RedAppleAdministrator in reply to PinkNinja12 years ago

I was about to say the same things... you beat me to it Carolyn

PinkNinja in reply to Hidden12 years ago

If you can get the right thyroid treatment, you don't have to live with this. I am living proof of this. My mental health keyworker discharged me last week after I got my thyroid more-or-less sorted out and found I didn't need him, or my psychiatric meds, any more. You can read my case study on the main thyroid uk website if you like thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/get_in...

For some people it is getting the right dose of thyroxine that gets rid of all their symptoms including mood disorders. For others it might be a different medication that is required such as NDT or T3 (liothyronine).

It is also worth checking your iron, ferritin (needs to be 70-90 minimum), vitamin B12 (should be above 500), folate and vitamin D. Any of these can have similar symptoms and could also explain why thyroxine may appear to not be working.

If you have high cortisol levels, you may not be converting thyroxine very well and may need to have T3 for a while. This may have the result of sorting out your cortisol as well. If you are not converting thyroxine well you can still have symptoms even though your blood tests look good.

I hope that helps a little.

Carolyn x

PinkNinja in reply to Hidden12 years ago

Do you have a copy of your thyroid blood test results? Next time you see your doctor please ask for them along with the reference ranges. Your TSH should be towards the bottom of the range and preferably below 1. Your T4 should be near the top of the range.

If your endo disagrees with the above, get a hold of "Understanding Thyroid Disorders" by Dr Anthony Toft. He is a former chair of the British Thyroid Association, of which your endo is probably a member, and the book is published in association with the BMA. Dr Toft states the above. You can get the book from a lot of chemists or amazon. Using this book, you may be able to convince your endo to increase your dose. If not, it might be time for another endo!

I hope this helps you.

Just as a pointer, if you are replying to someone on here click on the "Reply to this" in blue underneath their comment. That way they get a notification email telling them so they can get back to you

Take care

Carolyn x

Hidden in reply to PinkNinja12 years ago

Doh! Homer Simpson moment! Didn't even see the 'blue' option. All the Dr said of my results - T4 free low, TSH 5.2, Cortisol 1033. I'm seeing GP 15th March. Not seeing Consultant for 3 months.

(0)Report

PinkNinja in reply to Hidden12 years ago

That's ok

Are these results from before or after you started the levothyroxine? If these were taken while you are already taking thyroxine, then you need an increase.

How long have you been taking levothyroxine? Is this your starting dose? The starting dose should be increased after 3-4 weeks if you are still having symptoms and then a blood test should be done a few weeks after that to see if you need another increase.

Also, 25mcg is the starting dose for children or the elderly or those with heart conditions. The usual starting dose for adults is 50mcg. You are likely on too low a dose.

I hope that helps. If you have any more questions please do ask

Carolyn x

(0)Report

Hidden in reply to PinkNinja12 years ago

The results are from before starting on Levothyroxine. I've been taking them for 4 weeks. I'm doing 24hr urine test Sunday, taking 2 tablets at midnight, then going to have blood tests 9am Monday. Seeing consultant in June. He's more concerned by my cortisol level being double the top end of my range at 1033. Thanks for listening.

Charlotte x

(0)Report