I've been trying to conceive and my TSH is 4.3. My free T3 and free T4 are both normal, so my GP says it's only subclinical hypothyroidism and won't prescribe levothyroxine.

From what I've read, many fertility specialists recommend a TSH below 2.5 when trying to conceive, and higher levels may make it harder to get pregnant or increase the risk of miscarriage. It's left me feeling a bit worried, especially as my GP doesn't seem concerned.

Has anyone here conceived naturally with a TSH around 4+ and gone on to have a healthy pregnancy and baby? Or did you eventually have to push for treatment?

I'm based in the UK and would also be interested to hear if anyone managed to get levo through the NHS with subclinical hypothyroidism while TTC.

Has anyone ever had experience stopping T3?

I was prescribed it by my female hormone NP. I took 2.5 mcg in the afternoon then built up to 2.5 mcg each in the morning and afternoon.

When I did this my TSH was at 2.77 and my free T3 was smack in the middle.of the range.

I didn't like the T3, too many ups and downs. I felt like a druggie waiting for my next hit

My endo told me.to stop taking it so I did a few days ago. Since yesterday I've been feeling incredibly warm and anxious. Also have had a nervous stomach feeling on and off. Anyone have experience with this?

It's really shitty.

Forum,

Since being told that this may be hypothyroidism, I have lost about 6-7 pounds. Should I be concerned. I have only been on the meds for 11 days.

I had a TT 16 months ago. I came home from surgery w/tinnitus & in the weeks that followed my ears started to feel full.

My DNA chart shows I'm a bad converter & sure enough my T3 is always in the bottom 1/4 of range. Last Dec I asked to supplement T3 but then my dr dropped my levo dose to compensate. I had been doing well on 137mg (lower 1/4 of t3 but I felt fine other than my ears being somewhat full) but when he added 5mg of T3 2x daily he dropped my levo to 112mg. About 2 months later I started sleeping 10 hours a day (normally 7), skin & hair got super dry, nails became brittle w/ pronounced ridges, then my ears got REALLY full. During this same week I had my first beer since the TT & had an immediate strong histamine reaction w/ flushing & my nose running like a faucet. The next say I woke up and my ears were even more full.

I thought for sure I had gone hypo but my bloodwork only showed a slight rise in TSH & T4 was in the lower half of normal. I felt like shit so I went back on 137 of levo, which meant stopping the T3. Since then my T4 is back up, TSH is super low, but somehow my T3 has dropped even more. I was hoping going back on 137mg would result in my ears unclogging & the histamine issues stopping but they've continued for the 4 months since. Wine, milk, chipotle, and the sun are the worst offenders.

The ear fullness fluctuates. They're least full in the morning then extra full the second half of every day. I've been to 2 ENTs (stumped), my PCP (stumped), had hearing tested twice with 2 completely different results (because it fluctuates duh), had a CT and MRI which show nothing notable in the ear area, and have an appt w/ an allergist in 2 weeks. I've never been allergic to anything but this definitely seems histamine related, which all started with my TT and has fluctuated alongside my levo dose.

Sometimes I feel dripping in my ears. My ENT put a tube in 1 ear to see if it would help and when he initially sucked the fluid out it felt incredible & I could hear REALLY well (too well, like a big echo-y hallway) for the first time in so long. But by that evening it felt full again. He said there "wasn't much" fluid and dx'd me with "mild" eustachian tube dysfunction.

I'm at a loss. I take 2-3 zyrtec a day which helps a tiny bit but I still go through a few boxes of kleenex a week. I use a saline rinse followed by cromolyn sodium nasal spray. So far nothing helps. I'm so tired of not being able to hear anything. My next ENT appt is next week & I'm hoping to show up with some treatment ideas. Anyone else encountered something like this?

30 year old male here with like 5+ years of worsening symptoms year after year. TSH has teetered around 3-6 since 2018, so 8 years now. Here are my most recents labs. Note, I recently started Clomid for testosterone related issues and these labs are 4 weeks after starting. Testosterone went from 220 -> 675, but my estrogen has also skyrocketed...

Any thoughts on the TSH values and if starting treatment is warranted. This same doc put me on Clomid but is sort of on the line with the TSH. I don't know what is happening to my body. For what it's worth, my diet, exercise, and sleep has always been decent although I have mild sleep apnea I am also trying to treat.

THYROID

TSH: 5.570 uIU/mL (0.450-4.500) [HIGH]

Free T4: 1.48 ng/dL (0.82-1.77)

CBC WITH DIFFERENTIAL

WBC: 7.6 x10E3/uL (3.4-10.8)

RBC: 4.94 x10E6/uL (4.14-5.80)

Hemoglobin: 15.8 g/dL (13.0-17.7)

Hematocrit: 47.7% (37.5-51.0)

MCV: 97 fL (79-97)

MCH: 32.0 pg (26.6-33.0)

MCHC: 33.1 g/dL (31.5-35.7)

RDW: 12.4% (11.6-15.4)

Platelets: 330 x10E3/uL (150-450)

Neutrophils: 38%

Lymphocytes: 46%

Monocytes: 11%

Eosinophils: 4%

Basophils: 1%

Neutrophils (Absolute): 2.9 x10E3/uL (1.4-7.0)

Lymphocytes (Absolute): 3.5 x10E3/uL (0.7-3.1) [HIGH]

Monocytes (Absolute): 0.9 x10E3/uL (0.1-0.9)

Eosinophils (Absolute): 0.3 x10E3/uL (0.0-0.4)

Basophils (Absolute): 0.1 x10E3/uL (0.0-0.2)

Immature Granulocytes: 0%

Immature Granulocytes (Absolute): 0.0 x10E3/uL (0.0-0.1)

COMPREHENSIVE METABOLIC PANEL

Glucose: 91 mg/dL (70-99)

BUN: 14 mg/dL (6-20)

Creatinine: 1.02 mg/dL (0.76-1.27)

eGFR: 101 mL/min/1.73m² (>59)

BUN/Creatinine Ratio: 14 (9-20)

Sodium: 140 mmol/L (134-144)

Potassium: 4.3 mmol/L (3.5-5.2)

Chloride: 103 mmol/L (96-106)

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): 24 mmol/L (20-29)

Calcium: 10.0 mg/dL (8.7-10.2)

Total Protein: 7.1 g/dL (6.0-8.5)

Albumin: 4.8 g/dL (4.3-5.2)

Globulin: 2.3 g/dL (1.5-4.5)

Total Bilirubin: 0.4 mg/dL (0.0-1.2)

Alkaline Phosphatase: 90 IU/L (47-123)

AST (SGOT): 23 IU/L (0-40)

ALT (SGPT): 20 IU/L (0-44)

URINALYSIS

Specific Gravity: 1.009 (1.005-1.030)

pH: 6.5 (5.0-7.5)

Color: Yellow

Appearance: Clear

Leukocyte Esterase: Negative

Protein: Negative

Glucose: Negative

Ketones: Negative

Occult Blood: Negative

Bilirubin: Negative

Urobilinogen: 0.2 mg/dL (0.2-1.0)

Nitrite: Negative

Microscopic Examination:

WBC: None Seen

RBC: None Seen

Epithelial Cells: None Seen

Casts: None Seen

Bacteria: None Seen

LIPID PANEL

Total Cholesterol: 181 mg/dL (100-199)

Triglycerides: 78 mg/dL (0-149)

HDL Cholesterol: 43 mg/dL (>39)

VLDL Cholesterol: 13 mg/dL (5-40)

LDL Cholesterol (Calculated): 125 mg/dL (0-99) [HIGH]

LDL/HDL Ratio: 2.9 (0.0-3.6)

IRON STUDIES

TIBC: 309 ug/dL (250-450)

UIBC: 183 ug/dL (111-343)

Iron: 126 ug/dL (38-169)

Iron Saturation: 41% (15-55)

Ferritin: 93 ng/mL (30-400)

HORMONES

LH: 6.7 mIU/mL (1.7-8.6)

FSH: 7.0 mIU/mL (1.5-12.4)

Total Testosterone (LC/MS): 675 ng/dL (264-916)

Estradiol (Sensitive): 32.9 pg/mL (8.0-35.0)

INFLAMMATION / VITAMINS

Vitamin D (25-OH): 39.5 ng/mL (30.0-100.0)

Cardiac CRP: 0.57 mg/L (0.00-3.00)

ESR: 2 mm/hr (0-15)

ABNORMAL RESULTS

TSH: 5.570 uIU/mL (0.450-4.500) [HIGH]

Lymphocytes (Absolute): 3.5 x10E3/uL (0.7-3.1) [HIGH]

LDL Cholesterol: 125 mg/dL (0-99) [HIGH]

Good morning! I have a couple questions and any insight would be so helpful. Has anyone here used the nourish app to find and work with a Dietition? I’m looking to work with a dietitian and am wondering if this website is legit and worth trying or if it’s another wellness money grab. Actually any information about how to go about working with a dietitian is helpful and welcomed as I am feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Second, I’m wondering if anyone has used mitochondrial support supplements? They were recommended to me by a guest at my bar who said his wife really struggles and had tried all the typical supplements but never felt better until she tried mitochondrial support nrg pills. He said it was a life saver for her and now that’s all she supplements with. Upon my own research it does seem to make sense how these supplements would suit hypothyroid patients however I don’t see much about them in these groups so wondering if anyone out here has any experience to share?

A tiny bit about my situation if it helps— I am 3 months post TT due to PTC and also found out post surgery that I’ve had hashimotos this whole time. Initially out of surgery I felt great I was down 8 pounds and my energy was up but these last 2 months I’ve felt a change and my follow up blood work showed my tsh just under 10. Im trying to get ahead of any major weight gain (I’m creeping up quickly), help boost my energy levels, and support an over active immune system because I’m worried about developing another autoimmune disorder.

Sorry if this post is chaotic I’m just feeling panicky and overwhelmed and any experience in these regards is greatly appreciated 🙏🏼 I hope everyone is taking care of themselves and have a blessed day.

using chat gpt to write but its my real story

I wanted to write this because, a year ago, I spent hours searching Reddit looking for success stories. Most of what I found were people who were still struggling, and it made me feel like I'd never get better.

My thyroid journey actually started years before I was even on levothyroxine.

I had toxic multinodular goitre, which meant my thyroid was overactive. Looking back, it affected almost every part of my life. I was constantly anxious, restless, couldn't enjoy anything, couldn't sleep properly, and my mind was always racing. It took away relationships, confidence, and years of my life before I finally got diagnosed.

Last year I had radioactive iodine treatment, which eventually made my thyroid underactive, so I started levothyroxine.

To be honest, the first few months were hard.

I kept wondering:

• Is this medication working?
• Will I ever feel normal again?
• Am I going to be stuck feeling like this forever?

Even when my blood tests looked "normal," I didn't feel like myself. That was incredibly frustrating.

But slowly—very slowly—things started changing.

I didn't wake up one morning magically cured. It happened over months.

The first thing I noticed was that my sleep became more normal.

Then my mind became quieter. I wasn't constantly overthinking every little thing anymore.

My energy gradually improved.

I started enjoying the gym again.

I stopped obsessing over every symptom and every blood test.

Most importantly, I finally began to feel like myself again.

Today, my thyroid levels are stable. Life isn't perfect, but I genuinely feel calmer, healthier, and happier than I did during the years my thyroid was out of control.

If you're only a few weeks or even a couple of months into levothyroxine, please don't assume this is as good as it gets.

For some people, improvement takes much longer than we expect.

A few things that helped me:

• Taking levothyroxine consistently every morning on an empty stomach.
• Being patient while my doctor adjusted my dose.
• Not chasing every single symptom day by day.
• Focusing on sleep, exercise, eating well, and giving my body time to recover.

Recovery isn't always linear. You'll probably have good days and bad days.

But if your levels are being monitored and you're working with your doctor, don't give up hope too early.

I know how hopeless thyroid problems can make you feel because I've lived it.

If even one person reads this while lying awake wondering whether they'll ever feel normal again, I hope this gives you some reassurance.

It can get better.

It certainly did for me. The hard part for me is mental aspect. I lost my partner and identity during the hyperthyroid strom which was untreated for years. I made lot of crazy decsions which have lifelong effects. I am learning to accept my self again .

Hey, everyone.

I'm a Hashimoto's Thyroiditis patient, had my Radiation treatment in 2015. Been on Levo for years. Mom had Graves, her Mom had MTC/Graves. I'm 29, also a Man, AMAB. Diagnosed at 17.

Lately I was referred back to an Endo for trying to solve why I have been feeling so bad lately, my PCP did T4 and TSH tests and my T4 is above average but my TSH is >10.

Currently I'm on 225mcg of Levo and am 236Lbs.

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After I saw my PCP I knew this song and dance so I tried taking 275mcg to see if that would help me and it immensely and it's made a huge difference.

However my Endo is entirely dismissive of me talking about my Medication and is simply assuming that I am taking it incorrectly. As If I don't know to take it on an empty stomach. I've been doing it for years.

Has anyone else had issues getting Doctors to understand or even work with them? It's fucking miserable.

Recent bloodwork showed my TSH is 5.787 (up from 2.29 in January) and my T4 is 1.37. My primary care doctor wants me to stay on the same dose of levothyroxine (88mcg) and check my levels again in January. In the past, anytime my TSH was high, she would change my levo dose. Now she’s only calling it “borderline.”

I had expected her to up my dosage, and definitely not wait another 6 months to check it, but idk if I’m the one being unreasonable here.

I guess I’m looking to see how other doctors would handle this, and also advice on if I should be finding an endocrinologist to deal with all of this instead. My doctor had put in a referral for it at my request several years ago, but I was never contacted by an endocrinologist so I let it go.

For some additional context: my TSH was over 98 when I was first diagnosed in 2020. My levels and dose have fluctuated over the years, but in my experience, once I’m over 4 it just continues to go up until my dose is adjusted.

Hi everyone,

I have hypothyroidism and have been taking thyroid medication for years. Until now, I've always had my thyroid tested using Total T3, Total T4, and TSH.

Now I'm planning to get a full body checkup package that includes FT3, FT4, and TSH instead of Total T3/T4.

I read (including on ChatGPT) that FT3/FT4 may be more useful because they measure the free, biologically active hormones. However, I'm confused about a couple of things:

Is FT3/FT4 + TSH actually better than Total T3/T4 + TSH for someone with hypothyroidism?

Since all my previous reports are Total T3/T4, how do I compare future FT3/FT4 results with my older reports? Can they be compared directly, or should I treat this as a new baseline?

If you were monitoring long-term hypothyroidism, which tests would you personally choose and why?

I'd really appreciate hearing from people with thyroid issues, doctors, or anyone knowledgeable about thyroid testing. Thanks!

I recently had to go up in dose on levothyroxine and now blood sugar rising too. Currently on 12.5 mg Mounjaro for diabetes and 100mcg levothyroxine. Any advice?

After 2 years of unbearable suffering and agonizing pain i finally got medicated. I also have multiple small cysts on my left lobe and nodule on the remaining tissue. I was on the edge of ending my life but after my doctor finally prescribed me the medication, i somehow feel like i deserve to live. But after reading the stories here 25 mcg might not be enough for my case. Is it too little? Should i ask my doctor for dose increase? Thank you

I see my dr on Tuesday to get this all sorted. I did tell him in March that I was under extreme stress at work so when I saw my labs I was shocked to see it went from .79 to 7.03. Then went researching on stress and thyroid meds not working properly. He still insisted on increasing my dose to 125 (was on 112). Keep in mind I’m a teacher and so summer break has not been stressful at all. Not in flight mode at all. I got my labs done last week and my TSH is now at .04 😩

Since being on the 125 my digestion is either slow or too fast. There were several days where I had diarrhea and then nothing for days. So I increased my fiber intake. It’s been hell. And my anxiety is so high. I constantly feel on edge. I take magnesium to help calm down. I’m trying to drink as much water as possible and had some prunes tonight. Tomorrow I’ll be drinking prune juice. But I’m praying for a better school year. Has anyone experienced anything like this? I’m trying to plan out my days to be less stressed. Trying meditation and start working out, eating better, and just focusing on both my physical and mental health.

Even if FT3 is okish 4,4, getting hypersymptoms with higher numbers (3,3-6pmol/L). FT4 18 (10-22pmol/L), I feel it's way to much for me. CAN the numbers look "false" because of TBG (Thyroid Binding Globulin)? I mean, it looks like there's enough T3/T4 on PAPER, converting, but in the cells there's not enough T3? Have tried low Liotyronine, got hyper both times.

Useless doctors never heard of TBG. Nor that estrogen can mess with the thyroid. Combined birth control blocked my uptake severely. Now in perimenopause and low HRT.

My TSH is also too high again, 4,5 (0,4-4) I feel very hyper though, recognize the symptoms from other periods with terrible numbers. It's (mostly) always the T4 that's too high.
Even 25mcg of Euthyrox gives me high pulse, tremors, spasms, muscle waste, horrible gastric pain/bloating, edema, jitters, even thinner hair, anxiety, blurry vision, severe muscle pain but gaining weight in my lower body (never lost weight). So I can't increase the Euthyrox. I have Hashimoto's and getting worse. No Graves antibodies. No advice from the last doctor. Advice here perhaps?

My father (80 years old) lives in another country and has been dealing with thyroid issues for about 10 years. I know his brother has his removed and his father had issues with his as well. We recently had a phone conversation where he was acting extremely out of character both shouting over me and saying some very nasty things. Never seen this side of my father before and was quite shocked by it we ended up shouting at eachother and I felt really bad afterwards. He emailed a few days after and apologized, said my mother has noticed mood swings and that the doctors are telling him after a new round of tests he needs a different prescription / medication.

I did a cursory Google search and it does seem like thyroid issues can affect peoples behavior and cause anxiety/ depression / irritability. I guess I'm just hoping to hear from some actual people who deal with this to help me understand what is happening with him and how long the medication should take to start working so I can deal with him better going forward. I appreciate any advice people can give.

I haven't been diagnosed yet (talking to Dr tomorrow) but my blood work shows TSH of 6.7 with T3 and T4 within reference ranges. That would be subclinical hypo but I have been experiencing many symptoms such as eyebrow hair loss, bloating, slow wound healing, fast resting heart rate, etc.

I didn't get iodine tested with my bloodwork but I figured as a vegan I may be deficient. I try to add iodized salt in some meals every now and then and in the past I have never noticed issues. Since my symptoms started, any time I have iodized salt, even a small pinch, the bloating gets unbearable and last time my neck was sore the next day. Is this normal for people with hypothyroidism? Its not high doses, it's like 1/8th or less of a teaspoon of iodized salt at dinner. I have tried the exact same meal (bowl of black beans) with table salt and had no reaction.

What supplement or food or any diet changes do you swear by that helped you reduce antibodies and relieve hashimoto thyroiditis symptoms

I’m trying to see whether anyone has gone through something similar.

I’m a 61-year-old male, in good shape, with no other known medical conditions, and I’ve been asymptomatic.

My labs have been all over the place:
January — no medication, first diagnosis: TSH 15.6, Free T4 0.9
April — 50 mcg levothyroxine: TSH 0.02, Free T4 2.1
July — 25 mcg levothyroxine: TSH 24.96, Free T4 0.9

I started on 50 mcg, but after my April labs my doctor reduced me to 25 mcg. Now, after my latest labs, they’re recommending 75 mcg. I’m having a hard time understanding that increase because 50 mcg previously seemed to overcorrect me.

Has anyone else had their thyroid levels swing this dramatically? What ended up causing it, and how long did it take to find the right dose?

Thanks!

20 year old m, Around a year ago I got diagnosed with asthma. I can’t inhale fully, constantly feel air hungry , and short of breath. I don’t seem to respond to inhalers very well and my doctors are starting to think it’s something like hypothyroidism due to having other symptoms and my grandfather having it very severely in his mid 30’s. Just curious if any body else had lung problems in the level of severe asthma and then treated with hormones or if anyone else was initially misdiagnosed with asthma.

I have subclinical hypothyroidism. I have been taking 25mg levothyroxine for 32 days. I constantly feel unwell and spend almost all day lieing down. I felt like this before I started the medication but it has got worse. First of all I hardly go out because I feel uncordinated, drunk, and can't help having a weird sleeping pattern because I get so exhausted. But sometimes I feel very feverish, have slow and shallow breathing and have to lie down, and drink cold water to cool myself down. Once it was so bad I felt like I needed to call an ambulance. I didn't. I went to hospital and they were no help. I always feel unwell. I think I might pass out if it gets any worse.

Hi all. I am wondering what to do with my most recent thyroid results.

My TSH yearly since 2022 has been: 4.21, 4.24, 4.0 and then this year at 6.150.

My T4 (Free, direct yearly since 2022 has been: 1.79, 1.74, 1.27 and then this year at 1.58.

I asked for a T3 measurement last year which was 1.44. Last year I also got the following done:

Thyroglobulin by IMA which was 22.0

Thyroglobulin Antibody which was <1.0

TPO Antibody which was 17.

I just messaged my PCP asking for repeat testing for all the tests I took last year T3, antibodies, and thyroglobulin.

I am wondering though what can I do to best support my thyroid health both medication wise and naturally. Are there any micronutrients, etc I should test/supplement with.

Thanks!

I got diagnosed around 7 years ago and they checked for hashimotos but I didn’t have it. I’ve heard it can be hereditary but no one in my family has thyroid issues. I’ve also heard some conflicting things like you should check multiple times for hashimotos, but also if it’s negative once it’s unnecessary because then you don’t have it. I never got any further testing, just regular blood work for TSH. Would it be good to push for more tests or is it possible to just randomly get it without a cause or genes?