Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
I would really appreciate some feedback on the lab results that I just got back. I was diagnosed hypo in July 2015, was put on 50 MCG of levothyroxine. I had my first follow up appointment today.
Since starting on the levo, some of my symptoms have gone away (muscle aches, fatigue is much reduced). I even lost a few pounds. I still have some symptoms (tinnitus, hair loss). The endo said to be patient about the symptoms that haven't cleared up yet.
She noted that my vitamin D is very low. I am taking 2,000 mg daily but admitted that I haven't been super consistent about it. She advised to keep up the 2,000 mg - being consistent.
She concluded by writing a prescription to continue on levo at the same dosage and said to come back in 1 year.
Prior Results (May/June 2015)
TSH: 5.3mcIU/mL (range: .30 - 5.00 mcIU/mL)
Free T4: 0.86 ng/dL (range 0.80 - 1.80 ng/dL
Today's Results
TSH: 3.23 uIU/mL (range 0.45 - 4.5 uIU/mL)
Free T4: .97 ng/dL (range 0.82 - 1.77 ng/dL)
Vitamin D, 25-Hdroxy: 20.3L ng/mL (range: 30.3 - 100)
Free T3: not tested
I see the improvement but I think that the results (and how I feel) could be better. I am considering getting a second opinion regarding treatment.
Does anyone have any advice or suggestions for me?
Since starting on the levo, some of my symptoms have gone away (muscle aches, fatigue is much reduced). I even lost a few pounds. I still have some symptoms (tinnitus, hair loss). The endo said to be patient about the symptoms that haven't cleared up yet.
She noted that my vitamin D is very low. I am taking 2,000 mg daily but admitted that I haven't been super consistent about it. She advised to keep up the 2,000 mg - being consistent.
She concluded by writing a prescription to continue on levo at the same dosage and said to come back in 1 year.
Prior Results (May/June 2015)
TSH: 5.3mcIU/mL (range: .30 - 5.00 mcIU/mL)
Free T4: 0.86 ng/dL (range 0.80 - 1.80 ng/dL
Today's Results
TSH: 3.23 uIU/mL (range 0.45 - 4.5 uIU/mL)
Free T4: .97 ng/dL (range 0.82 - 1.77 ng/dL)
Vitamin D, 25-Hdroxy: 20.3L ng/mL (range: 30.3 - 100)
Free T3: not tested
I see the improvement but I think that the results (and how I feel) could be better. I am considering getting a second opinion regarding treatment.
Does anyone have any advice or suggestions for me?
The thing to understand is there are "normal" levels, and there are "optimal" levels. Just because your TSH and T4 are falling within the ranges doesn't mean that they're at the optimal levels for you. The vast majority of people need their T4 to fall somewhere around the upper 75% of the range. Right now here's where you're at:
May/June T4 6%
Today T4 15.7%
You're still waaaaay hypo. Your TSH is going to naturally come down as you take thyroid replacement medication, so you shouldn't even be taking that into consideration so much. You really need to be paying attention to your Free T4 and Free T3 as those are the actual thyroid hormones that you're trying to optimize.
I'm not a doctor, but it's my opinion that you need an increase in your medication. At the very least your doctor should be testing your levels every four to six weeks to track the progress, with the aim of getting your Free T4 up higher in that range. If it's not moving up you need an increase. And you need to be watching your Free T3 too because that's the actual "active" hormone that your body is using, and sometimes people's T4 can be perfect but need adjustment in their T3 levels.
I would go for a second opinion, especially if you're still having symptoms. Endos are really bad at treating thyroid disorders, I'm surprised you managed to wrangle even a little medicine out of that one. Do you know anyone else with thyroid problems who can refer you to a good local doctor?
I feel you on the vitamin D levels. I started taking 10,000 IU pills every day just because I couldn't get my levels to budge at 2,000.
Did you have your vitamin B levels tested also? Those are usually also really low in hypo patients, and low vitamin B can cause tinnitus and nerve issues. Methyl B-12 has been a lifesaver for me.
This isnt medical advice as everybodies different, but i think in Dr Wentz book "Root Cause" she mentions levo only based meds is 1.7mcg x body weight kg, so for me thats 100x 1.7 which is 170mcg. But you dont start off at that, you work your way up maybe testing every 6 weeks etc. Again, Im not a doctor.
Some people like me never feel better because we are born miserable bahahaha.