Can of worms

[Baobabs]

I have always been grateful for all the help I have received from HealthUnlocked since I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's some eight years ago. For the last few years, I have done very well on 100 mcgs of Levothyroxine and 8 mcgs T3 per day. I find a Keto, completely gluten free and almost entirely organic diet suits me fine. I supplement with vitamin D, B12, Magnesium, vitamin C and Omega 3. I am very petite at 5 foot one inch and weighing 47 kilos. Recently I had a blood test and all was fine apart from my GP almost having a heart attack regarding my suppressed TSH. She insisted I reduce my T4 by 25mcgs. I did this seven weeks ago and I have become tired, having to rest in the afternoons, no longer able to do my regular gym sessions and very irritable. Recently I have begun to have the occasional heart palpitation. My GP has insisted I see an Endocrinologist. I have worked around the world and this will be my 11th Endo. I am dreading it as none of them seem to understand that T3 will suppress a TSH level. The last ultra sound I had on my thyroid showed the gland had completely shrunk and my Endo said it was unlikely to be functioning or producing any thyroid hormones at this stage.

My recent results are as follows

T4 1,20 ng/dl range 0,70 to 1,48

T3 3,12 pg/mL range 1,58 to 3,91

TSH <0.008 uU1/mL range 0,350 to 4,95

Vit D3 80 ng/mL range 30 to 100sufficient

Vit B12 626 pg/mL range 187 to 883

Ferritin 113 ng/mL range 20 to 275 I was not particularly happy with this level but the GP said it was fine?

I would be grateful for any advice before seeing the Endocrinologist. Really dreading the visit.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

put your dose levothyroxine back up ……and highly likely palpitations will stop,

[Baobabs in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much.

[Baobabs in reply to SlowDragon]

I was so upset a few years ago when working in Saudi and my Endo said a suppressed TSH could cause heart problems. I ordered a complete heart assessment, ECG, echo and 24 hour monitor. The result was an exceptional heart function for my age!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Baobabs]

Every time I have experimented with reducing dose levothyroxine or T3 after about 12-18 weeks ectopic heart beats start and get worse and worse

Putting dose back……after 8-10 weeks…..all stops

[Baobabs in reply to SlowDragon]

I am so grateful for your response. In the early days of my diagnosis this site was my absolute lifeline. I have been told that a suppressed TSH will result in heart disease and osteoporosis but no Endo can show me the research papers to support the claim. They just think I’m being difficult if I ask!

[tj61 in reply to Baobabs]

I suggested to my Endo that if he was concerned, we should do tests for baseline, so we could monitor any harm from suppressed TSH. You may be unsurprised to hear that he wasn't interested in doing that

[Baobabs in reply to tj61]

Yes, thank you for that! I thought I would also ask for him to do the genetic DI01 and DIO2 test plus full heart and bone density appraisal. I live in Spain and I don’t speak the language very well. For once, I’m hoping lost in translation saves the day!

[Baobabs in reply to tj61]

I also thought I would ask the Endo to forward to me all the research papers he knows of that illustrate the demise caused by a suppressed TSH

[humanbean]

Regarding hypothyroidism and the heart here are some links you might find useful and interesting :

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

A quote from the above link :

In advanced heart failure and shortly after myocardial infarction, the conversion of T4 to T3 decreases. Since T3 is the main regulator of gene expression in myocardial muscle, this decrease has been thought to affect myocardial contractility and remodeling.7 Low free T3 levels also have been associated with increased mortality in patients with heart disease.

thyroidpatients.ca/2018/07/...

ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161...

ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161...

bmccardiovascdisord.biomedc...

[Baobabs in reply to humanbean]

I much appreciate the time you have taken to forward this research. I am currently ploughing through it. Many thanks!