Good Morning Greetings EveryoneI'm just wondering, if anyone else has had the experience of being told they've one infection following another, since their Underactive Thyroid Diagnosis
I was informed yet again, 2 days ago, of this & just prescribed more antibiotics
I'm wondering why, doctors don't seem to wish to investigate underlying causes of repeated back to back infections, or am I alone in these types of experiences? I'm Praying For The Utmost Best For Everyone
Thank you for being here
welcome to the forum
Possibly not on high enough dose levothyroxine yet?
How long since you were diagnosed as hypothyroid
Is your hypothyroidism autoimmune
How much levothyroxine are you currently taking
What were most recent thyroid and vitamin 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)
NHS only tests TG antibodies if TPO are high
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
VERY important to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together
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)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
Post all about what time of day to test
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing
Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins
medichecks.com/products/adv...
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee
Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.
Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test
support.medichecks.com/hc/e...
Thank you immensely for your enlightenments & Insightfulness God bless youI was diagnosed approximately 27 years ago
I've never heard it confirmed by a doctor that my Underactive Thyroid is autoimmune but have always heard & read Hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease
I really don't comprehend the readings /results of Blood tests T3 T4 etc
I've never understood them or the differences
I'm completely overwhelmed by the results & their meanings
Up until approximately 5 to 6 Months ago I was on a high enough dosage of Levothyroxine
But the nurse said my results showed that one of them was pushing the other up or down so she lowered my Levothyroxine & since she's done this, my hair has started falling out again, become Immensely dry, feel so fatigued etc
So the nurse lowering my Levothyroxine can't be a good thing
Now I'm scared to go for more blood tests because the last one I had she wished to lower my Levothyroxine yet again
So understandably why would I sabotage myself again
I can't afford private tests
Is there one you could please kindly recommend which is free or at a low cost please? Thank you again very much sincerely
Suggest you request FULL thyroid and vitamin testing via GP
Book early morning test
Politely insist they test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3
TSH = message from pituitary telling thyroid to work.
On replacement thyroid hormones TSH is often very low ….below range. It’s irrelevant as long as Ft3 is not too high …..but far too many medics are incorrectly obsessed with keeping TSH within range ….to the extreme detriment of patients
Ft4 = the dose Levo you are taking. Important to take last dose 24 hours before test
Ft3 = the level of active hormone
Ideally you would have BOTH Ft4 and Ft3 roughly in equal levels…..ideally at least 60-70% through range
On ONLY Levo it’s common to have higher Ft4 and lower Ft3 ….known as poor conversion
Poor conversion leads to lower stomach acid, and poor nutrient absorption…..and low vitamin levels
For GOOD conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we MUST have GOOD vitamin levels
Request GP/nurse test
Vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin
Extremely common to need to supplement to maintain GOOD vitamin levels
A) on levothyroxine, especially with autoimmune diseases
B) as we get older
What vitamin supplements are you taking….if any
see what tests you can get via GP/nurse for free
Then test any missing ones privately
Monitor My Health (NHS private test service) offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65
(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies)
monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...
10% off code here
thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...
Randox FULL thyroid test including both thyroid antibodies just £29
Available to order via Amazon
Test at home or in clinic
But the nurse said my results showed that one of them was pushing the other up or down so she lowered my Levothyroxine & since she's done this, my hair has started falling out again, become Immensely dry, feel so fatigued etc
Hairloss suggests low iron/ferritin
Can you add the results that caused dose reduction
How much were you taking and which brand
What dose and brand now
Now I'm scared to go for more blood tests because the last one I had she wished to lower my Levothyroxine yet again
So understandably why would I sabotage myself again
If GP says " I have to reduce your dose because the guidelines say i can't let you have a below range TSH" .....
The first paragraph in the NICE (NHS) Thyroid Disease, Assessment and Management guidelines says :
nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145
"Your responsibility
The recommendations in this guideline represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, professionals and practitioners are expected to take this guideline fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences and values of their patients or the people using their service. It is not mandatory to apply the recommendations, and the guideline does not override the responsibility to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual, in consultation with them and their families and carers or guardian. "
Never agree to dose reduction based on TSH
ALWAYS insist on FULL thyroid and vitamin testing before considering any dose reduction
If you find it hard to speak assertively enough to 'professionals ' (many do)Send an email to your GP with that paragraph re. NICE guidlines that Slowdragon mentioned.
Also tell them in email why you require all tests
Good luck
Thank you immensely Mostew &Slow dragon God bless you bothYes it's most surely difficult to be took seriously by some of our professionals
Thank you very much sincerely
Am I being fobbed off by my GP or worrying about nothing?
Difficulty dropping off to sleep
Taking time off work
Tirosint and cytomel over ndt
Been taken off of T3
