I have low TSH levels with high antibody levels, pls help

[rebecca910]

I have been taking 150 mcg levothyroxine from past 6 months. I was gaining weight (I exercise for at least 30 mins a day and eat a diet with less than 1200 cals a day.... and still gained 10 lbs in 3 months) and has several symptoms of  hypothyroidism like hair fall, tiredness, sleepiness, cold sensitivity, etc...
One month ago my blood test showed very low TSH level (.07 mIU/L) and high THYROID PEROXIDASE AB level (1035 IU/mL). I was told I have Hashimoto's. Since TSH was low Dr reduced the levothyroxine dosage to 125 mcg. After that I have been gaining more weight and feels worse.
Can someone please suggest on how to go forward?

[rebecca910]

Thank you very much !
I have never been tested for Free T3 and Vitamin A, D, B12 and ferritin. I will have them tested and will post the results. However I have the following test results.
TRIGLYCERIDES 70 mg/dL
T4, FREE 1.20 ng/dL

Thanks again!

[gimel]

Your doctor does not understand that many hypo patients taking thyroid meds find that their TSH becomes suppressed, so they want to reduce meds, because according to the "Immaculate TSH Belief" you have become hyper.  You are not really hyper unless you do have hyper symptom due to excessive levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4.  

Have you even been tested for Free T3 and Free T4, or only TSH?  If tested, please post those test results and reference ranges also.  

So by wrongly reducing your meds, the doctor has caused your hypo symptoms to increase.  Likely you were having hypo symptoms all along due to inadequately converting the T4 med to T3.  Free T3 is the most important thyroid hormone because Free T3 largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions.  Scientific studies have also shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate at all.  Many of our members, myself included, say that symptom relief required that Free T3 was adjusted into the upper third of its range and free T4 adjusted to around the middle of its range.

A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms without being constrained by suppressed TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.  You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with from a distance after an initial personal evaluation and testing.  The letter is then sent to the PCP of the patient to help guide treatment.

http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf

In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."


I suggest that you should go back and request to be tested for Free T3 and Free T4, along with TSH that they always seem to test.  If the doctor resists, you should insist on it and don't take no for an answer.  Also would be good to test for Vitamin A, D, B12 and ferritin.  When test results are available, please post results and reference ranges shown on the lab report and members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.

Be aware that based on info given to date, you may need to find a good thyroid doctor.