Hormone testing and balancing

[Geegee777]

Hi, I have hashimotos. Taking t4/t3 combination. Presently I think I'm nearing to optimising my medication, but would like to know more about my hormones. Having been on my thyroid journey for 4years, I've learnt so much and feel confident to learn more and help myself if needed. Any advice regarding this will be very much appreciated, as with everything else, it's a mine field out there🌸🌸

[Jazzw]

What would you like help with? 🙂

When you posted about a week ago you said you were coming under pressure to reduce levothyroxine because of your suppressed TSH—but you didn’t mention then that you were already on T3?

How long have you been taking T3? How much are you taking and how much levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Lots of people here will be happy to help—we’ll just need a bit more info about what sort of help you need. x

[Geegee777 in reply to Jazzw]

Hi. Been taking t3 approx 2yrs. 3 doses 5mcg throughout day and 125mcg levo started August 5th and noticing subtle changes....for the better.I'm interested in finding out my estrogen and other hormones. As I'm 58 and feeling the best I've been for some years. However I would like to know what hormone test to buy for overall picture.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Geegee777]

randoxhealth.com/en-GB/at-h...

[Moye75 in reply to Geegee777]

I only recently found out how the thyroid hormones are linked to estrogen. I’m 49 and just started hrt but I’ve read that hrt can affect thyroid meds and sometimes they’ll need to be increased when starting hrt. Apparently, higher levels of estrogen, or estrogen dominance (which can be low levels of estrogen but an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone), can cause lower levels of the thryoid hormone. It’s apparently common for women to start to have issues with their thyroid around perimenopause (which we know occurs years before actual menopause) so I think in many cases, it’s directly linked to the hormone levels. It’s also super important to support your adrenals around this stage as it’s the adrenals that take over the production of estrogen after the ovaries shut down and often, due to stress, our adrenals are weakened.

[Geegee777 in reply to Moye75]

Hi, so it's a good idea to get my cortisol levels checked as well?If I check all my hormones, to see if there is an imbalance also include cortisol levels.might it be a good starting point?

[Moye75 in reply to Geegee777]

Yes, it’s tricky as high cortisol and low cortisol symptoms are similar. But a sign of adrenal dysfunction is cortisol spiking at night/during sleep causing sleep issues (been there 😭).

[Geegee777 in reply to Moye75]

Aahhh, I do get occasional sleepless or poor quality sleep.

[Moye75 in reply to Geegee777]

Of course it could also be low b vitamins as ‘we’ quite often have low b12 which also affects our gut and absorption of other vitamins/minerals. Apparently if you’re sleeping and pooping well, it’s a sign that everything is good 😁 It’s all sooo complicated and confusing. The more I know, the more I realise I don’t understand…But I’m pretty sure I know more than my GP! 🤣

[AKatieD in reply to Moye75]

Nice summary Moye75 😀

[Moye75 in reply to AKatieD]

Why thank you 😆 my knowledge is all thanks to my shitty health the last few years 🤣 But knowledge is power ✊🏻

[Geegee777 in reply to Moye75]

Yes, mines been crappy years before being diagnosed and not sure if covid hasn't helped either....The fight goes on🥊

[Moye75 in reply to Geegee777]

I’m convinced I have pernicious anemia as I kept becoming anemic and had issues with anxiety and depression on and off since about aged 30. I’ve since found out there’s a link between low b12 and hashimotos and that pernicious anemia and hashimotos go hand in hand but pernicious anemia isn’t usually picked up until after 60, usually coming on about 30. Waiting to test but supplementing sublingual b12 and already feeling better.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Moye75]

If you do think you have Pernicious Anaemia, I suggest going to the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum:

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

There are lots of issues about getting tested and what impact any B12 supplementation has on tests. And most people with PA do not feel much, if any, benefit from any non-injected B12.

[Moye75 in reply to helvella]

Yes, been on there. There’s something called passive diffusion so super high oral doses can still have a 1% absorption which is not affected by the lack of intrinsic factor or gut issues. Plus testing is a nightmare as it has a high false negative result so you might have to test more than once.

[Geegee777 in reply to Moye75]

My b vits are over range and I don't supplement, not sure what that's about, but I feel good and hopeful to continue. I'm glad supplements are working g fir you, I supplement vitd, as was initially very low, now in above nhs ranges, which I don't follow, I used judson sommerville as my vitamins d guideline

[Moye75 in reply to Geegee777]

B12 and folate can come up as high if you have PA antibodies. Hashi’s and PA often occur together. Serum levels are not a reliable method for actual levels.

[Geegee777 in reply to Moye75]

So I may have obset pernicious anemia due to high b12? oh dear, another avenue of discovery on the thyroid journey

[helvella Administrator in reply to Geegee777]

Looks like a bit of confusion here!

High B12 in blood (serum) can occur in several diseases. Think of existing stores of B12, such as the liver, releasing it into the blood.

However, that is very different to pernicious anaemia - where the stomach becomes unable to produce the Intrinsic Factor required to absorb B12.

Vitamin B12 deficiency in over 16s: diagnosis and management

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng239/...

[Jazzw]

Is this the current state of play (as taken from your bio)?

Update, I've increased my levo slowly and am now taking 125mcg levo alongside my t3, 5mcg in 3 doses. Feeling the best I've been for a long time, my gp wants to reduce my levo to 75mcg and he's not budging,

[Geegee777 in reply to Jazzw]

Yes. I'm also trying to source teva levothyroxine as gp not increasing my dose and endo appointment in October..I will run out in a couple of weeks, next prescription due Sept 7th