Feedback from health professional appointment. - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,815 members161,642 posts

Feedback from health professional appointment.

Seabird4 profile image
9 Replies

Following on from my previous post I had a consultation with the practice nurse today. I explained I was surprised that my T4 result in May had increased even though I had reduced my dose of levo by 25mg. As I am not converting very well previously I suggested a trial on a small dose of T3 combination with Levo & wee agreed that they would write to the Endo who was reviewing my treatment. She agreed at my request that I could also get tested for celiac. However, a short while later the nurse phoned to say they had spoken to the GP & they advised that I reduce my Levo by a further 25mg. I politely refused adding that this reduction would make me unwell & requested we proceed with what we had already agreed. I raised the point of not being overmedicated & also about having hashi flares. I'm happy to be retested in 2 months. I have posted my recent results below for reference.

This forum has been invaluable with information & advice but if anyone has anything further I most certainly welcome comments.

May 2023 dose 150 mcg Levothyroxine

TSH 0.03 RANGE 0.35-4.94

T4 20 RANGE 8-19.1

T3 4.3 RANGE 2-4.6

Feb 2023 dose 175 mcg Levothyroxine

TSH 0.03 RANGE 0.35-4.94

T4 17 RANGE 8-19.1

T3 4.4 RANGE 2-4.6

Written by
Seabird4 profile image
Seabird4
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
9 Replies
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator

Is either may & feb wrong? They are both exactly the same which would be unusual.

Seabird4 profile image
Seabird4 in reply to PurpleNails

Oh dear thank you for pointing that out I've entered it incorrectly. Will update

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 especially after dose reduction in levothyroxine

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

ALWAYS test early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Seabird4 profile image
Seabird4 in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you SlowdDragon Will have to go private for some tests but GP did test my Ferritin, calcium & FBC. But not vit D. I do supplement with vit D & I'm on b12 injections.

Comments: Haematinic Results

Comment

Serum ferritin

Value

168.3 ug/1

Normal Range 10.0-250.0

Bloods drawn first thing etc as previously advised.

I take Eltroxin same brand & is on my prescription. I always check before leaving the chemist.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Seabird4

Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing 

vitamindtest.org.uk

Aiming for at least 80nmol minimum

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function.

There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7. 

One spray = 1000iu

amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...

It’s trial and error what dose we need, with thyroid issues we frequently need higher dose than average

Vitamin D and thyroid disease 

grassrootshealth.net/blog/t...

Vitamin D may prevent Autoimmune disease 

newscientist.com/article/23...

Are you taking magnesium too

Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7

Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

livescience.com/61866-magne...

sciencedaily.com/releases/2...

Interesting article by Dr Malcolm Kendrick on magnesium 

drmalcolmkendrick.org/categ...

Vitamin K2 mk7

betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...

healthline.com/nutrition/vi...

Seabird4 profile image
Seabird4 in reply to SlowDragon

Thank you once again for sharing your knowledge with me. A lot to digest but I'll work my way through the articles etc.I noted in one article that optimum vit D could increase T4 & T3 levels and as I've been in sunny climates recently I thought that may have contributed to the increase in my T4 even though I'd reduced my Levo. My T3 dropped a wee bit so unsure on that one apart from conversion issues?

The food information was useful & I was pleased to read that I eat all them. I do try and focus on gut health by eating the right foods too e.g sauerkraut, yogurt etc.

I've not had my folate tested for some time now & I only take magnesium periodically.

I'll be interested to see my next results but it would be great if the GP tested all the required vitamins alongside the usual thyroid bloods to give a holistic assessment.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Seabird4

Presumably as you have PA your hypothyroidism is autoimmune too….ie Hashimoto’s

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...

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £31 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Seabird4 profile image
Seabird4 in reply to SlowDragon

You are correct I do have Hashimotos. I had that confirmed with Blue Horizon tests. I'd never heard about it until I joined this forum. If I remember correctly I only saw the Endo once nearly 30 years ago after a very protracted diagnosis that my thyroid was on the blink & this along with all the other factors e.g. vitamins, intolerance etc. was never mentioned. I suffered unnecessary deterioration in my health due to the delay in diagnosis even when my symptoms ticked 99% of the boxes for thyroid malfunction & a family history too. I'm far more educated now by you and others sharing your invaluable knowledge & I'm grateful for your support in making me feel more enlightened & empowered while engaging with others about my health. Thank you

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

When was folate last tested

As you have B12 injections it’s recommended also to supplement a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.

This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help maintain B12 levels between injections too

B vitamins best taken after breakfast

Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) 

Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay 

Other options 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg)

You may also like...

Feedback from the Endo.

(11-22) T3 5 (3.9-6.8) TSH <0.01 Suppressed tsh scared her but not me. I had to explain the results

Advice following endocrinology appointment

only 30 % through range and I would like to be considered for a dose increase of Levo or a trial of...

Free T4 levels going up then down. Advice for Endo appointment tomorrow please.

low again. My TSH is suppressed since upping my dose. TSH 0.16 (0.35 - 4.94)... was <0.01...

Blood Test Results from Endo Appointment - Comments and or advice please!

taking some HRT and are leaving my current dose of Levothyroxine unchanged. I am still suffering...

FEEDBACK ON LAB TESTS

Latest bloods TSH mu/L range 0.35 - 5mu?/ T4 9.4 pmol/L range 9-24 pmol/L T3 4.6 pmol/L range 3.5...