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[GeckoKath]

Hello All,

I’m following this post as about to have thyroid tests. Not sure if just menopause, but have extreme fatigue and other possible thyroid symptoms like flaky nails, feeling cold, especially my feet, brain fog, the list goes on…. You mention taking temperature ATB in mornings, is your temperature always low when you are poorly with your thyroid? Does it fluctuate? Is it only ‘normal’ once treatment is effective?

Many thanks for posting all this info, it’s really helpful. Xx

[ATB]

Yes you’ll have a low body temp if hypothyroid, consistently low. If you give it a Google there’s a few doctors that have written a lot on it.

[Marchlove]

Hi All

Here are my results from
Medichecks

TSH 1.25 mU/L Range 0.27- 4.2
Free T3. 3.63 pmol/L Range 3.1 - 6.8
Free Thyroxine 16.8 pmol/L Range 12-22
Antibodies
Thyroglobulin  11 IU/ml Range <115
Thyroid Peroxidase <9 IU/ml Range <34

I’m on 60mcg thyroxine. I’m under weight so my specialist I think bases it somewhat on body weight.

Any suggestions anyone? xx

[ATB]

You would want your FT3 to be in the upper quarter of the range and it’s at the lower end of it instead, but with a FT4 about halfway, which is where it should be. This suggests to me possibly a conversion issue. You’re on T4 only medication which might be the issue, also on a low dose of it. Are your estrogen levels good?

[Marchlove]

Thanks ATB.
Not had estrogen tested for awhile so not sure but don’t do well on high estrogen. Is there a connection with estrogen and FT3?

Specialist said she would put me on T3 if I had conversion issues. She doesn’t prescribe NDT by the way.

xx

[ATB]

It’s very confusing now estrogen and thyroid interest, but estrogen fominajce reduces the amount of active thyroid hormone available. Hypothyroidism itself can create estrogen dominance as it inhibits excretion of estrogen. I would definitely discuss T3 meds with your GP, synthetic T3 & T4 works for most people, my doctor didn’t think it was right for me but one day I’m going to try it again because I don’t like NDT- it works but I don’t like taking it. Anyway, I also meant to ask do you have symptoms of hypothyroidism right now? Do the test results make sense?

[Marchlove]

I was very surprised my antibodies were normal, might be because I have taken selenium for awhile.

The tests make sense in that although a lot of my original hypothyroid symptoms have diminished something still doesn’t seem right.
I suppose the main symptom that is not right is lack of energy, although this does fluctuate.

I will speak to specialist about T3.
How is this usually prescribed, oral, sublingual?
Do you start low and increase?

Thank you ATB. Hopefully this will help others watching this thread. xx

[ATB]

Yes it’s a tablet/grain form like T4. I don’t know about starting it when already on thyroxine, but assume that it’s the same as starting on both, which is yes starting low as well, and gradually increasing.

[Marchlove]

Hope you’re feeling a bit better today xx

[ATB]

I am, thank you. I might still not quite be with it though as I ate too close to taking Utrogestan. Completely forgot!

[pepperminty]

Very interesting thread,

I am starting to look into my thyroid and I know I am low on T3. So all the links are very useful along with the marvelous knowledge imparted.
 
I wonder if there are any links to more enlightened specialists who diagnose and treat well? Or do they all go by the book? I do not want to wait until I hit the floor before I get diagnosed. My GP is useless - all levels of everything in blood tests -including those just above ( by one point)  deficient , are classed as you are ok.  .

PMxx

[ATB]

If you go to ‘thyroid uk’ ( not the BTF ) have a list of doctors that order full panels and have all different thyroid meds as options. It’s also possible menopause and estrogen dominance lower available thyroid hormones, an experienced practitioner will know if it’s true hypothyroidism.

[Sid]

Hi, I recently had blood tests for suspected Sjogren’s and have returned a positive ANA so my GP will be referring me to rheumatology. A rheumatology appointment is likely to take an age, and I wonder if some of my symptoms may be caused by an under active thyroid (my body temperature is always on the low side, 35.7 to 36.4, I always feel cold, have dry eyes and mouth, have put on weight and suffer from bad fatigue in the afternoons). My GP did not test my thyroid function and I wonder if you think this would be helpful?  Thanks for your advice x

[Marchlove]

Yes, indeed it would Sid. They are classic symptoms, so get your Gp to test TSH and if you can persuade them T4 and let us know the results.

It’s a start, you might have to test further privately but it’s small steps with this things.

Good luck xx

[Sid]

Thank you x