I recently had a blood test for a suspected DVT which turned out to be negative but the hospital rang and left a message on my phone to say that they had found that my iron levels were low and I should see my GP asap which of course I did. The GP thought the levels were due to a internal bleeding and insisted I had a bowel cancer test before she would prescribe Iron tablets and it was clear and I was given a prescription for ferrous sulphate. I was sent to have a chest x-ray which was also clear.
GP also wanted me to have a camera down my throat (I’ve forgotten the technical term) to check on whether I was bleeding from my stomach which I’ve cancelled because I have a chest infection.
Knowing how little hypothyroidism is understood by GPs my question is could low iron levels be down to an under-medication.
Written by
RosamundG
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But she's reduced the dose of my T4 from 100 mcg to 75 and kept the Liothyronine as is which I think is 20
No range on Ft4 and obviously essential to test Ft3
GP reduced dose (quite likely inappropriately) 2 months ago
That was massive dose reduction in levothyroxine
If you did need dose reduction (unlikely) then changing to 100mcg 4 days and 87.5mcg 3 days would be a realistic reduction
Very likely to have below range Ft4 at retest
strongly recommend getting FULL thyroid retest and vitamins too if not tested last time
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
On T3 - day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day with last dose 8-12 hours before test
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options and money off codes
Iron deficiency (ID) can reduce the activities of thyroid peroxidase and 5′-deiodinase, inhibit binding of triiodothyronine to its nuclear receptor, and cause slower utilization of T3 from the serum pool. Moreover, ID can disturb the functioning of the immune system, increasing the risk of autoimmune disorders
We see many vegetarians and vegans on here with autoimmune thyroid disease
Be interesting research to ask all autoimmune hypothyroid patients if they are (or were) vegetarian or vegan and wether this would be higher % than vegetarians/vegans in overall population
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