Am I overmedicated: Hi there,I posted last week... - Thyroid UK

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Am I overmedicated

Bunnyhopps profile image
10 Replies

Hi there,I posted last week and got great advice from SlowDragon and Greygoose. Managed to convince gp to test full thyroid to include T3 and T4. Got results today. Test was 8.15am and last Levo taken 24 hours before. Gp is ringing me next Tues to discuss as its still showing I am over-medicated and as I had a heart attack 14 weeks ago gp is saying there could be a contection. I feel great on 100mgs Levo and I know he will want to drop me back to 75mgs. Results are T4 20(10-20) T3 1.4(0.9-2.5)

TSH 0.08(0.2-4)

Any advice would be much appreciated. I have no idea about Vit levels as it was a battle to get GP to do a full thyroid test. Thankyou lovely ladies.

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Bunnyhopps
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greygoose profile image
greygoose

No, you're not over-medicated. Your FT4 is borderline, but your FT3 is not even mid-range. You are only over-medicated if your FT3 is well over-range. And, actually, yours is saying that you are a little under-medicated, because you are a poor converter.

That said, if your dose was reduced just a tad - less than 25 mcg a day! You don't want to go down to 75 mcg again. If the FT4 came down just a little bit, conversion might improve and your FT3 could rise a little. So, suggest a compromise, say reducing by 25 mcg a couple of days a week, or something like that. You don't want your FT4 to go too low.

Unfortunately, doctors are so badly educated in thyroid, they only tend to look at the TSH, which is a very bad indicator of thyroid status. So, you might have a battle on your hands! :)

Bunnyhopps profile image
Bunnyhopps in reply to greygoose

Thankyou so much for this....I just feel better on 100mgs than I ever did on 75mgs. They have had me on 75mgs for 10 years...I never felt good. Got an increase to 100mgs earlier this and felt so much better. You are spot on with me having a battle on my hands.....but I am up for fighting my corner....lol. Thanks so much for this info...I knew you would be able to advise me. X

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Bunnyhopps

You're very welcom. :)

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

FT4: 20 pmol/l (Range 10 - 20)

Ft4 is 100.00%

FT3: 1.4 pmol/l (Range 0.9 - 2.5)

Ft3 only 31.25% through range

Shows very poor conversion rate of Ft4 to Ft3

So you may need to reduce levothyroxine a little and get T3 prescribed alongside levothyroxine

Suggest you initially reduce levothyroxine by 25mcg PER WEEK

100mcg 5 days and 87.5mcg 2 days per week

Retest in 6-8 weeks

Meanwhile

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

OPTIMAL vitamin levels improves conversion rates

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Bunnyhopps profile image
Bunnyhopps in reply to SlowDragon

Thankyou so much.......I had an idea I was a bad converter but gp didnt listen to me....as we all have been through this with our gp's at some point. I will stand my ground armed with this info....and fingers crossed....but not holding my breath......I may get T3. If gp agrees or goes for a compromise and retests in 6-8 wks I will put results on here for you to see. I really do appreciate you taking the time to help me. 😊

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Bunnyhopps

GP can not initiate T3

You will need to see thyroid specialist endocrinologist or private thyroid doctor

List of thyroid specialists and endocrinologists

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Or Roseway Labs patient prescription service

Before considering any of these options ESSENTIAL to test and improve vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels to OPTIMAL

Many (most?) thyroid patients need to supplement vitamin D and vitamin B complex continuously

Many initially also need separate B12

Some need iron supplements

Request GP test these NOW

Or test privately

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)

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...

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

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...

Bunnyhopps profile image
Bunnyhopps in reply to SlowDragon

Thankyou so much for all this info.....its such a big help. I will definately request a full vit check....and if gp wont do it I will test private. A massive thankyou for all this info. X

Bunnyhopps profile image
Bunnyhopps in reply to SlowDragon

Only vits I am taking is Magnesium Citrate....helps stop me getting constipation...lol.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Bunnyhopps

Any magnesium must be at least 4 hours away from levothyroxine

Best taken afternoon or bedtime

Bunnyhopps profile image
Bunnyhopps in reply to SlowDragon

Yes I take it at bedtime as it seems to make me sleep better too!

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