Hashimotos

[healthisimportant50]

I have been diagnosed with Hashimotos quite recently, although I've been taking levothyroxine for over a year. I have been feeling exhausted, and have taken a lot of time off work this year as a result.

These were my recent blood test results. My half sister also has Hashimotos, and she feels the doctor is wrong with what advice he has given me, and she suggested I ask here for your opinion.

They did not do the T4! but in May it was 15 - Range is 9 to 19

Serum TSH level is 0.01 Range is 0.35 to 4.94

Vitamin D is 107 - Range is 50 to 200

Monocyte count came back abnormal - no idea if this is connected to thyroid or not. 0.9 range is 0.2 to 0.8

Eosinophil abnormal - 0.9 Range is 0 to 0.4

I had upped my dose of levothyroxine myself to 150mg, advised by my sister. I am still exhausted and have been taking that amount for over a month and I'm still exhausted. He said to reduce to 100mg, which my sister says is not correct, it'll lead to me being even more tired.

I bought T3 when in Turkey, my sister advised that I take a tablet each day, but he said, absolutely not, so now I am not sure what to do. I have been back and forwards for years having blood tests for exhaustion, and things are getting worse, I'm also going through the menopause and suffer from depression, taking 150mg of Sertaline and a HRT spray too.

I would love any opinions on whether you think the doctor is right or my sister? Thanks so much.

[Dollymae06]

I've been feeling the same I was on 75mcg Levothyroxine and am on 50mg Sertraline with Hrt too . I upped my Levothyroxine myself to 100 because I was feeling awful I started to feel better. I informed Gp and was told that I shouldn't alter my medication my self I told him well I couldn't wait for appointment with a Gp as I felt so ill. I do a lot of research and found that Estrogen depletes Levothyroxine and I'm on 2mg estrogen. I had blood test and Gp told me to take 100mcg every other day and 75mcg on other days. He said taking too much Levothyroxine is very dangerous and will cause overactive Thyroid. I told him my estrogen had been increased and it affects Levothyroxine he didn't seem to know this. I'm very confused to what causes me to feel ill with sweats and fatigue and irritability. I hope you get sorted and feel better soon.x

[healthisimportant50 in reply to Dollymae06]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply, I hope you also start to feel better. x

[SHANKY2022]

Hi, I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism approx 15years ago - having regular blood tests at my GP practice as my Thyroid hasn't completely packed up - my range of Thyroxine fluctuated between 75mcg to 200mcg - after recently having heart issues and taking myself off to A&E I was told that my recent blood test showed I was on too much Thyroxine and had to reduce it immediately (150mcg to 75mcg!!) various appointments with Cardiologists, heart scans, monitor etc showed that my heart issues had been caused by too much medication - I insisted my GP refer me to an Endocrinologist (the first expert I had seen in 15yrs for my Thyroid problem as I trusted my GP - foolishly!) the Endocrinologist advised me that in fact I had been 'overdosed' for 10 years and that I was lucky that I hadn't had a stroke or a heart attack.

My advise to you is to INSIST on seeing an expert - PLEASE DO NOT change your medication without expert guidance as the bigger picture can be devastating!

I am now 5 months on the correct amount of medication (75mcg) and all heart issues are resolved...I count myself very lucky to be able to 'tell the tale'!

Take care x -

[healthisimportant50 in reply to SHANKY2022]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I am following his guidance and only taking 100mg, guess I will just have to see what happens. I tried with another GP to ask to see an encrologist, but she refused, saying this has been diagnosed and dealt with at GP level. I will see how I feel when I get the next bloods done in 7 weeks time, and then try insisting again! x

[SHANKY2022 in reply to healthisimportant50]

Good morning, sorry to hear your GP will not refer you. As your symptoms haven't been alleviated by your current meds I would say you 'general' practitioner is not dealing with your case appropriately. Agree, see what your next bloods come back as (always get the results) and don't rely on the receptionist saying everything is fine as I did for many years

I wish you the VERY best of luck and keep in touch to let me know how you're getting on x

[healthisimportant50]

He is aware, but all that seems to happen is I get blood results back every 6 to 8 weeks, and he seems to think all is fine, even though I'm telling him that it is not fine.