level updates

[Melody79]

I hope that the above is clear. So I have been reduced on my levo, for my body weight and going by the guides, I should be on 100mcg a day but wasn't feeling good on it and levels were low (TSH). After changes, I have noticed that I get little palpations (very infrequent but wanted to mention), bowel movements have been better (sorry) but i'm still not sure if mixing dose is ok, so am on 100mcg 5 days and 75mcg for the others.

I have been given a different brand for the 25mcg tablets to the 50mcg ones I have (not sure if that makes much difference).

I seem to have both hypo and hyper symptoms and not sure whether I ask for dose change again? I do feel 100mcg a day made me feel worse.

Any advice based on my results?

Thank you for reading

[pennyannie]

Hello Melody :

What has / is being done about your very low ferritin level - have you had an iron panel and or an endoscopy / colonoscopy -

At present with a reading under 30 - this needs investigating because as it stands you look to have iron deficiency anemia and which can cause these symptoms of palpitation and hyper / hypo symptoms.

Everywhere I researched suggested that no thyroid hormone replacement works well until ferritin is over 70 - and I can confirm that having had a ferritin down at 22 -

I now know I need to maintain my ferritin at around 100 in order to convert well the T4 into T3 -

and I also aim to maintain my folate at around 20 - active B12 125 ( serum B12 500 ++ ) and vitamin D up at around 125.

Just for reference :-

We generally feel best when the T4 is up in the top quadrant of its range at around 80% - with the T3 tracking just behind at around 70% through its range - at around a 1/ 4 ratio T3/T4 :

Once your core strength vitamins and minerals are up and maintained at optimal levels your ability to convert the T4 into T3 will improve -

and it will be then and only then that we will be able to ascertain your ability to convert T4 into T3 well enough - and consider and possibly suggest that your then next best step may be to add a little T3 to a possible slightly lower dose of T4 - Levothyroxine.

[Melody79 in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you for replying, no i've never had or been asked to have endoscopy/colonoscopy? I take ferrous sulphate 5 times a day now but don't feel this is doing anything. I won't eat liver and I don't eat a lot of red meat.

Take suppliments for B vitamins and vit d with K2. I felt that the T4 and T3 levels were ok but thought the TSH was a little low. UK based so won't get T3 on NHS or private and Dr already said no need for it so hard for me to then get it.

[helvella in reply to Melody79]

There are other options for increasing iron intake:

helvella - Iron Document

This is a summary of what I have read up and found out about iron supplements over the past few years. I am not in any way medically trained. You are strongly encouraged to check every detail before making any decisions for yourself.

Last updated 29/11/2024

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

[Melody79 in reply to helvella]

Thank you, i'll have a read though this. I should have noted that I did get some heme iron from three arrow (as suggested on here before) and took that while awaiting Dr to give me the ferrous sulphate.

[helvella in reply to Melody79]

You can buy your own ferrous sulphate and many other iron "medicines"!

Which individual products require prescription, and which don't feels like a lottery.

[pennyannie in reply to Melody79]

Hey there - well whatever you are taking is having little impact on your ferritin level -

Do you have any stomach issues - maybe there are absorption issues -

Are you dealing with any other health issue and is your hypothyroidism Auto Immune ?

What dose of ferrous sulphate are you taking and why 5 times a day -

this must make life extremely tedious and difficult as it is advised iron should be taken well away from anything else and around 4 hours away from any other supplements and food -

Have you tried taking vitamin C with the ferritin tablets to aid absorption ?

Many of us end of self medicating when T4 and anti depressants do not solve the problem - and in fact - makes everything worse as we feel we are not listened to, side lined, and not taken seriously.

[Melody79 in reply to pennyannie]

Might have some stomach issues - have always struggled with bm.

I don't know if my hypo is auto immune?

I'm taking 200mcg a day and take it in the afternoon with lunch. My levo is taken first thing. So I shouldn't take with food? I do take it with Vitamin C.

[pennyannie in reply to Melody79]

What is bm ?

No for optimal absorption - both your Levothyroxine and iron tablets should be taken on an empty stomach -

both well away from each other - and everything else -

and you should wait around a good hour before eating or drinking anything other than water afterwards.

My ferritin was down at 22 - and I was at around 67 then - so after I got the all clear of the endoscopy and colonoscopy I was prescribed 322 mcg daily Ferrous Fumerate - which totally upset my stomach and blocked my bowel -

I was not offered any alternative - had a read up and purchased an iron bisglycinate supplement which was less harsh and kinder on my stomach and gut, though took a good year building back up to over 70 - and now I aim for 100 and maintain same by eating iron rich foods.

When were you diagnosed hypothyroid and were you given a reason ?

Presumably there was a blood test showing the medical evidence - and possibly detailing over range thyroid antibodies looking like TPO - TgAB readings and ranges ?

[pennyannie in reply to pennyannie]

Just wanted add that once my ferritin tipped over 45 - I was much less shaky and not giddy and able to stand without leaning on the kitchen sick for support - long enough to cook a boiled egg, make some toast and wash up afterwards -

and I just hope the same applies to you once you double your existing ferritin reading.

[McPammy]

I feel dosing by weight isn’t right. It should be by blood test results. If I was medicated by weight I doubt I’d be symptom free as I am now as I’d be over medicated according to weight versus dose. Your ferritin looks a bit low and could do with increasing to about 90 in your results