inflammation in my body

[elwins]

I am on thyroxine and T3 have developed inflammation in my body, have had T3 and Tsh tested recently. Could thyroid antibodies be causing my problems. Have been on thyroxine for over 70 years. Latest results

TSH 0.03 mu/L range 0.35-4.9

Serum free triodothyroxine level 3.09 pmolL range 2.4 -6.0

I am under a well known thyroid specialist. Seeing him by zoom privately.

Who has requested various tests which my doctor’s have done on the NHS.

taking half a tablet T3 each day split into 2 doses. Then 50 thyroxine a day

Trying to find out what is causing my raised ESR levels

Symptoms of extreme fatigue, thinning hair, and achy body.

Any advice would be welcome

Thanks

[GlowCoach Administrator]

50mcgs Levo a day is a low dose in combi therapy.

Do you have an FT4 result as well with these results?

How did you take the test? Time of day? Last dose of Levo & T3 were taken how long before the test?

What are you supplementing with?

What are your latest results for ferritin, folate, B12 & D3?

[elwins in reply to GlowCoach]

Had tests done as advised on this site.

Vit d 80 nmol/ range 50-200

B12 366 ng/L range 187-883

Folate 12.3 ug/L range 3.1-20

ferritin done 26 March 171 ug/L range 30-332

Everything else done 17 May

only free T4 13.6 pmol/L range 9.1-17.6

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to elwins]

Its more likely that low thyroid hormone levels are causing your symptoms than antibodies.

Your FT4 is only 53% of range and needs to be much higher.

Are you taking any supplements - which ones?

Your B12 level is quite low so you wont be able to convert well and use your thyroid hormone well.

Are you vegan or vegetarian? If not:

B12 - do you have symptoms of B12 deficiency? The reference range for B12 is very wide and cut off point too low. theb12society.com/signs-and...

If you do then you should discuss this with your doctor for further tests for Pernicious Anaemia.

If not, then start with a methyl B12 sublingual spray or lozenge for a week, then add a good B complex. Once you run out of the separate B12 just continue with the B complex.

cytoplan.co.uk/vitamin-b12-...

amazon.co.uk/Better-You-Boo...

B complex suggestions: Slightly cheaper options with inactive B6:

amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...

Contains B6 as P5P an active form:

bigvits.co.uk/thorne-resear...

healf.com/products/basic-b-...

Explanation about the different forms of B6:

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

B complex comparison spreadsheet:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

You may yet benefit from adding a small amoutn of T3 but need to get your FT4 higher first to see if its still required.

[elwins in reply to GlowCoach]

Only gluten free, not vegan or vegetarian. Take vitamin d and vitamin b12 use better you spray. Thanks for advice.

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to elwins]

Recommend aadding in a good B complex, some suggestions above.

[Pinkisland in reply to GlowCoach]

Hi Jaydee, please can you explain the difference between inactive B6 and B6 as P5P an active form. I would like to take a B complex without B6 if there is one, as I suffer from neuropathy. Many thanks

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to Pinkisland]

This link will explain the difference between the 2 forms of B6:

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

If you buy the P-5-P form in a low dose you should be fine.

[Pinkisland in reply to GlowCoach]

Can you please recommend a B complex which is in the P-5-P form.

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to Pinkisland]

There are 2 on the list above. Thorne Basic B is one.

[Pinkisland in reply to GlowCoach]

Thank you

[FW23 in reply to Pinkisland]

Hi Pinkisland hope you don't mind me asking an off shoot question? I have neuropathy which I can't get rid of. Is there a conection with B6. Thanks

[Pinkisland in reply to FW23]

I believe there might be from my limited knowledge and reading but I'm no expert. That is why I am trying to find a B complex with the right kind and amount of B6.

[FW23 in reply to Pinkisland]

Thsnk you.

[Kmollls in reply to GlowCoach]

I’m so glad I found this site bc you are so helpful!

[greygoose]

Your FT3 is very low:

FT3: 3.09 pmol/l (Range 2.4 - 6) 19.17%

Not surprising you have hypo symptoms like fatigue and hair-loss. And that could very well be what's causing your inflammation.

[elwins in reply to greygoose]

Thanks much appreciated. Started taking T3 after blood test done on advice of Professor. Cannot mention name due to guidelines.

[greygoose in reply to elwins]

no, no, I wouldn't expect you to. But you do need an increase in your dose of T3. It's much too low for good health.

[Kimkat in reply to greygoose]

I’m on the same dose but it’s because I have a pacemaker so he’s starting off low with a possibility of increasing gradually

[greygoose in reply to Kimkat]

That's the way it should be done with or without a pacemaker. But it can be too gradual, which is not good either. How long have you been on your present dose,

[Kimkat in reply to greygoose]

I only started it on Sunday, my gp practice still haven’t made up their minds whether I should be given it on prescription or not, so while they’re deliberating I ordered some through the private endocrinologist 🙂

[greygoose in reply to Kimkat]

Ah, ok, so that blood test was done before you started it! That explains it. lol So, it's too early to tell anything. But pretty sure it's that low FT3 that is causing the symptoms.

[Kimkat in reply to greygoose]

yes I have another appointment in 6 weeks time to see how I’m getting on

[greygoose in reply to Kimkat]

Right. So how much T3 are you taking? Waiting six weeks is a bit excessive. If you started on 5 mcg, in theory you could increase that by 5 mcg in two weeks time.

[Kimkat in reply to greygoose]

It’s actually 5 weeks I wrongly calculated that. I take 10 mcg a day at the moment split into 2 doses . The endos secretary did say she would contact me in a couple of weeks to see how I’m getting on.

[greygoose in reply to Kimkat]

ok well that's actually rather a high starting dose. We normally advise starting on 5 mcg.

[Kimkat in reply to greygoose]

Is that 5 mcg once a day?

[greygoose in reply to Kimkat]

yes

[Kimkat in reply to greygoose]

Oh ok, the Prof I am seeing said that I needed 5 twice a day so I went with that. I feel ok at the mo, not sure when it will kick in

[greygoose in reply to Kimkat]

You may very well need that, but it could be too high to start on - especially as he said he was starting you low due to your pace maker! I thought you were going to say 2.5 mcg! lol So, be aware he doesn't know much about dosing. Any future increases should be no more than 5 mcg.

[Kimkat in reply to greygoose]

I have emailed his secretary, just in case but he did say to split my tablets into quarters ( they are 20mg) and take one quarter in the morning with my Levo and another quarter in the afternoon

[greygoose in reply to Kimkat]

Yes, I'm sure he did. But that doesn't make him right.

If you're ok on that dose, that's fine. But just be aware that in the future, he might want to increase by too much because he doesn't really understand what he's dealing with.

[Kimkat in reply to greygoose]

He did say that I may be good on that dose and that I may not need an increase, only the blood tests will determine that, I suppose it’s all trial and error but fingers crossed. I haven’t had any palpitations yet anyway 🤞🏼

[greygoose in reply to Kimkat]

It should be how you feel that determines that. But, you do realise that your TSH is going to be very low on 10 mcg T3. I hope he understands that.

[Kimkat in reply to greygoose]

I hope he understands that too, he’s not cheap 😄 I’ll see what his secretary comes back with after my email.

[Kimkat in reply to greygoose]

This is my latest blood tests from June

Blood tests

[greygoose in reply to Kimkat]

So, that was before you started the T3. Well, you obviously needed it. You're a very poor converter according to those results.

But, did you leave a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the blood draw?

[Kimkat in reply to greygoose]

Always 🙂

[greygoose in reply to Kimkat]

Good.

[sparkly]

My crp has been raised for years and not one gp or consultant bats an eye and just change conversation when I bring it up. It is something to keep an eye on but likely you never find out what causes it.I'm hoping mine will finally be in normal range as I've hopefully reversed my fatty liver and high/ low cholesterols and likely insulin resistance.

I know crp was very high when liver ALT's were sky high so that definitely plays apart in it for me

[radd]

elwins,

All antibodies create inflammation.

Usually good and necessary that help deal with and heal cuts, infections, colds, etc. Once resolution is found the inflammation reduces. This is a healthy immune response.

Auto-antibodies created by attacks on self healthy tissue are not a healthy response and these antibody type can linger for many years creating chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation causes further damage, invites other conditions and becomes self driving.

This is why many members advocate to reduce their thyroid antibodies, so reducing unwanted and damaging inflammation.

[Otto11]

Hi have I missed it but you didn’t say what your ESR level is.

[Puddingym]

sorry to hear about your aches. I was quite similar, frizzy hair, aching was horrible, tired and skin gone to pot. All my levels were fine apart from my TSH, I saw a NHS doctor and he said the TSH will always be high as I have an autoimmune disease. It will never come down. All that aside I started taking wild yam cream from Napiers of Edinburgh and the aches almost went immediately, it’s amazing, look into it and let me know what you think, worth a try. If you don’t mind, Could you let me have your private thyroid consultants No, I could do with seeing one, as I would like to get clarification on my TSH. Thanks.

[elwins in reply to Puddingym]

Replied to you personally following correct guidelines of the site.

[elwins]

thanks everyone for your advice my ESR level is 50 mm/h range 1.0-20.0.

[Brightness14]

i have no thyroid and have experienced the same symptoms as you especially inflammation when my FT3 is too low yours is low . Also 50 Levo is small to.

[elwins]

thanks for that.

[Dahli]

Hi. Please can I just check some of your symptoms, is any of the discomfort involving shoulder joints, knees or ankles & on both sides? Gill

[elwins in reply to Dahli]

On both sides ankles and feet plus I have ave problems with lower back.