Help me clear the mist of confusion please...

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

I recently had my TT operation, and I am currently on 150 mcg of

Levothyroxine. I am due to have my blood tested on 25th Jan, and

then due a follow-up at the hospital on 18th Feb.

I have done so much reading lately that I am chasing my tail as to

what I should and shouldn't be looking for when it comes to levels

of various things and tests etc.

1. what blood tests should I be having? ( not " what do the docs what

tested " )

2. what are the " normal " ranges I should be aiming for at this time?

( I understand that there isn't really a thing as " normal " but I

need a baseline to work from)

3. Are there any questions I should be specifically asking at this

stage? Or any other tests I need?

When I saw my GP today I asked him what the results were from the

blood test I had back in July when my Goitre was first diagnosed,

and he told me that my TSH was 0.73 ( range 0.35-6.9), but my FT3

etc wasn't tested, but that I can mention it when I have the next

lot drawn.

Reason being I asked, ( and please correct me if I am wrong...), was

that I remember reading that your liver converts T4 into FT3.

Well back in 2004 I was 6 months pregnant and I had severe pre-

eclampsia and was hospitalised for 2 weeks. During that time I

became very ill as a result of the condition attacking my liver and

kidneys.

I was pregnant again within a year, and that is when I first began

to suffer with problems from the (as yet undiagnosed) Goitre.

I am now wondering if my liver is damaged to the point where it is

not converting my hormones properly??

At first the Levothyroxine( and 2 weeks worth of Calcium) was great,

and I felt amazing for 2 whole weeks, ( well 3, but the first week I

was too sore from the op to notice), my skin cleared up, I got up

and did housework, made dinner, went to bed at a normal time and

slept well....but now I have started getting headaches on a daily

basis, my dry skin patches are back on my face and my energy has

dropped a bit.I had a menstrual period 2 days after the op which

lasted for 5 days and was mild compared to before, but now I am

waiting for signs of another.( used to be every 26 days before, it

will be 28 tomorrow)

The food cravings I used to have pre-op had completely gone, but are

very slowly creeping back...

Grrrrr..is it pms or something else?? lol

Anyway, sorry to ramble on, and congratulations if you got this

far...Hope I've made some sense!

Regards,

.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I know well he difficulty of trying to get your head around a

complicated subject!

>>>>>>>>>.1. what blood tests should I be having? ( not " what do the docs

what

tested " )

TSH free T4 and free T3

>>>>>>..2. what are the " normal " ranges I should be aiming for at this time?

( I understand that there isn't really a thing as " normal " but I

need a baseline to work from)

Most folk seem to do best with the free T4 and free T3 in

the top quarter of the range- which dose vary slightly between labs- once

you are on meds TSH is largely irrelevant.

3. Are there any questions I should be specifically asking at this

stage? Or any other tests I need?

Try very hard to get that T3 done. Your story sounds like mine ( with the

exception of the preeclampsia) so I think you are right to be concerned.

Messages are not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always

consult with a suitably qualified practitioner before changing medication.

[Guest guest]

HI

I can remember when I first joined a forum when I was diagnosed, I had no idea what people were talking about and everybody seemed so knowledgeable. I thought I would never understand, but sometimes, I think I now know more than the majority of GP's ...so give it time, and you will soon become very knowledgeable. This is why many endoprats tell us that the Internet is a dangerous thing. I only wish they would use the Internet to do a bit of research, because if they did' I am sure we would not have to rely on such a 'dangerous' source of information.

First, 24 hours at least before you are due to have your thyroid function test, stop your thyroid hormone replacement. T4 has a very long half life, so you are not going to miss it and won't have any awful reaction or feel bad. You need A Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test, a Free thyroxine (FT4) and a Free triiodothyronine (FT3) test. DO press the need for the Free T3 test and tell them about the problem that you had with your liver and kidneys and that you are aware that the inactive T4 MUST convert to the active T3 to enable your body to function. If your liver is unable to do this, you would need to add either synthetic T3 to your T4, or take natural thyroid extract. When these blood results are back with your GP, ask for the results and make sure you get the reference range for each one and post them on the group so we can help you interpret them. The TSH reference range is usually around 0.5 to 5.0. You are looking for a result of around 1.0 or less. Free T4 is usually around 9.0 to 22, and you need a result well into the upper third of the range and the same with Free T3. Can't really do much until you have the results back. IF the NHS refuse to do a Free T3 test, you can get this done through NPTech.

You could have Candida Albicans and you could have low adrenal fatigue. You can be tested to see if this is the case, but you can do a free questionnaire (in our Files) to see if this could be a problem, either of these conditions stops your thyroxine working as it should. Be sure to write everything down when you see the endo so you don't come away thinking "I wish I had asked him this..or that!". Also, if possible, take somebody with you.

Go into our FILES and look at "First visit to Endo". You might get some idea of what questions you might want to be asking .

Luv - Sheila

At first the Levothyroxine( and 2 weeks worth of Calcium) was great, and I felt amazing for 2 whole weeks, ( well 3, but the first week I was too sore from the op to notice), my skin cleared up, I got up and did housework, made dinner, went to bed at a normal time and slept well....but now I have started getting headaches on a daily basis, my dry skin patches are back on my face and my energy has dropped a bit.I had a menstrual period 2 days after the op which lasted for 5 days and was mild compared to before, but now I am waiting for signs of another.( used to be every 26 days before, it will be 28 tomorrow)The food cravings I used to have pre-op had completely gone, but are very slowly creeping back...Grrrrr..is it pms or something else?? lol

..

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