I’m on thyroxine 100 mcg at the moment. In January I was taking 100 for 2 days and 125 on the 3rd day. My TSH was suppressed, which it has been for years and this time FT4 was 17.8 (range 7.9-14.4) so I reduced down to 100 every day. In May my FT4 went up to 19.3, so the opposite to what it should have done by reducing my dose. I didn’t want to reduce my dose further and had a test done last week and my FT4 is 17.7. I asked for a FT3 test as in the past that was always tested but FT4 and that was usually in range. They didn’t do it even though the doctor and nurse requested it.
I’m waiting for a call from my doctor but I’m reluctant to reduce my dose to 75. I don’t know whether to insist on having FT3 tested first. I’m not having hypo symptoms, if anything I’ve gained a few pounds. Shouldn’t I have lost weight if I’m taking too much thyroxine?
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Tjqui00
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I do have hashimotos and in May my TPO antibodies I think it’s called were over 1,000, I had a private test in July and my FT3 was 7 when the range was 3.1-6.8, so I don’t think I have a conversion problem.
I didn’t know too high FT4 increases the risk of cancer. Would that be thyroid cancer?
I don’t think we can get T3 prescribed in the UK on the NHS.
You have Hashimoto’s as confirmed by high thyroid antibodies
What vitamin supplements are you taking
Reducing dose Levo frequently results in lower Ft3 and then lower Vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels results in worse conversion of Ft4 to Ft3
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
Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing
yes I have hashimotos and very high antibodies. I had a private test through medichecks in July and my FT3 was 7 when the range was 3.1-6.8, FT4 was 29.5 and range was 12-22. Does this mean I haven’t got a conversion issue. I want to check the FT3 to see if it’s come down into the range.
I don’t regularly take vitamins. I take vitamin d with k2, vitamin b12 and folic acid occasionally. I bought selenium but wasn’t sure if I should take them.
My recent test results were - TSH <0.02 (range 0.38-5.33. FT4 17.7 (range 7.9-14.4). It was 19.3 in May, 17.8 in January. I was meant to have FT3 tested but it wasn’t and hasn’t been since last year when I think it was at the upper end of normal range. It has been in the middle of range before. They seemed to have stopped testing FT3 now so that’s why I had it tested in July through medichecks.
Do you think I should refuse to reduce my thyroxine until I’ve had FT3 tested? I’m worried after DippyDame said about the increase risk of cancer now because of high FT4.
I was erring on the side of caution so that you don't consistently overlook high FT4...
But now you have confirmed Hashi's.
Your FT4 has started to drop now so likely a Hashi flare as we suggested above.
Have another full thyroid test ( see above) to check current levels.
You need to be on a steady dose of hormone for 6/8 weeks before testing so that serum level has settled.
If you are testing soon I wouldn't change the dose before the test....we'll check with SlowDragon . I jumped in on your reply to her when I saw my name mentioned.
Don't worry ....you'll be fine once your medication is sorted out.
just the point about gaining weight as you describe when levo T4 levels are over range - my sister has to have over range T4 and suppressed TSH as she had thyroid cancer ( it stops the cancer returning) - she has piled on loads of weight and no matter what she tries to do to reduce her weight she just can’t. There must be a link with over dosing T4 and weight gain. I have Hashimotos and I’m taking combination treatment Levo t4 and lio T3 I don’t have a weight issue and I keep my levels and TSH all within range which gives me bags of energy to move and keep fit.
Mine isn’t loads, just over 2 pounds in 5 months but I was surprised I wasn’t losing if I am taking too much thyroxine. I’m quite small but my weight doesn’t usually change much and it hasn’t gone over what I was 5 months ago in about 8 years, so I’m a bit heavier than I have been in a long time. I can’t decide whether to reduce my dose a bit or wait for a FT3 test. I had a call from the pharmacy with a message from my doctor yesterday saying she thinks I should reduce down to 75, but I said if I do reduce my dose, I’ll take 100 for 2 days and 75 on the 3rd day.
Oh didn’t realise your weight had only gone up 2lbs which is nothing really. I put on 4st when grossly under medicated and my sister 2st grossly over medication. Weird but true. I’ve lost all that weight now I’m on T3.
I’d wait until you have your T3 test before dropping T4 dose. If your T3 ends up low and T4 very high that’ll give the evidence you are a poor converter.
4 pounds in the last year but my weight usually only fluctuates by 2 pounds. I’ve had a text to book another blood test and apparently T3 is being tested as well this time, assume it’s FT3. I’ve booked it for 3 weeks time.
I was slightly overmedicated for a few months - my FT4 was about two points over range and my FT3 was high but in range. I started to lose weight and to poop much more frequently.
Following advice on here I reduced by 12mcg daily average (skipping 1x100mng dose per week) but continued to lose weight (and frequent bowel movements) for the following year. I was 10.5 stone - now 8.5 stone. Apologies to all those who cannot lose weight but it just shows there’s not a lot of rhyme or reason to it.
If it’s any comfort to heavier friends I’d been a bit overweight all my life and now, at 70, I’m a bit scrawny, having lost muscle as well as fat. I’d have have been thrilled to have lost this weight in my younger days - now I don’t really care but just want to be healthy.
I was on 100mcg when overmeficated and dropped to 85mcg. Then this year a GP decided to reduce me to 75mcg. I stuck it out for six weeks….my TSH didn’t rise and surprisingly my FT4 only dropped from 18.2 to 18. (12-22). I complained and got my dose put back up to 100, of which I’m taking 87mcg and going to retest soon. Weight still 8 stone 7 - it didn’t really change on the lower dose.
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