confused and fed up!

[Cbed]

Hi could anyone help me interpret these results please? I’ve been on Levothyroxine for about 8 years and got tested in January this year, the results say

“Serum THS (0.27-4.20) = 27.6

Serum Free T4. (12.0-22) = 12.3

Last T4 was low in October”

I had previously been on 75/100 alternate days

A few weeks back they put me up to 100 daily.

Currently I feel like I’m picking up every bug - always tired, cough/cold, body aches, dread going to work and feel like I’m dragging myself around. Seems like no sooner do I get better I seem to go downhill again. Could it be linked? Is there anything I could/ should be doing that I’m not? Any ideas or comments would be very much welcomed, thank you 😊

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

So looking back on your previous posts your blood numbers have barely changed. I'm surprised they only increased your Levothyroxine by 12.5mcgs. Usual increases, especially with a high TSH would be for 25mcgs.

Always take your Levo on an empty stomach, 1hr away from food or caffeine drinks. Many people find taking it at bed time helps absorption.

People usually feel well with a TSH of at or just under 1, so you have a long way to go to get there from a TSH of 27.6.

Book a blood test for 6-8 weeks time after dose increase at or as close as possible to 9am when TSH is highest. Take Levo that day AFTER the blood test and fast before the test.

You should be retested 6-8 weeks following a dose increase and Levo dose increased by 25mcgs until your TSH is at or just under 1 and you have symptom resolution.

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested?

When hypo we get low stomach acid that means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3?

[Cbed in reply to Jaydee1507]

thank you for this info. I have not been tested for antibodies I don’t think. My diet is really healthy so I know I’m eating the right stuff but you’re right it might be an absorption issue. I take my meds first thing on an empty stomach. I am due for a thyroid blood test at the end of March and I will ask my gp for the other tests you mention also. Am just so conscious of being the person at work who feels I’ll all the time!! Many thanks!!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Cbed]

By the way what is it thats confusing you?

Unfortunately even with the best diet we can get low levels of vitamins due to poor absorption. We need to test levels and supplement the ones that are less than OPTIMAL.

Its rough for hypo people seeing everyone around them just carrying on when the hypo person simply cannot. Take a look around the posts here and begin to understand what helps people feel well and learn a little about your condition. You are not alone.

[Cbed in reply to Jaydee1507]

I think what was confusing me was why I felt so ok for so long when initially medicated and therefore why it would dip, and also I expected things to pick up when they raised the levo levels. However I’m learning things today that I had not appreciated around absorption etc which are really making sense, and I’ve been given some great advice. Thank you 😊

[pennyannie]

Hello there Cbed ;

Did we ever get to the bottom of why you became hypothyroid and put on T4 - thyroid hormone replacement ?

Your symptoms and these new blood tests could be because of positive and over range thyroid antibodies - so would ask that a further blood test is run to confirm exactly what is going on with your thyroid if you do not know and have never had a formal diagnosis.

You are on a reasonable dose of Levothyroxine - and your TSH is way over range and signalling for more T4 - as your T4 is barely in the range - could there be absorption issues ?

Have you any results and ranges for ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D as without these being at good levels within their ranges T4 - Levothyroxine - does not work as effectively as it should.

Do you take any other medications that could be inhibiting absorption of the T4 ?

Do you take this T4 on an empty stomach and wait around an hour before you have any food or drinks other than water, or do you wait for a couple hours after having eaten before you take the T4 with a glass of water - as per the Patient Information Leafllet .

You might like to read around the research of Dr Izabella Wentz - thyroidpharmacist.com

[Cbed in reply to pennyannie]

wow thanks for that- I don’t know the answer to all of those questions but I will definitely raise them with my doctor ! I originally had some blood tests which came back that I was Underactive, then I was given levo, then it was low again recently. Had no idea I should have asked why I became hypothyroid. I do take the meds on an empty stomach first thing. I will go to my gp and ask these issues and/or for a referral. Many thanks for your insight.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Cbed]

I hope your doctor knows everything about 'how to treat a person who is hypothyroid'.

My GP couldn't even diagnose a person with hypothyroidism as he didn't realise that someone with a TSH of 100 was very hypothyroid indeed.

If you'd like to read more about how I was eventually diagnosed, click on my name and you will go to another page.

I have also said to another GP "I'm sorry doctor but that's untrue'.

[Cbed in reply to shaws]

I hope so too!

thank you, I will go to that page and check it out.