Is thyroid my main issue?

[FinneUK]

UpdateJust started on Thyroxine 25mcg. I feel worse. I notice I am not able to tolerate stress especially emotional. I don't like being around stressy people either. I know adrenal fatigue is not an NHS diagnosis but perhaps it is my main problem after a year in a job with management I can't see eye to eye with. But actually years of work and money issues. I was taking adrenal glandular for a few months in my new job but probably the wrong type.

My results that led to treatment with the 25mcg.

T3 4.8 (3.1-6.8)

T4 14.7 (11-22)

TSH 5.77 (0.27-4.2)

Whilst on Metavive

Vit D 79 (50-374)

B12 523 (197-771)

I've joint issues and feel incredibly tired even after sleeping. Back to GP I suppose.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

How long have you been on 25mcg dose? That’s a very small amount of Levothyroxine (usual starter dose is 50mcg)

Have you had folate tested? Low folate definitely makes me feel tired & emotional.

Do you supplement magnesium at all? I found this very helpful in alleviating stress/ aiding sleep.

[FinneUK in reply to Buddy195]

Thanks Buddy195,My folate results just say >20ug (3.89-99999 ug/L)

Not sure what that means.

I've just started a week on 25mcg. And stopped the Metavive. But I'm feeling worse I think.

[FinneUK in reply to FinneUK]

I think I should maybe have halved the Metavive not stopped. I wasn't taking a lot.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to FinneUK]

I’m not knowledgeable about Metavive, but am sure others will be along soon to advise. Do remember to retest thyroid levels 6-8 weeks after being on a consistent dose.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How long have you been on Metavive

You’re likely on quite a lot less overall thyroid hormones on just 25mcg …..plus levothyroxine takes 10-20 days to “get in your system”

Hang in there and get retested 6 weeks after starting on 25mcg levothyroxine and get increased to standard STARTER dose of levothyroxine at 50mcg

Which brand of levothyroxine are you taking

Book early morning test, 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 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Have you had antibodies tested

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...

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies)

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here

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

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...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[FinneUK]

I've been a few years on Metavive and Armour before that with a few gaps. Maybe I should try the adrenal glandular again to see if it helps my tiredness because I feel pretty bad.

[DippyDame]

Your FT3 at 45.95% through the ref range is on the low side for good health....it may be fine for a few hypos but most need it roughly approaching 75%.FT3 is the most important reading followed by FT4....it is the active thyroid hormone required by almost every cell in the body by way of an adequate and constant supply

Low cellular T3 = poor health

25mcg levo is a tiny dose....usual starter is 50mcg.

Your FT4 is also far too low at 33.64% through the ref range

So it's not surprising that you feel under par

It looks as if your T4 to T3 is ok....but increasing dose and further testing will clarify

(High FT4 with low FT3 = poor conversion)

Your symptoms are all typical of undermedication so more levo should start to alleviate those

It's not uncommon to feel worse after starting on replacement hormone....it's the body telling us we need more!

Suggest you ask for an increase to 50mcg, maintain that steady dose for 6 weeks ( you probably won't feel great but that's part of the process)

After 6 weeks re-test.....minimum TSH, FT4 and FT3

The results will point the way forward

Glandulars, unlike NDT, have no specified thyroid hormone content.....so basically, hit or miss!!

But, they do help some people

Your Vit D is on the low side too...aim at least 100

Vit B12, vit D, folate and ferritin must be optimal to support thyroid function

I doubt returning to a glandular will alleviate your symptoms

There is no quick fix for thyroid disease, patience is imperative...but there is a fix!

Good luck!

[FinneUK in reply to DippyDame]

Thanks Dippy. I will ask for an increase to 50mcg straight away and otherwise try to get through it.

[Regenallotment in reply to FinneUK]

go easy on yourself, it takes aaaaages to feel more like yourself again. I’ll be honest I felt worse before I felt better. Keep asking questions about everything, Folks here are so unbelievably helpful.

Work is a tough one, I hear you with the stress. Emotional stress and trauma have a big impact on recovery. Was listening to a podcast (Thyroid Answers) about this recently, he was interviewing a US Navy Seal with chronic injuries who had unresolved childhood trauma and learned this was affecting him physiologically. Dealt with the trauma, processed it and tried physio again and it resolved. Have you got healthy strategies for coping? I’m having a good think about this and how I can help myself. 🌱

[FinneUK]

Thanks Regenallotment.

My main strategy for stress has always been avoiding or ignoring the stressful thing - doesn't always work well in life. I was trying to reduce my working hours but the boiler has just died (today given a safety warning) and needs replacing! I suppose it's exercise carrying kettles upstairs. I thought I'd be more worried but I seem to be more able to adopt a "what will be will be" approach recently, at least some of the time ...