I’ve been on levothyroxine since about 2005. Back up to 125 mg per day after 9 months on 100mg. Tsh was 6.9 and t4 16 when last tested in December . Although I asked for t3 to be tested no results.
im waiting for an echocardiogram in March to look at my heart as its enlarged. I’m taking spirometer readings twice a day but can’t get above 250. Is this all linked? How can I help myself please?
Probably, yes. The heart needs a lot of T3, but they rarely test that because they don't know what it is or what it does.
Can you add the range for the FT4, please? These vary from lab to lab so we always need the ranges that came with your results. 
I’ve pasted results and ranges below thank you
Looking at your Sept 2022 results you were a bad converter and this was with higher fT4....
Free T4 (fT4) 18.7 pmol/L (11 - 23) 64.2%
Free T3 (fT3) 4.09 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 26.8%
T4:T3 Ratio 4.572
So your latest result...
TSH 6.9 mIU/L (0.27 - 4.5) 156.7%
Free T4 (fT4) 16 pmol/L (11 - 23) 41.7%
Very likely your fT3 is on it's knees... how are your folate, B12, Vit D and ferritin levels?
B12 I have injections now but gp won’t give me any more folic acid. 4.8 in Dec 23. He suggested more green veg and high folate foods. I have ulcerative colitis so don’t absorb a great deal.
Vit d was 120 last private test in 2022. Feritin was high in sept 22 at 462( range 20-260) not tested since.
Im looking at restarting high dose vit d, plus k and b complex. Just trying to get my head round all the issues and how to treat myself. Thank you
OK, so your FT4 is only 49.17% through the range. And with such a high TSH, it doesn't take a genius to work out that your FT3 is going to be very low. So, really not surprising you have heart symptoms. First step should be to increase your dose of levo and see if that helps. But, if you turn out to be a poor converter - too early to tell for sure but a strong possibility - then you are going to need some T3 added.
Tsh was 6.9 and t4 16 when last tested in December
so you need to retest now after increasing to 125mcg daily
What brand of levothyroxine are you using
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 TPO and/or high TG 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.
Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease
What vitamin supplements are you taking
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
Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing
Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins
medichecks.com/products/adv...
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...
Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test
support.medichecks.com/hc/e...
Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee
Thank you. My levothyroxine make changes on a regular basis just started a new one yesterday. Teva for 25 and accord for 100mgs. I did get an early test but 9.30 so didn’t drink until after test.
I’ve ordered the comprehensive rest from medicheck so will see wha they show. I’ll start b complex folic acid and k and see if things improve. I’ll share results as I progress. Thank you
Don't take folic acid. Take methylfolate instead.
Did you know that folic acid wasn't developed and released to the public until 1943? Humans didn't evolve to cope with folic acid, and they do better on methylfolate which is the active form of folate the body can use without conversion (unlike folic acid).
If your folate is well below optimal then take 1000mcg methylfolate per day. Finish one bottle then test again to see whether you've been absorbing it well.
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
Teva upsets many people
Though for some people Teva is the best
Teva is lactose free
Are you lactose intolerant?
Accord don’t make 25mcg tablets
Don’t start vitamin B complex as you need to stop it 5-8 days before testing anyway
How much vitamin D are you currently taking
GP will often only prescribe to bring vitamin D levels to 50nmol.
Some areas will prescribe to bring levels to 75nmol or even 80nmol
leedsformulary.nhs.uk/docs/...
GP should advise on self supplementing if over 50nmol, but under 75nmol (but they rarely do)
mm.wirral.nhs.uk/document_u...
But with Hashimoto’s, improving to around 80nmol or 100nmol by self supplementing may be better
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/218...
vitamindsociety.org/pdf/Vit...
Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.
Test twice yearly when supplementing
Can test via NHS private testing service
Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function.
There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7.
One spray = 1000iu
amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...
It’s trial and error what dose we need, with thyroid issues we frequently need higher dose than average
Vitamin D and thyroid disease
grassrootshealth.net/blog/t...
Vitamin D may prevent Autoimmune disease
newscientist.com/article/23...
Web links about taking important cofactors - magnesium and Vit K2-MK7
Magnesium best taken in the afternoon or evening, but must be four hours away from levothyroxine
betterbones.com/bone-nutrit...
medicalnewstoday.com/articl...
livescience.com/61866-magne...
sciencedaily.com/releases/2...
Interesting article by Dr Malcolm Kendrick on magnesium
drmalcolmkendrick.org/categ...
Vitamin K2 mk7
I’ve not started taking anything other than Levothyroxine yet. Sorry my 100 is accord and 25 tevo.
ordering vitamins to start but not taken any yet as want to get test results back first. Test arrived today so will try tomorrow.
I’ve ordered vit d3 5000 iu.
K2 mk7 100 mcg non soya.
B complex.
Looking for magnesium glycinate 400-600 and folic acid ( or folate after reading a link here earlier)
I’m trying to increase my potassium rich foods as really seems to make a difference to me. Anything else I need please?
Hi, just had a call from my gp after echocardiogram. My results show my heart is not working well and it’s enlarged. I’m to be referred urgently to cardiology for further tests.
I tried to have testing on thyroid done at home through medichecks but couldn’t get enough blood to fill the container.
I’ve added 5000 IU vit d, complex b, k2 to my daily meds.
What tests should I be requesting at my gps please to now see if there is any improvement?
I’m also having tests to see if I have asthma but no change
on spirometer in 2 months 240-250.
left ventricular hypertrophy on letter to cardiologist. Urgent appointment requested, MRI needed. Nurse at BHF agreed hypothyroidism could affect my heart.
What tests will help before my appointment ? If GP won’t do them I will go back to medichecks and go to hospital for bloods to be taken. Will full thyroid tests be enough? Thanks SlowDragon humanbean
Mumsie22, Might be a good idea to write a new post about this. That way, there's more chance that members who can help will see it. (You can add in a link to this post for members to refer back to for the full info).
Thanks I will do. I didn’t know if you just wanted one link per person to avoid duplication.
Underactive thyroid Advice please
Help - underactive Thyroid
Help Please! Low Ferritin, Underactive Thyroid and Adrenal Insufficiency
Whats the link between underactive thyroid and depression?
Ovarian cysts & adenomyosis link to underactive thyroid
