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Latest A1c

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carol43

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,198
Location
South Nottinghamshire
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
39

but my thyroid problems raise their head again.
When I was diagnosed T2 in 2015 I was taking 150mcg of Levothyroxine, this has gradually reduced as my weight and BG have lowered and am now taking 75mcg. Latest blood test shows that I am below reference limit again. I have searched for the reasons but can find nothing. Is it because I have lowered my weight and/or BG, has this affected my pituitary gland? GP has no idea.
 
Well done on the new HbA1c result!
I can’t comment on the thyroid problems, but hope between you and your GP can get it sorted x
 
Brilliant HbA1c and a great achievement. :) I know nothing about thyroid issues so can't help with that I'm afraid.
 
I've no info re. thyroid either, but just wanted to say very well done on your new result!
 
carol43 said:
my thyroid problems raise their head again.
... Latest blood test shows that I am below reference limit again.
Click to expand...
Do you know what was tested ? I suspect TSH, which is the default go-to test for GPs, and ACCORDING TO THE OFFICIAL LINE, tells your GP if you have a thyroid problem or not. Particularly with subclinical hypothyroidism the test is next to useless.
Were your FT3 and FT4 measured ? These are better indicators of thyroid health.
It appears that subclinical hypothyroidism, when properly treated, will lower the TSH level, sometimes to a level that GPs won't like.
I learned a great amount about my condition (subclinical hypothyroidism) from here https://stopthethyroidmadness.com
My condition, before treatment, was not detectable on a TSH test. I persuaded my GP to test for antibodies, and BINGO !
Started on levothyroxine, and later chose to self-fund NDT instead.
Dr Malcolm Kendrick has written about NHS treatment of thyroid problems
https://drmalcolmkendrick.org/2015/05/01/treating-thyroid-patients-like-children/
Geoff
 
Agree about Ft3and Ft4 needing to be tested - thyroid stimulating hormone tsh) gives an indication of whether the thyroid is struggling to produce enough hormones and needs a kick to work harder to do so Free T3 and T4 levels give an indication of how well thats working
Ive been found to have high Tsh several times with out of whack Ft3 & Ft4, but the endos have said that the results have to be off in 3 consecutive tests over a few months for them to treat - my body seems to rebel at the idea of more meds and ao far has always produced an in range result on the third test
 
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@librarising @Boo1979
TSH 0.2 miu/L (0.5-4.4)
T4 16.8 pmol/L (10-20
T3 6.4 pmol/L (3.5-6.5)
Please note new reference range for TSH, FT3 and FT4 as of 2.12.17

I take 75mcg of Levothyroxine and 3/4 mcg of T3 (self provided)
I've never had any of the symptoms of under-active thyroid but a private blood test did show that I have high level of anti-bodies and ferritin was high.

On a side note I got two letters today, eye screen good and bowel screen good. At least I'm doing something right.
 
Last edited:
carol43 said:
@librarising @Boo1979
TSH 0.2 miu/L (0.2-4.4)
T4 16.8 pmol/L (10-20
T3 6.4 pmol/L (3.5-6.5)
Please note new reference range for TSH, FT3 and FT4 as of 2.12.17

I take 75mcg of Levothyroxine and 3/4 mcg of T3 (self provided)
I've never had any of the symptoms of under-active thyroid but a private blood test did show that I have high level of anti-bodies and ferritin was high.

On a side note I got two letters today, eye screen good and bowel screen good. At least I'm doing something right.
Click to expand...
Those levels look good to me. They also look within range, so where's the problem ?
Geoff
 
carol43 said:
@librarising
Sorry made a mistake on the TSH should be:- TSH 0.2 miu/L (0.5-4.4)
Click to expand...
My TSH is lower than that, and yes my GP is concerned, but I remain reassured that the low level is not indicative of a problem.
Thyroidism isn't one problem, or even two (hypo/hyper)
It may be too little T4 is produced. The TSH test will pick this up.
It may be enough T4 is produced, but the body fails to convert it to T3. The TSH test will not pick this up.
It may be both.
It may be other causes.
Being multi-cause, it's also multi-solution. Not just levothyoxine (= synthetic T4), the standard treatment by GPs.
Some need T4 alone. Some T3 alone. Some a combination (which requires fine-tuning.)
Some respond better to natural thyroid (NDT). The NHS tends to have a one-size-fits-all approach.
My belief (which comes from research) is that thyroid should be treated to the patient's symptoms, not a TSH level.
Geoff
 
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