From NDT back to Levothyroxine

[MichelleHarris]

TSH 0.02 mu/L ( 0.27- 4.20mu/L)

Free T4 18.4 ( 11.30 - 21.60 pmol/L)

Total Cholesterol level. 7.3

Serum Triglycerides 2.2 ( 0 - 1.6mmol/L)

Hi I’ve been on NDT for 3 yrs and trying Levo again. I’m on 125mg. Stopped NDT 6 weeks ago. Just had blood test requested by GP as started requesting Levo. I have only had two previous blood tests ever on NHS since diagnosis. Now I have been asked to see the GP as I presume they think I’m overmedicated. If I am on a lower dose I suffer in agony with sciatica ( hospitalised) and easily badly pull muscles. I also get throat and oesophagus problems. I feel fine on this dose and its free. I have put weight on and currently 73kgs. I wondered what you all thought about my results before I make the appt. please.

[Lalatoot]

TSH is slow to respond so it may take a while for tsh to reach normal range if it ever does.

It is very early days yet and they need to give your system time to adjust and adapt.

Great that you feel good. Hope they leave you longer on that dose!

[MichelleHarris in reply to Lalatoot]

Thank you Lalafoot I really appreciate you taking the trouble to reply with such good advise.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Your FT4 is 68.93% through range which is pretty decent. However, testing FT3 is so important even when on Levo as your probably know.

I imagine your cholesterol is high, as is your triglyceride result, which may suggest you're maybe undermedicated (FT3 would give a better picture regarding undermedication).

Good to hear that you feel fine on this dose but you need to resist a reduction in dose so you'll have to emphasise that your FT4 is well within range and if you can get FT3 tested and this is low then you'll know you may need an increase or even get them to consider T3. Also point out that high cholesterol is a sign of hypothyroidism so if they reduce your dose that could go higher.

[MichelleHarris in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you SeasideSusie always brilliant advise. That makes perfect sense to me! Dont know what would have happened to me without this site.

Dont want to be negative but I feel fine but no where near how I felt before I started on Thyroxine . I think I was left too long without meds as despite what should have been obvious signs to my doctors I was pushed on antidepressants instead of Thyroxine and HRT. I could walk 10 miles and was a volunteer walking leader but had to retire eatly from my career on ill health. Same story we hear over and over again. Some people start on Levo and right as rain and dont understand.

I continue to work very hard on vits and probiotics as per advise on here and it is making a difference.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

What was the reason for switching from NDT to Levo?

When did you last take your Levo before this test?

What supplements are you taking?

What are your latest results for ferritin, folate, B12 & D3?

We need OPTIMAL levels of key vitamins for our thyroid hormone to work well.

It's ideal if you can always get the same brand of levo at every prescription. You can do this by getting GP to write the brand you prefer in the first line of the prescription. Many people find that different brands are not interchangeable.

[MichelleHarris in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you Jaydee I really appreciate you taking the trouble to reply with such good advise.

[pennyannie]

Hello Michelle :

If you feel good - that's a job well done -

though a T3 reading would help you confirm to the doctor that you are not over mediated and hopefully stop the blame game surrounding the dogma of the TSH having to be in range.

With a T4 at just around 68% there is likely room for another increase - or just a 25 mcg T4 increase - every other day ?

Good conversion of T3 generally tracks behind T4 by around 15-20% - and aiming for a good 50% through the range not an unreasonable request.

and a slightly higher dose of Levothyroxine would likely improve your T3 reading which in turn could well start help reducing the cholesterol reading :

Decline the statins - lovely to hear your news - xx

[MichelleHarris]

Lovely to hear from you pennyannie ! No I wont be cojouled into Statins or antidepressants either. I would like them to look thoroughly into my health first and as that will never happen … 😂

I’ve replied to Seaside Susie about describing myself as ‘fine’ rather than ‘good’ but hope that doesnt disappoint too much. Hope you’re enjoying this beautiful weather x

[pennyannie in reply to MichelleHarris]

I'm better off staying out of this strong UV light -

though today we seem a little more clouded and have a strong breeze with the rumour of rain towards the weekend - can't wait !!

Take good care :

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Retest again in another 6-8 weeks including Ft3 and all four vitamin levels

Recommended 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)

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...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

[MichelleHarris in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon for relentlessly giving such good advise. I really appreciate it.