I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism formally in July 2020, and put on 50mg Levo initially although my TSH levels had been over 5 for the 2 years prior to 2020 with the GP saying they would just monitor 🤦🏼♀️ subsequent blood tests after starting Levo showed the TSH was up and down, but GP kept saying it was “in normal range” The range for all of these tests was always 0.35-4.94
Sep 20=TSH 1.93.
Nov 2021=5.11.
Jan 2022=0.251. - at this stage the dose of Levo was increased to 50/75 alternate days which is what I’m still on now
April 22= 2.32.
Aug 22=0.537.
Sep 2023=2.46
I never had T3 or T4 checked but would get yearly B12, Folate, Vit D, Ferratin checks and over the last few years those levels have all slowly dropped and dropped and are all now on the lower end of normal. Last September my active B12 was 65, (range of 51-128 pmol/L) and I dropped on a lovely locum GP who started me on B12 injections.
I’ve also gone through an early menopause so I’m on HRT and suffer with MS but touch wood I don’t take any meds for that currently.
I get very weary (which I used to put down to the ms) especially late afternoon when I could fall asleep easily, brain fog, itching, anxiety, all of which I could also blame on the menopause/ms but recently the worst new symptom is hair loss. It has got so bad I’m bald underneath the top layer on one side.
I had stopped the HRT in November 2023 as I had changed dose/brand and felt it was making me even more anxious than normal. So when I went to the GP a few weeks ago she readily agreed to a prescription for my old brand and dose of HRT but ignored the request for getting my thyroid re checked saying “it was fine in September” She said if the hrt didn’t help the hair loss she’d refer me to dermatology but I really don’t feel dermatology is the answer.
So I got a Medichecks test and the results are now in as of today
TSH 2.86 (range 0.27-4.2)
T3 3.8 (range 3.1-6.8)
T4 17.5 (range 12-22)
Vit D 70.8 (range 50-250)
Active B12 135 (range 37.5-188) so this has definitely increased thanks to the injections.
Folate Serum 16.7 (range >7)
Thyroglobulin antibodies 16.3 (range 0-115)
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies 16.4 (range 0-34)
Ferritin 133 (range 30-207)
The test was taken at 9.10 of the morning, and no Levo had been taken since the previous morning and I hadn’t eaten of the morning of the test either.
Some help/advice on dosage etc would be so helpful, the hairloss is awful, and I really feel that I could deal with and need a slightly higher dose of Levo which hopefully with help combat the hair loss. I’ve learnt so much from this forum, so many thanks 😊
Sam
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Henwood
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Oh dear, another useless GP! Just because your thyroid was 'fine' in September - which I somehow doubt, anyway - doesn't automatically mean it's 'fine' now. And it certainly isn't! Your TSH is far too high for someone on thyroid hormone replacement, and your FT3 is in your boots!
T3 3.8 (range 3.1-6.8) 18.92%
T4 17.5 (range 12-22) 55.00%
Your FT4 is only 55.00% through the range, when you probably need it more like 75%, and you're FT3 is a miniscule 18.92%. So not surprising you're having symptoms like hair-loss. You are probably a poor converter, but haven't really got enough to convert. And the first thing you need is an increase of 25 mcg levo.
Last September my active B12 was 65, (range of 51-128 pmol/L) and I dropped on a lovely locum GP who started me on B12 injections.
Did he tell you to take a B complex daily when on B12 injections, to keep the Bs balanced? Your levels of B12 in the blood may be good now, but is it actually doing anything for you? Possibly not because all the Bs work together.
As I’m currently on 50/75 on alternate days, would you think 75 every day to start, then to re test and then potentially onto 100 every day, or do you think 100 every day now?
From reading on here I know I’ve got to get the Tsh below 2 and for me probably around 1.
I will go back to my gp armed with me new test results and info, but I’m not expecting anything positive. The gp who refused to re test a few weeks ago is one of the main partners and I always think too that money comes into it 🙄 I’m going to try getting a locum next time as they from experience seem a bit better and don’t think about costs.
No I wasn’t told to take a b complex but from reading on here, I know it’s wise to, so will invest in Igennus or Thorne basic.
I’m not as weary or fatigued as I was before the B12 injections, but I’m not sure it’s all down to the injections. My MS wasn’t happy either last September so it’s hard to know the true cause and why it’s now better.
More likely TSH below 1. From what I've seen on here, very few people feel well with a TSH much over 1. But, not a good idea to increase by more than 25 mcg at a time, so best to go to 75 mcg daily, first.
The gp who refused to re test a few weeks ago is one of the main partners and I always think too that money comes into it
Oh, it definitely does! God forbid they should spend their precious budgets on making patients well!
Welcome to the group. If you could complete your profile it helps members understand your thyroid journey so far and be able to advise you better. Click on your image icon to start. Fill out the free text box at the top.
A dose of 50/75 is a very low dose, I'm assuming you are a petite person?
Many doctors think its safe to keep our results in the middle of the normal range. It might be safe but it leaves us unwell and to feel well most people need their TSH at or below 1 which is what you need to aim for.
You may need to insist on a dose increase and be persistent in asking for it.
Free T4 (fT4) 17.5 pmol/L (12 - 22) 55.0%
Free T3 (fT3) 3.8 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 18.9%
Your conversion rate isn't great but FT4 at 55% and TSH above 2 mean you have plenty of room for an increase of 25mcgs.
Your FT3 is low in range which will likely be causing you symptoms.
Low ferritin or iron is known to cause hair loss. You could ask for a full iron panel or buy one privately. Its possible to have good ferritin and low iron.
See link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost.thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...
There is also a new company offering walk in (includes free blood draw) & mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...
Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.
You were very lucky to get B12 injections for a low active B12!
Its still recommended to take a B complex if having B12 injections. This helps keep all the B's in balance.
Vitamin D should be around 100 - 150. Buy one that includes vit K2 to help it go to your bones. Some are available in oil or you can take it with an oily meal for better absorption. Many members like the ‘Better You’ range of mouth sprays that contain both bit D & K2. Use this calculator to work out how much to take to get your level to 100-150.grassrootshealth.net/projec...
Thanks so much for the reply, I’ll definitely get my profile filled in.
I am quite petite, 5 foot 4 and about 8 stone, but like you say I’m in agreement that I need a higher dose and a Tsh of preferably 1 or below.
I’m going to re book at the drs and try to get a locum. The last appointment was with one of the main partners who I think looks at cost of everything too much, as well as not being that interested 🙄
I will be persistent, and go armed with my new info from here, although I also dread the battle!
I’ve only ever had ferritin tested,so yes I think I will do a private full iron panel.
Greygoose also said about the vit B complex and so I’m going to get either the Thorne basic, or the igennus one. The locum who suggested the b12 injection was quite good and said because my levels were continually dropping and because of the MS as well then having the B12 wouldn’t hurt. However when I went with the hair loss a few weeks ago the partner GP said “ooh you don’t need them” and I think may have cancelled the next one 🤦🏼♀️
I’ve had one of the Vit D Better You mouth sprays arrive, the one with the K2 in so I’m going to start on that as well.
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