Everything's normal!?

[jasmine804]

Here are my latest GP results. Feeling ĺike a hashi flare/swing. Tiredness, bloating, anxiety, pins and needles, palpitations. Nurse called to say everything is normal.

Serum free T3 (RHX) 3.6 (3.90-6.80)

(Borderline low but rest of TFTs normal)

Serum TSH 0.78 (0.35-5.00)

Serum free T4 22.3 (11.00-23.00)

Serum ferritin 208 (12.00-300)

Serum folate 7.4 (3.90-19.80)

Serum B12 566 (200.00-900.00)

Serum total 25-OH vit. D 133 (50.00-150)

Serum iron level 19 (10.00-30.00)

Percentage iron saturation 35% (25.00-50.00%)

Had a fbc inc. Bone profile.

Nurse commented cholesterol too high at 6.26 . She was unaware of any link between hypo and cholesterol.

I'm 72, currently taking 100mcg levo.

Vit D spray. Recently added magnesium.

I haven't been taking any B supplements. Tried one some years ago and didn't feel well with them. Gluten free and had bloods done 9.15 am, no levo previous 24 hrs.

I'm sorry this is such a lot to wade through. I feel completely out of my depth!

Your expertise would be very welcome.

Thanks so much.

[SovietSong]

Is it possible you need a slight decrease?Your t4 is very high,almost over the range.I had similar problem, my t4 was 21 (range 12-22) and I had similar symptoms.I thought I needed an increase but it was advised to me on here to try a slight decrease and I’m getting there.The symptoms can cross over so it can be tricky to identify over/under medication.Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than myself will be along soon to offer advice.Good luck.

[jasmine804 in reply to SovietSong]

HelloSovietSong

Thank you so much for your reply.

I feel so stupid when it comes to trying to get to grips with what's going on! We are all unique and I know that the help I get on this forum will help me go forward.

Very best wishes for your own journey.

[greygoose]

Serum free T3 (RHX) 3.6 (3.90-6.80)

Your FT3 is below range. How can that be 'normal'? No, this is not a Hashi's 'flare'. A Hashi's 'flare' would give you very high levels of FT4 and/or FT3. This is the result of very, very poor conversion.

This nurse sounds particularly ignorant, and one wonders if she should be monitoring thyroid patients with her lack of knowledge. Your high cholesterol is directly linked to your very low FT3.

T3 is the active thyroid hormone. It is needed by every single cell in your body to function correctly. And, it is needed to process cholesterol - which is made in the liver. It's not that the liver is making too much cholesterol - and it certainly is not that you're consuming too much! - it is that without T3, the body cannot process cholesterol correctly, so that it builds up in the blood. Do not allow them to put you on statins. What you need is some T3 added to a reduced dose of levo.

[jasmine804 in reply to greygoose]

Hello greygooseFirstly thank you so much for taking the trouble to reply.

In my ignorance I thought that once taking Levo "the only way is up"! I understand now that if T3 is added then a reduction in Levo is necessary.

I am nervous of taking T3. I am extremely hesitant when it comes to taking any medication. I know that this is an irrational fear, so please excuse me.

Can I also ask if adding more vitamins/supplements would help?

Thank you so very much.

[greygoose in reply to jasmine804]

Don't think of T3 as 'medication'. It isn't 'medication' in the normal sense of that word. It's not a drug. It's a thyroid hormone, just mimicking what your thyroid would made for you if it could. It's nothing to be afraid of.

Nutritional supplements will only help you if you need them. You do not appear to need more than you're already taking. So, not, they wouldn't help. You cannot replace a hormone with anything other than a hormone. Your T3 is low so you need to take T3.

Your FT4 is too high to add anymore. And, it wouldn't help but could lead to other problems. So, that is not the answer. The only way to good health is to take T3.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

which brand is it

Folate is poor

Perhaps try adding just folate, rather than a vitamin B complex

Eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg

Your conversion rate of Ft4 to Ft3 is very poor

First step perhaps reduce dose levothyroxine a little to see if this improves

Perhaps reduce levothyroxine by 25mcg just twice a week

Retest in 6-8 weeks

See if Ft3 has improved ……

Likely to need/benefit from addition of T3 prescribed alongside (slightly reduced) levothyroxine

Meanwhile

Get the List of thyroid specialists and endocrinologists who will prescribe T3 alongside levothyroxine

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[jasmine804 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon

Again a huge thanks for your advice.

I always have Accord dispensed.

I will try the folate supplement and the Levo adjustment and have a re-test as suggested. I'll also research the list of specialists/endos who will prescribe T3 alongside Levo.

Can't thank you enough for your help.