Just started Eltroxin

[FoxyTed]

Hi everyone and thanks for reading.

After having to go private I have been prescribed T4 50 mg.

my thyroid has been struggling almost 3 years and iv suffered a lot with no headway from GP and an Endo. My results have been fluctuating.

Latest

TSH 3.22 (0.27-4.20)

FT3 4.1 (3.1-6.8)

FT4 11.5 (12-22)

Reverse T3 12 (10-24)

Vits and iron etc all ok. Anti bodies all fine.

MY OCT 23 results same ranges were

TSH 2.34

FT3 3.9

FT4 15.7

MAY 23 results

TSH 2.79

FT3 4

FT4 11.6

MARCH 22

TSH 3.43

FT3 5.16

FT4 16.9

Could T4 work for me going by the RT3 being ok?

Also does low thyroid affect adrenals and cortisol? Iv been in this roller coaster 2/3 years and have had crashes lying on sofa so exhausted and low and anxious. Then I pick up but my energy is reduced after each bout.

My heart races, it’s a feeling of unease in my body. I have had a good 2 months as in mood but can feel hyper then tired! I do pace, I have to.

Thyroid doc has put me on a homemade adrenal cocktail and one Seriphos evening b4 bed.

could the T4 help based on my results? Just looking some reassurance as iv felt awful today and I’m hoping it’s not T med😬

Some of my symptoms are meno related like night sweats etc but I don’t want to increase my hrt atm, hoping thyroid med will help.

Thank you for reading, I know there’s always good advice on here.

[greygoose]

Could T4 work for me going by the RT3 being ok?

I don't think this question has ever been asked before. But, rT3 has nothing to do with your T4 'working' or not. rT3 is just a safety valve to get rid of excess T4. It doesn't do anything. It's just that when the FT4 gets too high and is not being converted well into T3, the T4 is converted into more rT3 than T3.

Whether or not you convert well is another question entirely. And you will not know about that until your FT4 gets a bit higher and your TSH a bit lower. Time will tell. But, if you are a poor converter it's not caused by rT3, rT3 is the result of poor conversion, not the cause.

TSH 3.22 (0.27-4.20)

FT3 4.1 (3.1-6.8) 27.03%

FT4 11.5 (12-22) -5.00%

Were these results before you started the 50 mcg levo? They certainly look as if you need some T4, it's below range! And the problems you've been having getting diagnosed is because of the low-ish TSH, which is all most doctors look at - but I expect you knew that. Trouble is, the TSH does not correspond to the low levels of thyroid hormone, so obviously a pituitary problem there. And the majority of doctors believe that everyone is blessed with a fully-functioning pituitary, so ignore the levels of the Frees. Unfortunately that is just not the case.

So, yes, taking levo will raise your FT4 level, and hopefully convert to T3 to bring up your low FT3. But, as I said, time will tell how well you convert.

Also does low thyroid affect adrenals and cortisol?

Yes, it does. Because when the thyroid hormone levels are low, the adrenals take up the slack by producing more cortisol. But, they cannot carry on doing that long term before they run out of steam.

Good that your new doc knows about the adrenal cocktail, but tired adrenals also need a lot of B vits, so have you had your vit B12 and folate tested? And you could take extra vit C, because they need a lot of that, too. And good protein for breakfast, not just toast!

[FoxyTed in reply to greygoose]

thanks GG! So I’ll have to persevere and hopefully it will work, either way there’s help I’m sure. When just starting, is it possible to feel worse before better?

My active B12 was high 150 (37.5-150)and folate 30.70 (8.83-60.8). Do you think I should continue with B complex? It was seeking health methyl free.

Yes my adrenals have def run out of steam, this has come on gradually in bouts! What can one do if it’s a pituitary problem ? Is that complicated?

Thank you for kindly replying.

[FoxyTed in reply to greygoose]

GG those results were before I began T4 iv only started that last Friday.

[FoxyTed in reply to greygoose]

GG, Did I read that things can get a bit rocky for a while? I started on Friday and I feel really tense and anx rapid heart rate, headaches are stronger?? Is there a settling in period? Tk you!

[greygoose in reply to FoxyTed]

Yes, absolutely, very rocky, sometimes. And might stay rocky until you get your increase in dose at six weeks. If the dose isn't high enough it can cause a lot of problems, but we can't start any higher. Start low and increase slowly is the protocol.

[FoxyTed in reply to greygoose]

Thanks GG, I’ll button up and hope it’s not too rocky😬yes I know you’re right we’ve to start low👍

[greygoose in reply to FoxyTed]

You're welcome.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Vits and iron etc all ok. Anti bodies all fine.

Have you tested BOTH TPO and TG antibodies

If both are negative, have you had ultrasound scan of thyroid

Optimal vitamin levels are

Vitamin D at least over 80nmol

Serum B12 over 500

Active B12 over 70

Folate towards top of range

Ferritin at least over 70

Are your vitamins at least this good

What supplements are you taking

[FoxyTed in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes Slow, anti bodies all tested but haven’t had a scan. Folate 30.70 (8.83-60.8) room for improvement?? Would u say?

Active B12 150 (37.5-150) TOP of range

Ferritin 104 (13-150)

I was taking seeking health MF B complex but iv stopped because of high B12, it’s always high!

Tk you

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Well done for starting treatment. A few points about Levo.

Which brand Levo are you taking?

It's ideal if you can always get the same brand of levo at every prescription. You can do this by getting GP to write the brand you prefer in the first line of the prescription. Many people find that different brands are not interchangeable.

Always take Levo on an empty stomach an hour away from food or caffeine containing drinks & other meds. Many people find taking it at bedtime works well for them.

Exactly what were your vitamin results and the range for each test? We need OPTIMAL levels for our thyroid hormone to work well.

[FoxyTed in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hi Jaydee, iv just started for first time and it’s Eltroxin (mercury pharma)

My TSH is below range so it’s clouding things🤷‍♀️GP would not prescribe even though my T4 and 3 were low.

I just seem to be affected badly with the lowering of these hormones😬

I have posted my vits etc above to slow dragon.

Tk you!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to FoxyTed]

If you get on alright with the Eltroxin then try and get that brand everytime.

You certainly would be unwell with low thyroid hormones. GP's especially only relaly look at TSH and its not always the best indicator.

[FoxyTed in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thanks Jaydee, yes I’m looking forward to feeling better but it’s ond rocky road as most of us know!