! I have a friend who has managed 10 years with fasting and no meds but is just starting to feel it and can’t shift the hypo symptoms (having been on bio identical HRT for years).
If you've been offered Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism I would suggest you grab it with both hands. Levo isn't a "medication" - it is the same hormone that your thyroid would be producing if it worked well enough to do so. Levothyroxine doesn't top up a failing thyroid - it replaces the thyroxine it produces.
There are two thyroid hormones that patients talk about - T4 and T3. T4 is a short name for Levothyroxine. It is converted in the body, in various organs, into T3, which is a short name for Liothyronine. Every single cell in the body needs T3 to function properly.
The list of symptoms people get from being hypothyroid and untreated is a long one. The gut is badly affected for a start - stomach acid production reduces and this then reduces the body's ability to extract nutrients from one's food. So low vitamins and minerals are common, and these introduce a boat load of symptoms of their own.
Another common effect of being hypothyroid is that the body tries to substitute for the missing hormones with cortisol which is a stress hormone. People end up feeling stressed and anxious, which usually leads to depression.
I am also new at the forum and my story is similar to yours I am 45 with a kid 12years old but I have Hashimato's. I am wondering what have you done exactly changed diet? And possible share the links if you think they can be helpful to us?
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but I have Hashimato's. I am wondering what have you done exactly changed diet? And possible share the links if you think they can be helpful to us?
T3 taken away, looking for a new source please :)
New to this - thyroid levels jumping around?
Are my doctor and Endo correct that my TSH being suppressed is not good and I should lower my levothyroxine!!
Further advice needed please re TSH and T4 levels
I'm trying to find a doc who is willing to treat my symptomatic hypothyroidism when TSH is high but within UK 'normal' range, with low FT4.
