Results and Advice Please

[CDN_Lady]

Hi There All,

Seeking some expertise please. These are my latest test results taken via Medichecks (finger prick) February 19th;

TSH 0.013 mIU/L (0.27 - 4.2) -6.5%

Free T4 (fT4) 5.9 pmol/L (12 - 22) -61.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 5.7 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 70.3%

T4:T3 Ratio 1.035 

Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb) 19.8 IU/mL (≤ 115)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO) 179 IU/mL (≤ 34)

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) 2.73 mg/L (0 - 3) 91.0%

Folate - Serum 34.5 ug/L (7 - 35) 98.2%

Vitamin B12 75.6 nmol/L (37.5 - 188) 25.3%

Vitamin D 188 nmol/L (50 - 250) 69.0%

Ferritin 142 ug/L (30 - 650) 18.1%

I take 37.5 mcg of levo (Mercury Pharma) - 25 mcg in the morning and 12.5 early afternoon. Plus 45 mcg of T3 ( Thybon Henning) 20mcg in the morning, 15 mcg early afternoon and 10 mcg in the evening. I supplement with Vitamin B, B12, D, magnesium citrate and glycinate, selenium, zinc, fish oil. I also take LDN (low dose naltrexone) 4.5 mcg. I used to be on high doses (100-125 mcg of levo) and 15 mcg of T3 felt terrible on this - migraines and always felt hypo. I don't think I convert T4 very well. I see an excellent private GP and went with T3 only and felt great on this initially but after a while the hypo symptoms started again and I felt a bit better with a very small dose of T4.

I have recently had pain in the upper arm (mostly left but can be right too) during the day and at night time. I thought it may have something to do with a fractured collarbone which I incurred about 10 years ago but it happens in both arms - although the right arm not so bad usually. It comes and goes but is very painful. Excruciatingly so. Is this a frozen shoulder? I had it for 3 days straight last week and could barely move my arm. Then it eased again.

My left knee is also quite sore and although I walk everyday with the dog I have had to cut back on my regular exercise routine. My sleep is not good even though I take lots of magnesium, melatonin 12mg, and l'theanine 400mg. Sometimes I do sleep well though. I can't put my finger on what I do that causes poor sleep. I am post menopausal. If I do anything particularly active during the day I know I won't sleep well. I am gluten and dairy free for the most part as I do believe I have Hashimotos. I can tolerate a small amount of sourdough bread and cheese. I would be grateful for any expert advice you may have.

Thanks so much

[Longinthetooth]

Hi I just want to say hello to you. Unfortunately, I am just a regular member of this forum. There are many members on here that have some excellent knowledge re hypo/hyperthyroidism so don't give up.

Aches & pains do come & go. Sleep can be spasmodic. Occasionally, I take Starpowa snooze gummies to help me sleep. Age is also a factor. I'm also gluten free but do eat full fat milk, butter, eggs, cheese, etc. No processed food if possible.

I'm on levothyroxine (Eltroxin) which suits me. It does take time to get your balance back but as you have an excellent doctor, you should eventually get back to better health. With each increase/decrease in medication we have to be patient till the adjustment works.

Speaking out & talking to fellow sufferers does help. There are many friends on here who have your best interests at heart.

[CDN_Lady in reply to Longinthetooth]

Thanks so much for your reply @Longinthetooth What is in Starpowa snooze gummies, do you know? Maybe I am expecting too much.

[Longinthetooth in reply to CDN_Lady]

You're not expecting too much, you just want to be well. Starpowa gummie ingredients - lavender extract, chamomile, natural sweeteners, montmorency cherry, lemon balm & some natural flavours. They're about £19/20 for a jar of 30 from H & Barrett or order online from Starpowa. Very often there is an offer on, i.e. buy one, get one free from either H & Barrett or online. They don't zonk you out the next morning.

We don't want to keep throwing our money away on 'wonder' drugs. I have to be careful as a lot of stuff doesn't agree with me. I've tried self medicating when I've read about how good something is but it's proved to be unsuitable.

Chin up & know you're not alone.

[CDN_Lady in reply to Longinthetooth]

Thank you I have boosted my probiotics and will see if that helps at all. The literature says there’s a strong connection between the gut and the thyroid.

[silverbelle51]

I am no expert, but I hate Levo. and I never had body pain until I took it, but then I never had a symptom of hypothyroid either it was all in the lab work. I have been weaned off nearly 3 years now and the quality of my life is better. I can't advise , but I can say the stuff made my life hell and triggered low grade hypertension which I have also weaned myself off the Amlodipine . I am convinced at the root of all these thyroid issues is low Iodine which you are never tested and so much soy (hormone disruptor) in so many food products. You look at some of these health sites and I see more people with problems that are on medication. I have to wonder. For me I take Dandelion to manage BP, Carnivora to maintain Immune Function, Vit B6 to undo damage Amlodipine did to my vision while I was taking it for BP , Cod Liver Oil Capsules for eyes and joints and Glucosamine MSM combo for my joints and pretty consistently I also take Vit C to generally stay healthy. It is not magic, but I sure do feel better than when I was on Levo and Amlodipine. It is right in the Mayo Clinic Literature that Levo will trigger hypertension, so it is not just me shooting my mouth off. You have to make the right decisions for yourself, but I am real sure low Iodine and soy triggers the hypothyroid . I have also been reading some of Dr. Lee Merritt's work that seems to be linking intracellular parasites to a lot of thing most scary is Cancer. I hope I have been some help . Good health and Day to you!

[CDN_Lady]

Thanks silverbelle51 I do agree with you. I think it’s better to take supplements for your health and wellbeing whenever possible. I do take some iodine about 1x weekly but not very much. I don’t touch anything with soy with a barge pole or very rarely. Touch wood I haven’t had hypertension. Best of health to you too and thank you for sharing your experience.