Underactive thyroid and Pine pollen

[Ash0811]

Hi

I have had an underactive for almost 3 years now and I take Eltroxin 75mcg mon-fri and 50mcg sat-sun but have not seen any results with weight loss. I am still fatigued and still picking up weight, almost 30kg's in 3 years which is not helpful. My blood test results come back normal so I am not sure if I should try some Tertroxin T3 which is readily available over the counter here. I have also read good things about pine and bee pollen for balancing out hormones naturally, is this something I should consult my doctor with before I start? I am really at the end of my rope with this thyroid issue and willing to try anything else at this stage.

[greygoose]

Hi Ash0811, welcome to the forum.

On such a low dose of levo, you are more than likely under-medicated. When did you last have a blood test? If you've got the results and ranges, post them here and let's have a look.

As for the pine pollen... If something sounds to good to be true, then it usually is! I don't believe anything you can take will 'naturally' balance hormones - if it did, it wouldn't be natural, it would be more like a miracle! Balancing means raising if too low, and reducing if too high. How can anything do that? A lot of things can do one or the other, but not both at the same time. And, which hormones? All of them? Sounds a bit much to ask. So, whilst pine pollen may have many virtues - I don't know, I didn't even know pine trees had pollen - but I don't sorting our your hormone excesses and deficiencies is one of them. And if your thyroid is failing for some reason, there's nothing that can save it - thyroids don't regenerate.

Do you know why you are hypo? Do you have Hashi's?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

welcome to the forum

You’re only on a low dose levothyroxine

Please add most recent results

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 to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

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)

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)

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Lower vitamin levels more common as we get older

For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Also VERY important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together

What is reason for your hypothyroidism

Autoimmune?

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)

[Coulby]

Be very very care re Pine Pollen..I by accident found I was highly allergic and now have a epi pen..Have an allergy test first.🌻