Levels help : Hi I've just got my thyroid checked... - Thyroid UK

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Levels help

Julie-74 profile image
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Hi I've just got my thyroid checked again my heart is palpitating quite a bit I had them done in July and we're 0.35 (0.2-4) Hypothyroidism since 17 now 49 I know I know nothing really about my condition but I'm trying but it's hard 😞

Now they are 0.1 (0.2-4) I've been eating Brazil nuts as they can help? I've lost weight too 1 stone over 2 wks but only putting that down to going gluten free and dairy free maybe? I had to my stomach and bowels really feel so much better!!

Do I need to lower of increase my dose? Dr won't see me until next Friday! I'm due for a 7 day ECG end of October

Thank you for any help in advance x

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Julie-74
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

Previous post 3 years ago

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

This showed your hypothyroidism is autoimmune Hashimoto’s

ferritin was deficient, folate too low

What were most recent vitamin results

What vitamin supplements are you taking

as you have Hashimoto’s are you on gluten free and/or dairy free diet

Julie-74 profile image
Julie-74 in reply to SlowDragon

I just got told I have hypothyroidism I'm absolutely clueless I'm not taking anything other than thyroxine 175g on a morning.I am in the process of going gluten free and dairy free my kids are not having issues with thyroid but have multiple vitamin deficiencies (the ones that live in their own homes too!!) I get migraines too!!

Drs just say let's test TSH levels end of.

I have changed drs I've even asked to get referred to an endo specialist

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Julie-74

So you are going to need to test at least some things privately

GP could/should test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 for you

GP could also test Ft4…..but unlikely to test Ft3

Ft4 = how much levothyroxine you are taking and is storage hormone

Ft3 = active hormone

To convert Ft4 to Ft3 we need GOOD vitamin levels

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

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

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

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)

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...

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

Autoimmune diseases often run in families as are very genetic

If your children have low vitamin levels they need thyroid levels tested too

Julie-74 profile image
Julie-74 in reply to SlowDragon

I've done all the private tests and I'm low in everything vitamin b12 vitamin d folate iron ferritin I've had the test for celiac was negative and had colonoscopy all negative but feel so much better gluten and dairy free.My two girls are type one diabetic my sister and her lb is too they both have thyroid disease of some kind probably same as me. All my 8 children have issues around bowel and stomach issues so as a whole family trying to go gluten free and dairy free 🤯 four of my kids have been tested for thyroid which is negative so far well according to them anyway!

Do I need to lower my dose? My levels are in my post earlier today? Thank you so much I think you are all brilliant I can learn alot from you more competent that any Dr!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Julie-74

My levels are in my post earlier today?

Can’t see any results

Test 6-8 weeks after being on constant unchanging dose and brand of levothyroxine

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

We need results and ranges for

TSH, Ft4, Ft3 - tested early morning, fasting and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin results

Plus say EXACTLY what vitamin supplements you are currently taking

Julie-74 profile image
Julie-74 in reply to SlowDragon

July and we're 0.35 (0.2-4) Hypothyroidism since 17 now 49 I know I know nothing really about my condition but I'm trying but it's hard 😞

Now they are 0.1 (0.2-4) I've been eating Brazil nuts as they can help?

This is in my post

Julie-74 profile image
Julie-74 in reply to Julie-74

Not on any vitamins at all I get three months supply of the 100mg and randomly 1 months supply of 75mg they are different brands also three months ago they sent me a different brand out do you think that's why my levels have dropped?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Julie-74

Work out which brand suits you best and then request they only supply that brand

Request GP test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

Or test privately

Level often goes haywire around menopause

Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator

Brazils contain between 50-90 ug selenium each so it’s important to only have 1-2 daily maximum. The selenium content of Brazils varies because of soil type. Doses of 400ug selenium daily have been found to be toxic. In the past I’ve taken a 200ug but this was to help with Thyroid Eye Disease symptoms & only for 6 months- I then reduced to 100ug.

I would 100% test privately if you are able for TSH, FT3 and FT4 plus key vitamins (ferritin, folate, B12 and vit D).

Julie-74 profile image
Julie-74 in reply to Buddy195

Do you think it's actually improved my levels because I've been on 175mg for yrs and it's never moved it's very interesting! I have had all the private tests and low in everything they will test! negative for pernicious anemia I will weigh the Brazil nuts ☺️

Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator

To better advise, can you please share TSH, FT3 and FT4 levels, with ranges (as these can vary between laboratories)

Julie-74 profile image
Julie-74

July they were 0.35 (0.2-4)

Now they are 0.1 (0.2-4)

Julie-74 profile image
Julie-74 in reply to Julie-74

These are TSH levels GP won't test anything else I will pay for another private test last one was three yrs ago in my last post

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