Latest MMH Thyroid Results. Opinions Please

[Sparklingsunshine]

Hi

Latest results, I'm still taking 150mcg Levo and two times 6.25mcg T3 daily.

9.12.2024

TSH 0.01 (0.27-4.2)

FT4 18.6 (12-22)

FT3 5.8 (3.1-6.8)

I'm surprised as I 've stopped exercising apart from walking and assumed my results would reflect that. In February, TSH was 0.01, FT4 was 17.1 and FT3 was 6. I was going to the gym 4-5 times a week at that point. Think I felt better on those numbers.

Any suggestions appreciated.

[tattybogle]

Hi Sparklings.....

honestly, i think the differences between those results is so small it's not likely to be significant, , i think you'd expect to see at least that sort of difference in fT4 / or fT3 levels if you tested just 45 minutes earlier or later on any day . I'd say it's unlikely that these small differences in T4/T3 levels explain why you feel less good now.

why did you stop exercising ?

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to tattybogle]

I've got extensive arthritis in my right foot due to Ehlers Danlos and having flat feet, and was advised to stop vigorous exercise. I'm awaiting a steroid jab and 4-6 weeks of immobilisation in a walking boot. Do you think I should stick with my current dose or tweak anything?

[Tina_Maria]

I always find it amazing what impact exercise can have and how it can influence our wellbeing.

Exercise, especially high intensity one, can temporarily increase the need for T3. So your body will try to increase the amount of T3 to cover the need. If you have stopped exercising, then this T3 production (perhaps from your T4 store?) would have stopped, so you have a bit less T3 than you were used to and the T4 could have gone slightly higher. In addition, exercise produces endorphins, which makes you feel good, which is another reason why you may have felt much better.

Will you be able to do any exercises at all? I do not feel well on strenuous exercise but I do quite a bit of yoga, walking and ~2 sessions on an exercise bike (but certainly not thrashing myself). Could you do some gentle exercising or strength training just to keep you ticking over? But I guess with an immobilised foot that could be a bit tricky ...

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Tina_Maria]

Exercise is a bit tricky, I have EDS so have been advised by Physios to avoid yoga as I could overstretch my muscles and tendons or dislocate. I'm still walking a lot but what with the chronic dizziness, tendonitis in right shoulder and the foot issue I've become an Olympian at sitting on the sofa feeling sorry for myself lol.

I'm hoping to return to exercise once some of my health issues have resolved. Its been a triple whammy of absolute poo healthwise this year.

[Tina_Maria in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

I hope you can get on top of your problems so you can return to being more active again. I need at least a little daily walk to feel half way human, so can emphasise if you want to do something but can't! 😢

Could you perhaps do some small weights when you are sitting on the sofa? I have got some 2kg small weights that I sometimes jiggle about when watching television.... might not be much, but as they say every little helps 🤷‍♀️

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Tina_Maria]

Would you recommend staying on same dose? Yes I think loss of exercise has very definitely impacted on my health, especially MH. I found going to the gym always made me happy and helped with mood etc.

[Tina_Maria in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Difficult to say with the dosing, as the difference to the results with vigorous exercise are quite small and subtle. And the changes could have been due to other influences as well or just down to normal fluctuations.

You could stay on this dose for a while longer and then test again to see if it is a true reflection. I would be inclined to stay on the dose and check it again in a couple of months. Another option would be, if you think you can fine-tune, you could try a smidgen less levo and a tiny tiny bit more T3? But I guess this would be quite tricky and difficult to adjust ... 😮

How is your Vitamin D status? I sometimes forget my Vitamin D intake (we are human after all 😆) and that makes quite a difference for me, especially if I have not been taking them for a few days.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Tina_Maria]

Its pretty good. I take 5,000iu daily with K2, my last Vit D test was 80. I'm diligent about vitamins, having had multiple deficiencies in the past.

[Tina_Maria in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

No worries, I think many are a bit down in the dumps at the moment, it's cold, damp, miserable and dark at about 3:30pm! Not that cheerful...

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Tina_Maria]

No I must admit Xmas isnt my favourite time of year. Too much pressure to appear cheerful and carefree lol. Its been a rough year, health wise.