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Doctor says thyroid is working fine
Hi I was originally put on levothyroxine when my TSH was 22 (0.2-4.2) and my Free T4 was 10.9 (10-22).
My doctor is now indicating I no longer need to take levothyroxine as my current blood test results show I have a perfectly functioning thyroid and that being at 29 years old I am too young to have hormonal problems.
August 2014
TSH: 0.02 (0.2-4.2)
Free T3: 6 (3.9-6.8)
Free T4: 20.3 (12-22)
September 2014
TSH: 0.3 (0.2-4.2)
Free T3: 4 (3.9-6.8)
Free T4: 15 (12-22)
Is my doctor right to want to stop my exemption?
Thank you
My doctor is now indicating I no longer need to take levothyroxine as my current blood test results show I have a perfectly functioning thyroid and that being at 29 years old I am too young to have hormonal problems.
August 2014
TSH: 0.02 (0.2-4.2)
Free T3: 6 (3.9-6.8)
Free T4: 20.3 (12-22)
September 2014
TSH: 0.3 (0.2-4.2)
Free T3: 4 (3.9-6.8)
Free T4: 15 (12-22)
Is my doctor right to want to stop my exemption?
Thank you
I saw my treatment nurse today. This is what came out of the appointment with her.
- I will need to speak to my new doctor about my repeat prescription for thyroxine. I am not sure if that means they will be retesting my thyroid function or not as my recent blood work was not done that long ago.
- She weighed me and my BMI is shown to be underweight with a BMI of 17.9 despite me being thorough in my research and in the changes I have made to my diet. The weight just doesn't stick.
- So I am hoping to be referred to a dietician at one of my local hospitals. The reasons for this are that:
* I believe I have digestive problems
* I have been diagnosed with a medical condition (Hashimoto's and iron deficiency)
* I have oral nutrition requirements (iron tablets)
* I need to put on weight
* I think I have allergies/intolerances to certain foods
* I would like advice on my diet.
I hope those are valid reasons.
- I will need to speak to my new doctor about my repeat prescription for thyroxine. I am not sure if that means they will be retesting my thyroid function or not as my recent blood work was not done that long ago.
- She weighed me and my BMI is shown to be underweight with a BMI of 17.9 despite me being thorough in my research and in the changes I have made to my diet. The weight just doesn't stick.
- So I am hoping to be referred to a dietician at one of my local hospitals. The reasons for this are that:
* I believe I have digestive problems
* I have been diagnosed with a medical condition (Hashimoto's and iron deficiency)
* I have oral nutrition requirements (iron tablets)
* I need to put on weight
* I think I have allergies/intolerances to certain foods
* I would like advice on my diet.
I hope those are valid reasons.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Your wife needs to be started on replacement thyroid hormones immediately. Has her doctor prescribed them yet?
Im in tension because my wife is 4month pregnant and her TSH is 23.Doctor says it could be problem to my baby.Baby could be disable in any sector.What is the best solution can anybody tel me ?
Going private isn't much of an option for me at present as I do not work and have no income.
So I think my best bet is to move doctor sugeries, register with another one and at the first appointment tell them what I want. It's always the first appointment I have that goes well, the subsequent appointments I have do not end the way I want them to despite me still feeling unwell.
I will change doctors tomorrow - for good.
So I think my best bet is to move doctor sugeries, register with another one and at the first appointment tell them what I want. It's always the first appointment I have that goes well, the subsequent appointments I have do not end the way I want them to despite me still feeling unwell.
I will change doctors tomorrow - for good.
Other nutrients tested are ferritin: 15 (30-400) and Vitamin D.
The doctor told me my Vitamin D is low but he hasn't given me the number for this and it's not on the receptionist's system. The receptionist suggested I come back when the Vitamin D will be on the system. I think she says it takes a day or two.
Folate and Vitamin B12 were not done during the thyroid, ferritin and Vitamin D but I presume this is because they were done back in July. I think the doctor said typically folate, ferritin, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 do not get checked unless they are 3 months apart. Which seems daft if they managed to do the Vitamin D and ferritin and not the folate and B12!
Folate result in August: 4.9 (4.1-18.7)
Vitamin B12 result in August: 362 (180-900)
Despite the doctor saying the Vitamin B12 result is "normal" I have been taking a B12 supplement with the methyl-cobalamin not the cyano-cobalamin. It is 1000mcg.
The folate I have been trying to replenish in food form, so sunflower seeds, nuts, dried fruits and salads.
Maybe looking for a new doctor is the best idea.
The doctor told me my Vitamin D is low but he hasn't given me the number for this and it's not on the receptionist's system. The receptionist suggested I come back when the Vitamin D will be on the system. I think she says it takes a day or two.
Folate and Vitamin B12 were not done during the thyroid, ferritin and Vitamin D but I presume this is because they were done back in July. I think the doctor said typically folate, ferritin, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 do not get checked unless they are 3 months apart. Which seems daft if they managed to do the Vitamin D and ferritin and not the folate and B12!
Folate result in August: 4.9 (4.1-18.7)
Vitamin B12 result in August: 362 (180-900)
Despite the doctor saying the Vitamin B12 result is "normal" I have been taking a B12 supplement with the methyl-cobalamin not the cyano-cobalamin. It is 1000mcg.
The folate I have been trying to replenish in food form, so sunflower seeds, nuts, dried fruits and salads.
Maybe looking for a new doctor is the best idea.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Has your doctor tested you for other nutrients? Is that why he can say you have nutritional deficiencies? Even at that, I don't see how he can ignore your low levels of thyroid hormones or even begin to blame those on nutritional deficiencies. If you're not doing well on 125 mcg, whatever makes him think you're going to do okay on 50 mcg... that's cutting the dose more than half.
"If I have any problems he'd like me too come back." I'm sure you will have to go back, because this doctor is going to keep you ill for a long time. It's definitely time to start looking for a new one, if that's possible. We do know that patients in U.K have trouble getting good thyroid care, but there are doctors who will treat adequately.
Like gimel, my TSH has been at < 0.01 - 0.01 for the past 6 yrs and neither have I ever had hyper symptoms. It's quite common for TSH to be suppressed when on thyroid replacement hormones.
By the way - don't throw away any left over 125 mcg pill you may have left.
"If I have any problems he'd like me too come back." I'm sure you will have to go back, because this doctor is going to keep you ill for a long time. It's definitely time to start looking for a new one, if that's possible. We do know that patients in U.K have trouble getting good thyroid care, but there are doctors who will treat adequately.
Like gimel, my TSH has been at < 0.01 - 0.01 for the past 6 yrs and neither have I ever had hyper symptoms. It's quite common for TSH to be suppressed when on thyroid replacement hormones.
By the way - don't throw away any left over 125 mcg pill you may have left.
How can your doctor ignore all those symptoms and your low levels of thyroid hormone, especially the Free T3, and decide to reduce your meds. In reality he should be increasing your meds and maybe even adding in a source of T3 unless supplementing with iron improves your conversion of T4 med to T3. Free T3 is very important because scientific studies have shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate at all.
Clearly your doctor has the "Immaculate TSH Belief' and thinks that your suppressed TSH level is more important than anything else. The doctor doesn't know that TSH frequently becomes suppressed when taking thyroid med. Suppression doesn't mean that you are automatically hyperthyroid. You are hyper only if having hyper symptoms due to excessive levels of Free T3 and Free T4, which you do not have. This is a link to a scientific study showing that TSH is frequently suppressed when taking adequate doses of thyroid med.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1366242
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo pateint clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. For info while taking thyroid meds for my hypothyroidism I have had a TSH about .05 for over 25 years without ever having any hyper symptoms.
Since you are in the UK, I know how difficult it is for you. This is the words from a fellow UK member who was finally successful in getting treated for her hypothyroidism.
"What I have learned from my experience is that you have to go to the Dr's office and TELL THEM WHAT YOU WANT and to go backed up with knowledge. You have to tell them that you have done your reading and looked into your condition and care about the long-term treatment of your health and thyroid. If you fight for what you want, you will eventually find someone that is happy to go along with your wishes. But we all have to take charge of our own health, right?"
If that doesn't work for you then the best option is going private.
Clearly your doctor has the "Immaculate TSH Belief' and thinks that your suppressed TSH level is more important than anything else. The doctor doesn't know that TSH frequently becomes suppressed when taking thyroid med. Suppression doesn't mean that you are automatically hyperthyroid. You are hyper only if having hyper symptoms due to excessive levels of Free T3 and Free T4, which you do not have. This is a link to a scientific study showing that TSH is frequently suppressed when taking adequate doses of thyroid med.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1366242
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo pateint clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. For info while taking thyroid meds for my hypothyroidism I have had a TSH about .05 for over 25 years without ever having any hyper symptoms.
Since you are in the UK, I know how difficult it is for you. This is the words from a fellow UK member who was finally successful in getting treated for her hypothyroidism.
"What I have learned from my experience is that you have to go to the Dr's office and TELL THEM WHAT YOU WANT and to go backed up with knowledge. You have to tell them that you have done your reading and looked into your condition and care about the long-term treatment of your health and thyroid. If you fight for what you want, you will eventually find someone that is happy to go along with your wishes. But we all have to take charge of our own health, right?"
If that doesn't work for you then the best option is going private.
I saw my doctor today, he has agreed to keep me on the thyroxine but on a reduced dose of 50mcg due to the low TSH. If I have any problems he'd like me too come back. I have also been given iron tablets, ferrous fumarate 210mg, for low ferritin.
The doctor says I have numerous nutritional deficiencies, how can that be so when only my ferritin and vitamin D are low? Does he know something I don't?
Ferritin: 15 (30-400)
Vitamin D: low, no number given as printout is unavailable.
The doctor says I have numerous nutritional deficiencies, how can that be so when only my ferritin and vitamin D are low? Does he know something I don't?
Ferritin: 15 (30-400)
Vitamin D: low, no number given as printout is unavailable.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Your symptoms are all those of hypothyroidism, except the weight loss and sweating and we've even seen a few with hypo who have those symptoms. I've had sweating with hypo, but I think it might have been caused by something else.
Have you been on the same dosage the whole time?
Elevated TPOab would be the basis for diagnosis of Hashimoto's.
Have you been on the same dosage the whole time?
Elevated TPOab would be the basis for diagnosis of Hashimoto's.
I have an appointment with the doctor this afternoon so I am hoping to bring all my printouts with me.
I have been on the medication since June this year.
Dosage is 125mcg.
Symptoms I have:
- Heavy periods
- Dry skin
- Puffy eyes
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dry eyes
- Pale skin
- Painful periods
- Constipation
- Acid reflux
- Joint pain
- Pins and needles in hands and feet
- Depression
- Weight loss
- Sweating
I have been on the medication since June this year.
Dosage is 125mcg.
Symptoms I have:
- Heavy periods
- Dry skin
- Puffy eyes
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dry eyes
- Pale skin
- Painful periods
- Constipation
- Acid reflux
- Joint pain
- Pins and needles in hands and feet
- Depression
- Weight loss
- Sweating
To answer your original question, no your thyroid isn't working fine. It's being attacked my your immune system! If you were to stop medication it would be temporary due to being hyperthyroid for whatever reason from taking too much medication to hashitoxicosis.
Your symptoms you list however are hypothyroid symptoms. Personally I didn't sweat with hypothyroidism but I've read excessive sweating can be a symptom of hypothyroidism too.
Your symptoms you list however are hypothyroid symptoms. Personally I didn't sweat with hypothyroidism but I've read excessive sweating can be a symptom of hypothyroidism too.
COMMUNITY LEADER
No, your doctor is not right. There's no such thing as being too young to have hormonal problems!!
Your doctor should realize that the medication is what's keeping your levels withing the ranges; in fact, looking at your Free T3 and Free T4, it appears that you could probably use an increase in medication, because your levels are very low in the ranges,
Most of us find that in order to feel well, we have to have FT4 adjusted to approximately mid range. Your FT4 is only at 30% of its range. We also find that FT3 has to be in in the upper half to upper third of its range. Your FT3 is only 3% of its range, so you have a long way to go.
How long have you been on the medication? What's your dosage and what, if any, symptoms do you have?
Your doctor should realize that the medication is what's keeping your levels withing the ranges; in fact, looking at your Free T3 and Free T4, it appears that you could probably use an increase in medication, because your levels are very low in the ranges,
Most of us find that in order to feel well, we have to have FT4 adjusted to approximately mid range. Your FT4 is only at 30% of its range. We also find that FT3 has to be in in the upper half to upper third of its range. Your FT3 is only 3% of its range, so you have a long way to go.
How long have you been on the medication? What's your dosage and what, if any, symptoms do you have?
Thanks for reply, I don't feel well at all. I have been tired, my eyes are puffy, I have dry skin, been constipated, have had heavy periods, joint pain, carpal tunnel and pins and needles in my feet. I have been sweating a lot too and the doctor is now worried that if I continue on thyroxine I will become hyerpthyroid.
I haven't been told by a doctor it's Hashimoto's Thyroiditis but my Anti-TPO antibodies are 144 (>34)
I haven't been told by a doctor it's Hashimoto's Thyroiditis but my Anti-TPO antibodies are 144 (>34)
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I agree that you should be supplementing Vitamin B-12 - anything under 500 can cause symptoms. I have Pernicious Anemia and I have to keep my levels at the very top of the range in order to keep symptoms at bay. I self inject on a weekly basis. The range my lab uses is 200-1100. Even having injected just a couple days prior to my blood work, my level was only 812 and I could feel it. If taking oral vitamin B-12, it's best to take sublingual or liquid types as they are absorbed before they get to stomach.
Yes, I do think you need to find a different doctor. This one can feed you all the supplementary vitamins/minerals in the world and that's not going to make your thyroid start working or increase your thyroid hormone levels. While increasing your vitamin levels will alleviate or make better the symptoms that those deficiencies cause, it's not going to alleviate hypothyroid symptoms. The only thing that can do that is adequate levels of thyroid hormones.
TSH is a pituitary hormone. It's only job is to stimulate the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones; it does nothing else. It neither causes nor alleviates symptoms. It's a testing tool, at best and in most of us, it becomes irrelevant, once we get on thyroid hormones.
We know from our own experience and from dealing with other patients that doctors who rely on TSH for dosing medication keep their patients ill ... many of them end up diagnosing fibromyalgia, depression and all kinds of things, prescribing different pain meds, anti-depressants, etc when all the patient really needs is an adequate dose of thyroid hormones.