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Some advice regarding Levothyroxine.
Hi, I was wondering if any of you could give me advice, these were my TSH blood results, my GP prescribed me levothyroxine because I was displaying all of the typical signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism which also runs in my family. I was constantly cold, heavy periods, severe constipation (I couldn't go to the bathroom for 48 hours sometimes), dry skin and depression.
Since novemeber my dose has gone from 50mcg-150mcg. My hair has stopped falling out and my periods have returned to normal, however my body temperature is still low. My resting HR is around 75bpm.
I am worried that I am taking too much Levothyroxine, I will post up the results of my most recent blood test tomorrow when I get them.
labs
TSH 1.7
T3 1.57
T4 98
Many thanks.
Since novemeber my dose has gone from 50mcg-150mcg. My hair has stopped falling out and my periods have returned to normal, however my body temperature is still low. My resting HR is around 75bpm.
I am worried that I am taking too much Levothyroxine, I will post up the results of my most recent blood test tomorrow when I get them.
labs
TSH 1.7
T3 1.57
T4 98
Many thanks.
COMMUNITY LEADER
You said in a previous post that you live in East Africa and tests for Free T3 and Free T4 are not available. Can you please confirm whether the latest tests (May 3) you posted were for FREE T3 and FREE T4? That makes a difference.
I live in Florida and spend a lot of time outside (up to several hours/day), so one one would think that I'd have adequate vitamin D, as well, but I tested low. Please keep in mind that not everyone produces an adequate amount of vitamin D from daily sun exposure AND no matter how much time you spend in the sun, you will only produce vitamin D by letting the sun hit bare skin.... Even light clothing, such as a thin, long sleeved shirt or light weight pants, will prevent you from getting the full benefit of the sun exposure.
I live in Florida and spend a lot of time outside (up to several hours/day), so one one would think that I'd have adequate vitamin D, as well, but I tested low. Please keep in mind that not everyone produces an adequate amount of vitamin D from daily sun exposure AND no matter how much time you spend in the sun, you will only produce vitamin D by letting the sun hit bare skin.... Even light clothing, such as a thin, long sleeved shirt or light weight pants, will prevent you from getting the full benefit of the sun exposure.
My body temperature tends to drop when I'm sitting and my resting heart rate is pretty high even though I walk a few miles a day and am relatively in shape.
I never really figured out why. My brother suspects some type of autonomic dysregulation disorder runs in the family but if that's the case then it's nothing severe enough as to need treatment.
I just have a little rule. I don't turn the heater on unless it drops below 75F. Before I went on the synthroid though, I kept it around 80F in here. I was convinced the themostat was broken or the heat dissipated quickly but now I know it was MY thermostat that was broken and I feel very bad for my cat and roommate for having to endure my sauna.
I never really figured out why. My brother suspects some type of autonomic dysregulation disorder runs in the family but if that's the case then it's nothing severe enough as to need treatment.
I just have a little rule. I don't turn the heater on unless it drops below 75F. Before I went on the synthroid though, I kept it around 80F in here. I was convinced the themostat was broken or the heat dissipated quickly but now I know it was MY thermostat that was broken and I feel very bad for my cat and roommate for having to endure my sauna.
Thankyou so much for taking the time toq help me. My iron levels are fine and I live in tanzania so I get my daily dose of vitamin D from my daily sun exposure. I am taking a well woman multi vitamin with cold liver and star fish oil daily.
I am also on a wheat and red meat free diet.
I am also on a wheat and red meat free diet.
From those test results, I'd say that your Free T4 is adequate. Your Free T3 is a bit on the low side. I say this because the reference ranges for both Free T3 and Free T4 are too broad. Many of our members, myself included, report that symptom relief required that Free T3 was adjusted into the upper third of its range and Free T4 adjusted to around the middle of its range. Free T3 is the thyroid hormone that largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions. Scientific studies have shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate.
From your description you seem to be doing fairly well on the 150 mcg of T4 med. So you may choose to do nothing further. If you feel that you need to tweak your meds at all, then the addition of a small amount med containing T3 med would be the right way to go.
Since hypothyroid patients also frequently find that they are low in Vitamin D, B12, and iron, it would be a good idea to test those at your next opportunity.
From your description you seem to be doing fairly well on the 150 mcg of T4 med. So you may choose to do nothing further. If you feel that you need to tweak your meds at all, then the addition of a small amount med containing T3 med would be the right way to go.
Since hypothyroid patients also frequently find that they are low in Vitamin D, B12, and iron, it would be a good idea to test those at your next opportunity.
Sorry for the terible formatting
TSH 2.4 miu/l (0.32-5.2)
T3 1.2 .ng/ml (0.6-2.1)
T4 8.3 ug/dl (4.7-12.5)
TSH 2.4 miu/l (0.32-5.2)
T3 1.2 .ng/ml (0.6-2.1)
T4 8.3 ug/dl (4.7-12.5)
These are the results of my labs taken on 3rd may whilst taking 150mcg of levithyroxine. The T3 & T4 are free readings.
TSH 2.4 miu/l (0.32-5.2) T3 1.2 .ng/ml (0.6-2.1) T4 8.3 ug/dl. (4.7-12.5)
TSH 2.4 miu/l (0.32-5.2) T3 1.2 .ng/ml (0.6-2.1) T4 8.3 ug/dl. (4.7-12.5)
Thank you for your help, I am going to give blood tomorrow and will ask them to do a full check.
It is really difficult to say much beyond observing that your T4 result is low in any reference ranges I have seen for Total T4. I cannot find any range that seems to fit with your T3 result. Although the 150 mcg of T4 did help you, in view of your continued low temperature, you may find that you need a source of T3 in your meds. I also suspect this is the case because so many hypo patients taking only T4 type meds find that their body does not adequately convert the T4 to T3. Since Free T3 is the thyroid hormone that largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions, if you are not adequately converting, then your Free T3 level will be too low in the range and will result in lingering hypo symptoms.
Will you be able to get tested for Free T3 and Free T4 when you see your gp? If not, then at least get Total T3 and Total T4, and post results and reference ranges and members will try to help advise further. You might also ask the gp about a trial dose of meds containing T3.
Will you be able to get tested for Free T3 and Free T4 when you see your gp? If not, then at least get Total T3 and Total T4, and post results and reference ranges and members will try to help advise further. You might also ask the gp about a trial dose of meds containing T3.
Hi gimel,
sorry I cannot be more helpful, I am unable to get the ranges for those T3 and T4 readings but I do have the result of my TSH reading which was taken in the UK in march.
TSH - 2.25 range 0.27-4.5
They do not test T3 and T4 separately there either. The above result is as a result of me taking 100mcg of Levothyroxine. It was after this that I was advised to take 150mcg on which I am able to function normally.
Would you be able to advise with regards to this?
musicalthoughts - i will bring this issue up with my gp when I see her next although having done some reading on Wilsons i do not think that this fits my problems right now as the rest of my health is fine.
sorry I cannot be more helpful, I am unable to get the ranges for those T3 and T4 readings but I do have the result of my TSH reading which was taken in the UK in march.
TSH - 2.25 range 0.27-4.5
They do not test T3 and T4 separately there either. The above result is as a result of me taking 100mcg of Levothyroxine. It was after this that I was advised to take 150mcg on which I am able to function normally.
Would you be able to advise with regards to this?
musicalthoughts - i will bring this issue up with my gp when I see her next although having done some reading on Wilsons i do not think that this fits my problems right now as the rest of my health is fine.
It is really difficult to assess your status without knowing the reference ranges for the T3 and T4 tests. Since test results and the calculated reference ranges vary from one lab to another, you need to be able to see where your results fall within the ranges.
From ranges I have seen for Total T4, I think you will find that yours is too low in the range. I can't even guess about your T3, because I have never seen a range that would contain your test result. Would it be possible to get the lab's reference ranges for those tests?
From ranges I have seen for Total T4, I think you will find that yours is too low in the range. I can't even guess about your T3, because I have never seen a range that would contain your test result. Would it be possible to get the lab's reference ranges for those tests?
they are total T3 and T4 tests. I live in East Africa and they do not have the facilities to test Free T3 and T4 tests.
With regards to the reference ranges would this be for example
TSH .35-5.5?
.
From what I know, you may not be converting T4 properly to T3 and as a result making RT3 which creates negative results...you may need to lower Synthroid and add a T3 (Cytomel) medication which ought to be time released...have your DR check RT3 levels and you might want to look up Wilson's Syndrome
also I should add that I was diagnosed with PCOS 5 years ago and have an intolerance to wheat and gram flour. I don't know if all of this is connected.
they are total T3 and T4 tests. I live in East Africa and they do not have the facilities to test Free T3 and T4 tests.
With regards to the reference ranges would this be for example
TSH .35-5.5?
With regards to the reference ranges would this be for example
TSH .35-5.5?
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