Bloods advice pls -starting T3 combo

[VEG71]

Morning everyone, hope you're good. 😁I'm getting ready to start t3 combo. There have been a few hiccups with thyroxine dosage/supply. So currently, my prescription of thyroxine has gone up to 87.5mcg, (was put down to 75 as they didn't stock 85) & 5mcg of T3. I just wanted to check in with you to see if I should be considering anything else, or in relation to my bloods? So far I'm now more aware of titration, splitting dosages and importance of optimal vits/gluten, when to test, avoid biotin before tests, thank you! 😊

I bought a medicheck thyroid blood test as i wasnt getting results from clinic, but they have now posted them. My last thyroxine bloods was on the 11th of August. I have added results to this post. Please see attached and these below, thx.

Tsh 0.76 ref 0.27 -4.20

F 4 15.5 ref 12 -22

T 3 .4 ref 4-6.8

Vit D 95 no ref (this was 35 before supplementing)

Do I need to increase vit D? Take 2500 daily currently

B12 660 ref 197-771- this seems good?

Folate 17.8 ref 2.9- 26.8 good?

Ferritin 51 ref 13-250?

I take iron 7 mg daily, increase?

What are your thoughts about these levels please?

Also taking zinc, selenium, magnesium, fish oil, vit b complex, vit k, probiotic.- is this combo OK?

I take Movicol & citalopram- anxiety & constipation, hoping this will improve when T3 levels increases.🙏

Shifting weight is really difficult, despite following slimming world and everyone else's seems to.lose on the plan when I don't. I found this easier when T 4 was around 19, before thyroxine reduced to improve tsh, endo wouldn't consider t3 whilst out of range.

Sorry for the long post, hope it all makes senses. Thank you for all tips/advice/insights and replies I do really appreciate it. ❤️

[greygoose]

Shifting weight is really difficult, despite following slimming world and everyone else's seems to.lose on the plan when I don't.

Of course you don't. Because hypo-weight gain has little to do with what you eat. It's mainly to do with lowered metabolism and water-retention. And restricting your calories is not going to help with either of those. In fact, you probably need more calories, not less. Hypo bodies do not react like euthyroid bodies, and you need calories to convert T4 to T3.

Slimming World is based mainly on reducing fat intake and that's not a good idea. The body needs fat and eating it doesn't make you fat. Low-fat diets can have a lot of undesirable consequences.

So, my advice to you would be to ditch SW - I don't suppose it's doing your moral much good! - and just eat a clean diet with lots of fresh veg and protein, and good fats like butter and olive oil, and avoid soy, artificial sweeteners and processed seed oils. And don't strees about the weight for now. Concentrate on getting your hormone levels optimised.

[VEG71 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks greygoose, yeah will ditch the slimming world, it does stress me out! I do generally try avoid all the artificial stuff. I didn't know that about the calories and conversion! What is it about soy? I've heard that before.

[greygoose in reply to VEG71]

Soy can stop thyroid hormones getting into your cells. The effect seems to vary from one person to another, but in any case, soy is not a good thing to eat. It's not a health food, as they make out.

[VEG71 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you, good to know. 👍

[GlowCoach Administrator]

Free T4 (fT4) 15.5 pmol/L (12 - 22) 35.0%

Despite a reasonable TSH of 0.76 your FT4 is still low. It would likely need to be much nearer 80%+ on Levo alone to stand a chance of having enough T4 to be able to convert to T3.

FT3 below range and you can't be feeling well.

Ideal for vit D is 100-150 so you could increase a tiny bit to raise it more.

B12 looks OK but thats not an active B12 test which would give a better idea.

Folate is good.

Ferritin slightly on the low side.

Ferritin should be around 90 - 100 for best use of thyroid hormone. Suggest increasing iron rich foods in diet and eating them often. Chicken livers, pate, red meat etc

How long have you been taking iron and is it being effective?

Do you take it with something containing vit C to help it absorb better?

If taking zinc you should also be taking copper, there are combined supplements. Zinc & copper need to balance.

Are you sure to take magnesium & iron well away from other meds & supplements?

...thyroxine reduced to improve tsh, endo wouldn't consider t3 whilst out of range.

If your Endo is concerned about TSH on Levo then things will only get worse if you add T3 as it will lower TSH further. This Endo may not get you well.

[VEG71]

Thanks Jaydee1507. Do I start the combo/ T3 and discuss with endo in Jan at my next appointment? Or ask for increase in thyroxine before i start adding t3? Not sure what to do for the best? I feel crap most of the time, it's a constant struggle! 😪 Thank u for advice re vits. I don't eat a lot of red meats, will aim to increase. Have taken iron for around 9 months. It helps the hair loss I think. Yeah I take it away from meds/vits with fresh orange. Do I need to take magnesium away from vits/meds?I take thyroxine in the morning on it's own before food etc..

[Lalatoot in reply to VEG71]

Magnesium needs to be taken at least 4 hours away from levo and t3.

[VEG71 in reply to Lalatoot]

Thanks Lalatoot, can I take magnesium with the other supplements? 👍

[Lalatoot in reply to VEG71]

I'd give the t3 a try. Then at the next appt you can ask for increase in levo if necessary.Taking t3 tends to lower tsh so I wouldn't be surprised if your TSH falls under the range again. This is not a problem but in the endos eyes it may be .

[VEG71 in reply to Lalatoot]

Thank you, keen to try and see if I can feel better than I do!

[Lalatoot in reply to VEG71]

I was housebound able to do very little before I started t3. It took 2 years of adjusting levo and t3 doses until I found the doses I wanted to stay on longer term. Those 2 years were a bit of a rollercoaster with small improvements and steps back.Now 3 years on I am out and about and things are still improving.

[VEG71 in reply to Lalatoot]

Hi lalatoot, great to hear you are getting there! Thanks for letting me know your experience of t3. I don't know anyone who has been prescribed t3 combo, it's really helpful to hear how it has been for you.Thank you. Xx

[Lalatoot in reply to VEG71]

Always happy to Tel how it has been for me.All the best.

[Brightness14]

The only time I have put on weight in my life was after my Thyroid was removed and I was put on 100 levo for 6 months. My FT3 was low and that was why.

My level of FT3 was too low and I put on weight. I have now been the same (Old weight) for over 8 years.

I have never been on a diet and eat about 2000 calories each day. Dieting is a bad idea as the body knows what it wants and that is good food. I eat a very healthy diet and have always done so.

[VEG71 in reply to Brightness14]

Thanks for the advice, have ditched slimming world and working on just eating healthy food. That's great you ate back at your old weight. Xx

[Brightness14]

I still manage a daily handful of nuts 2 Brazils, 2 Whole walnuts and 6 Almonds. I have been eating these for years now. You will be pleased to know that added to this I have a small square of Almond slice and half an apple. This is my afternoon treat.

If you stick to your own way of eating it can be interesting too not boring.

I do tend to stick to the same breakfast everyday but that's all.