Have been on 250mg Levo for about 10 years (current brand Almus).
Have felt it's too high recently, and got tested and T4 was slightly over, so past 2 weeks lowered to 200mg. They skipped testing T3 😑 T3 test last year was 1.5 (0.9-2.5) but T4 was lower at .
So I've booked a consult with Roseway labs, hence happy to reduce the Levo in hope to try T3.
Just looking for advice on how to start if they let me try adding T3, and I can afford it.
I've read loads of different things online and recommendations online, but it all gets very confusing.
Thanks
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pammmy
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Before you go to Roseway you really need to get a full thyroid panel to include FT3 as they will need to see that.
You also need full vitamin testing as we need OPTIMAL vitamin levels for our thyroid hormone to work well. It also helps with tolerance of T3. Need to get all ducks in a row before starting T3.
Usually dropping 25mcgs Levo and adding 5 mcgs T3 is a good start. 5mcg increments are best as gentle on the system.
My last vitamin test was 2020 😬 my B12 was at the bottom of the range 255 (200-883). Ferritin was 100 (15-200). So I was supplementing B12 with folate. Although I admit I gave in. I go through phases of trying to fix things, then get so frustrated I give up. So here we are again.
The last test results I can find was in 2020, attached.
42, overweight, brain fog, dry skin, thin hair, depressed, anxiety, try to walk 10k steps everyday. Was getting a bit lightheaded when walking which is why I thought I was over medicated. Have possibly been hypo since birth, but medicated about 20 years.
Just did blood pressure for a week for the nurse and she said it was okay (white coat syndrome so jumps in the Dr's).
Thanks Jaydee. They won't do bloods again until August. I agreed with the doc to go to 225mg levo 😕 And he's said they will request the T3 test to be done this time (even though it was requested this time), but we'll see.
Those who have Pernicious Anaemia should have a blood test that confirms whether or not that that the patient has Pernicious Anaemia. If we have P.A. we 'have to have' regular blood tests along with frequent B12 injections.
I have P.A. and have a monthly B12 injection to ensure that I have 'optimum' B12. My GP is good and also increased my T3.
My Mother also had P.A. but unfortunately was given 'wrong' information by her GP who told her she no longer needed B12 injections (which was every 3 months) and I believe that was the reason that caused her early demise as she died due to stomach cancer.
What would be the minimum test needed for the thyroid panel, FT3 and FT4?
I haven't tried gluten free, as my sister has coeliac and had a nightmare trying to find things to eat. Also if eaten accidentally, your body can't tolerate it. I might read up on it again though now.
This monitor my health test is the cheapest for TSH, FT4 & FT3. Use discount code from the link I posted above to get it cheaper. monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...
This £65 test, cheaper with discount code, also tests key vitamins. You really need that as your B12 was so low and you likely need to restart supplements. monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...
Gluten free options are available about everywhere these days. So many differnt options and it may well help you a lot.
You should have been tested for coeliac when your sister was diagnosed….if that didn’t happen
And especially as you have Hashimoto’s GP should do coeliac blood test BEFORE you cut gluten out
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
A trial of strictly gluten free diet is always worth doing
Only 5% of Hashimoto’s patients test positive for coeliac but a further 81% of Hashimoto’s patients who try gluten free diet find noticeable or significant improvement or find it’s essential
Similarly few months later consider trying dairy free too. Approx 50-60% find dairy free beneficial
Hashimoto’s and leaky gut often occur together
Both dairy and gluten are inflammatory foods
A strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential due to gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and may slowly lower TPO antibodies
While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)
Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported
In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned
Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.
There are a number of gremlins working withthe forum at the moment so don;t blame yourself. Posting a picture can be a challenge!
Have you had your Roseway appointment?
Free T3 (fT3) 4.4 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 35.1%
How did you take the test? What time of day was it? Important as highest TSH is usually 9am which is when its best to book a test.
Did you take your Levo before the test?
Your FT3 is too low. It would be better above 50% and possibly needs to be around 70% for some people.
It may be that getting vitamins to optimal would improve your conversion. I would certainly recommend getting all key vitamins - ferritin, folate, B12 & D3 to OPTIMAL before starting T3 as low levels can cause intolerance of T3.
I did the test about 8.50am and got it posted before 12pm.
I didn't take my levo the day before, usually take it at night. I've not taken any supplements for about a month.
I had my appointment with roseway labs and they said I probably have conversation issues. I ordered thybone henning T3 to try, but wanted to wait until my results were back to start.
Vitamin D was 46nmol which Google seems to think is fine, I've been out in the sun loads walking recently.
Waiting for a new test kit for the B12, ferritin etc. I probably won't be able to do it until next Monday as away this week.
46 is not a good number for vit D. It should be 100-150 for best use of thyroid hormone. Buy one that includes vit K2 to help it go to your bones. Some are available in oil or you can take it with an oily meal for better absorption. Many people like the Better You range of mouth sprays that include vit K2 .Use this calculator to work out how much to take to get your level to 100-150. wildatlantichealth.com/vita...
You will need to drop around 25mcgs Levo to add any T3. Suggest starting with 5mcgs then wait 2 weeks to add a further 5mcgs.
It would really help you before you start T3 to get vitamin levels to OPTIMAL.
SlowDragon Jaydee1507  Hi, finally got my anaemia test done and results attached. Do you guys have any advice on these results please? They state normal except TSAT.
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement and add a separate vitamin B Complex after a week
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
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
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) and continue separate B12
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
No I wasn't taking any vitamins supplements. Test was done this Monday. I think I took vitamin C 2 weeks prior when had a cold, I've read that makes you absorb iron more though🙈 I stopped any supplements about 1 week before I did my thyroid tests, just had a lot of back and forth with Monitor my Health(MMH) so it took a while to get the full lot done.
Yes I have a few of the - B12 symptoms. But these mirror the thyroid symptoms also like tired, depressed, anxiety, brain fog. I was a little dizzy on/off recently too.
No cealiac test done as of yet. Not trialled gluten free yet either. Have been waiting on the MMH tests first.
Assuming test is negative it’s ALWAYS worth trying strictly gluten free diet
Only 5% of Hashimoto’s patients test positive for coeliac but a further 81% of Hashimoto’s patients who try gluten free diet find noticeable or significant improvement or find it’s essential
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