Not everyone finds the first iron supplement prescribed, usually ferrous sulphate, effective or even tolerable.
helvella - Iron Document
This is a summary of what I have read up and found out about iron supplements over the past few years. I am not in any way medically trained. You are strongly encouraged to check every detail before making any decisions for yourself.
Were you feeling 'shitty' before the reduction? Or since the reduction? That reduction is massive! It shouldn't be more than 25 mcg every six weeks. Reducing by that amount in one go is pretty certain to have a negative effect.
She doesn't know much about thyroid, does she. Having a suppressed TSH is no big deal, and to be expected on 20 mcg T3 - that's what it does. Your FT4 does look a little high, but impossible to say for sure because you haven't given a range. But, even so, 25 mcg reduction would have been quite sufficient. And, it's doubtful that even reducing by 75 mcg is unlikely to have much effect on your TSH.
Was the FT3 tested? That is essential when taking T3.
Make sure you take your iron at least four hours away from thyroid hormones, and take vit C with it to help with absorption and constipation.
Yes before the reduction. My resting pulse have gone down to 100 now since the reduction so that makes me feel better. My heart felt like it was beating out of my chest before.
I know right, she doesn't know what she is talking about. But I had to follow Dr orders. So now what should I do?
I take iron at night and levo and t3 in morning, and I always take vitamin c with it. 19 of September is next test, she wanted me to stop completely with levo but then I said is that such a good idea? Then she changed her mind and said ok 50.
Ft3 they almost never test cause that test cost more money.
ESSENTIAL to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together after 6-8 weeks on current dose
If they are prescribing T3 they MUST test Ft3
plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Likely reduced levothyroxine far too much
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
Ummm... No, you don't have to follow Dr's orders. She is there to advise you, not dictate to you. Too many doctors forget that they are supposed to discuss medication changes with you and get your informed consent before changing. If you don't want to, just say no. Especially when you are fully aware that she has no idea what she's doing.
Your next test is only six days away, can you hold out til then? The change is bound to show up in the tests on the FT4 - hope she doesn't just do TSH! But, do get an appoint before 9 am for the blood draw, because that is when the TSH is highest. Then, go back to her and tell her the effect the reduction has had on you.
She said she was worried about my results and wanted to make me stop taking thyroid medicine at all. Lucky she changed her mind but still that much must really not be healthy. I contacted them about getting my t3 tested also and they said Dr will phone you on Monday to discuss... I will tell her they have to do it cause I'm on liothyronin and hope she listens to me and not brush me off or not take me seriously ...
I will update you helpful people as soon as I get the results back....
I will also tell her to make new iron tests since I've been on supplement for a while.
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Help with results and restarting meds
New thyroid results
Thyroid & CKD link
Thyroid test results
Updated Thyroid levels and new Vitamin readings
