Thyroid results 4 months after stopping pill

[Missd66]

Diagnosed with Hashimoto's years ago.

(Also pernicious anaemia, fybromyalgia, pre-diabetic and many other wonky bits).

Normal dose is Levo 25mcg x1 and Lio 20mcg (split 2 x 10mcg daily).

I can't find my previous test results but from memory, they've generally been mid range/good.

My latest test results are Serum TSH 0.33 range 0.27- 4.2mlU/L

! Serum Free T4 5.7 12.0-22.0pmol/L

(Plus 1st time test for Hormone profile - normal FSH within peri/menopausal range).

My pill was stopped without consultation by the GP, probably due to my age, (even though I had told the nurse my concerns of it affecting thyroid meds).

I've always had the typical thermostat/temperature control fails. When I'm hot, I'm melting, when I'm cold, I'm freezing. Now I have hot flushes to add to the mix...great!

Is stopping my progesterone only pill likely to have caused these thyroid results or is it a Hashimoto's/hyper swing?

Does that even make sense?! (I used to be able to work these things out but my brain has turned to mush).

GP note said re-test in 6 months, but I'd rather not wait that long, having struggled already for the last 4 months, hoping it would settle a bit. I'd prefer to have some idea what's going on to prepare myself before making an appointment to discuss options... any enlightening/informed advice please? xx

[greygoose]

I can't tell you anything about the effects of stopping the pill, because I've never taken it. But I can tell you that you are not having a 'hyper' swing. If you were, your FT4 would be very high, not very low, as the name suggests.

Your FT4 is more than likely low because you're only on a tiny dose of levo, and taking T3 reduces the FT4, anyway. Whether or not this is a problem, only you can tell. Some people need their FT4 quite high, even when taking T3. Others don't need any at all. It's a very individual thing.

[Missd66 in reply to greygoose]

Hi GreygooseThat was my initial thought...need more levo but when I googled the 2 results together, I came up with 3 articles all saying hyper, not hypo and doubted myself 🫣.

Thank you

[greygoose in reply to Missd66]

How could you possibly be hyper with an FT4 below range?!? It just beggars belief that anyone can write such rubbish. And your TSH is low, but not hyper low. It's low because you're taking T3. Obviously you know more about thyroid than whoever wrote that rubbish! lol

[Missd66 in reply to greygoose]

I wish I knew half as much as I used to, lol!My brain is like a waterlogged sponge. Every time I add something new, something old drips out 🤪🫣

[greygoose in reply to Missd66]

Keep notes. I do.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Normal dose is Levo 25mcg x1 and Lio 20mcg (split 2 x 10mcg daily).

I can't find my previous test results but from memory, they've generally been mid range/good.

My latest test results are Serum TSH 0.33 range 0.27- 4.2mlU/L

! Serum Free T4 5.7 12.0-22.0pmol/L

Retest 6 weeks after stopping pill

Many people on levothyroxine plus small doses of T3 need BOTH Ft4 and Ft3 at least 50-60% through range

Currently your Ft4 is significantly below range, hardly surprising on such tiny dose of levothyroxine

ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once a year

Exactly what vitamin supplements are you taking

ALWAYS test 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)

T3 ….day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test

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

thyroiduk.org/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...

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

In days before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 if last test result serum B12 was below 500 or active B12 (private test) under 70

[Missd66 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon.

Thanks for the comprehensive reply.

I was not tested for thyroid at all in relation to stopping my pill at the end of last year, just informed by admin i needed a blood test after a pill check with nurse to renew my prescription was not authorised by GP. (Only confirmed as hormone when I went for test).

My thyroid test just happened to be due April 🙄

GP doesn't routinely test for D, folate and ferritin, and I have PA and self inject, so that doesn't get tested. When I could afford to, I used to have private tests done and my vits were all good, so without any significant changes to my diet, hopefully still ok.

If I could afford to have everything tested, I would but unless I win the lottery, not an option 😢

I supplement D3 with k2, methyl folate, iron, vegetarian omegas, as best as I can afford. No b complex.

I follow the patient tips on testing to get consistent results.

Thanks again

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Missd66]

How do you feel with such low Ft4

Discuss getting an increase in Levo with GP

[Missd66 in reply to SlowDragon]

It's hard to know what is thyroid related and what is PA as many symptoms are similar and overlap, but I definitely noticed a decline since stopping the pill, which I've assumed is the reason for the drop. Low, (well lower!) energy/mood, extremes of hot and cold, (not just menopausal flushes). So tired but restless/unable to sleep etc. Terrible skin, worsening hair loss and aches/pains. I will make an appointment for a face to face with GP. (That'll be a trial in itself🙄). They just don't seem to join the dots ....

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Missd66]

Normal dose is Levo 25mcg x1 and Lio 20mcg (split 2 x 10mcg daily).

I can't find my previous test results but from memory, they've generally been mid range/good.

My latest test results are Serum TSH 0.33 range 0.27- 4.2mlU/L

! Serum Free T4 5.7 12.0-22.0pmol/L

So are you saying GP stopped your Levo ?

If yes

How long after stopping was test done

Is your T3 prescribed by GP or endo or self sourced

How much levothyroxine were you taking before stopping

What were TSH, Ft4 and FT3 results BEFORE these changes

[Missd66 in reply to SlowDragon]

No. GP stopped my progesterone pill 4 months ago, now my thyroid results are off and I feel like rubbish....I've been managing on the same dose of levo/lio for years until now.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Missd66]

As in “contraceptive pill”

That’s what I assumed initially

Then wondered if you actually meant your Levo

Well your results suggest you need increase in Levo now

[Missd66 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes, sorry. I'm a bit tired and what I think makes sense is probably not so obvious to anyone else reading it.

I'll be making an appointment to discuss an increase

Thank you