Feeling terrible yet got good test results. - Thyroid UK

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Feeling terrible yet got good test results.

Shon profile image
Shon
11 Replies

Hi below is my latest test result. after I took it on myself to up my thyroxine meds. after I got this test result back, my doctor called me in to say my sugar levels are high, (never had that before) I have to wait another week before i can have a glucose stressed blood test. to determine if i am diabetic. 5 Days ago I reduced my sugar in take dramatically. eat eat good food regularly throughout the day.

But I feel terrible, so light headed, confused and tiered, not great when I am a barber.

Any idea everyone. this part is all new to me.

Serum free T4 level (XaERr) 19.6 pmol/L (10.0 - 19.8)

Serum TSH level (XaELV) 0.16 mu/L (0.3 - 5.5)below low reference limit

Serum free triiodothyronine level (XaERq) 5.1 pmol/L (3.5 - 6.7) probabley euthyoid results.

thanks for your help folks.

Sean

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Shon profile image
Shon
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shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

Shon

Sometimes people do not feel better on levothyroxine. Maybe your GP would consider some T3 to a reduced T4, as suggested by Dr Toft, ex president of the British Thyroid Association. If you email louise.warvill@thyroiduk.org and ask for a copy of the questions/answers to give to your GP. Q. 6 would apply to you, I believe.

This is an excerpt by Dr Lowe of Thyroidscience.

n 2002,[27] researchers evaluated the health status of

hypothyroid patients using T4 replacement therapy.

Compared to matched control patients, hypothyroid

patients on “adequate” dosages of T4 had a higher reported

incidence of four diseases: depression, hypertension,

diabetes, and heart disease. Hypothyroid pa

tients on inadequate T4 replacement (their TSH levels

were elevated) also had a higher incidence of strokes.

In addition, hypothyroid patients chronically used

more prescription drugs, especially for diabetes, cardiovascular

disease, and gastrointestinal conditions.

Patients on T4 replacement had scores 21% higher

(worse) than controls on the General Health Questionnaire.

The researchers wrote, “This community based

study is the first evidence to indicate that

patients on thyroxine replacement even with a normal

TSH display significant impairment in psychological

well-being compared to controls of similar age and

sex.”[27,p.577]

greygoose profile image
greygoose

Yeah, Shon, I wouldn't call that FT3 good. It's too low, should be at the top of the range. It doesn't matter how low your TSH is or how high your FT4 is, if you haven't got enough T3 you are going to feel bad.

I agree with Shaws, you need some T3 added to your levo.

Hugs, Grey

Clarebear profile image
Clarebear

I agree totally with shaws. I felt dreadful with similar test results to you and was in despair. The addition of some T3 (for me in the form of NDT) has made all of the difference. I just don't feel well on thyroxine or when my FT4 is this high. I need my FT3 to be good but my FT4 to be mid-range.

Also it would be worth checking your iron, ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folate.

I'm afraid I don't know much about diabetes.

Clare xx

Clarebear profile image
Clarebear

And agree with GG - sorry didn't see your reply before I posted mine :)

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Clarebear

No problem! lol I only said much the same as Shaws, anyway. ;)

Shon profile image
Shon

I mention adding T3 to my meds to my doctors loads. but he will not do it. he says there is no proof it works, and also says there has been fatalities using it. so he s too afraid to give it to me (It seems)

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Shon

Well, you know what, if you do a bit of searching - on this site and elsewhere on internet - you will find lots of proof that it works. So you print them out and give them to your doctor and then ask him for written 'proof' that there have been fatalities. That'll learn him to make up stories!!!

I think, actually, what he's saying is that he has no idea how to handle T3. He thinks it's some kind of voodoo medecin and you have to be a witch doctor to use it! In other words, he knows nothing about thyroid. Can you ask for a referal to an endo?

Hugs, Grey

Shon profile image
Shon in reply to greygoose

Mentioned it to my endo last year at Nottingham university hospital, he also shook his head.

I mean it has been stupid. I was told last year my blood count was fine, but i felt rubbish so I upped my meds, went back to the hospital and he congratulated me. now a year later when I am still not strong, I upped it again to the result above. why am i having to treat myself.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Shon

Shon, dont just mention it as if you're talking about the weather, tell him you want it! And you intend to get it, one way or another.

Why are you having to treat yourself? A lot of us do, because the average GP just isn't capable of treating us. And endos aren't much better. They just aren't interested in thyroid, they prefer diabetes. As one endo said 'thyroid just isn't sexy'! So there you have it. And that's the way it's going to stay unless a lot of us stand up and say no! No, I'm not accepting this. There is a way to get me well, so why won't you prescribe it for me?

They tell you your bloods are fine because they only look at the TSH. They haven't a clue what the other results are about. We have to educate them. But first we have to educate ourselves. Read as much as you can and know what you're talking about next time you see a doctor. Then you won't let them pull the wool over your eyes about bloods being 'fine' (is that a scientific diagnosis?). If you have any questions there will always be someone here to answer them for you. But remember, be assertive!

Hugs, Grey

Shon profile image
Shon in reply to greygoose

Thanks Grey

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Shon

You're welcome. :)

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