Dear Cath,
Please post your thyroid labs (TSH, FREE T3, FREE T4, any antibody tests, even the obsolete Total T4, T3, etc. ) To make it easy to read, you might post like this :
TSH ** (.40 - 4.5 ) or whatever range your lab uses
FREE T3 ** ( ***-*****) "
FREE T4 ** (****-*****) "
Have you studied your metabolic panel ? Of interest are your cholesterol levels including HDL and LDL, your calcium, potassium, glucose, creatinine and eGfr levels, and ferritin, iron, and TIBC levels. Leptin is also of interest. Have you noticed a change in any of these levels since you've been feeling unwell ? Has thyroid medication changed them in any way ? Has your bone density changed ? Has your doctor tested your Vitamin D or B12 levels, or magnesium ? Have you any signs of pernicious anemia ? Have any of the elements in your panel changed in comparison to older tests ? Abnormalities in these can often indicate that your thyroid isn't working properly and your doctor should be monitoring them. Has he felt your neck or otherwise tested for an enlarged thyroid gland? What symptoms other than weight gain are you experiencing ? How is your blood pressure ? What is your body temperature, both when you awake and throughout the day ? As you can see, diagnosing the problem with thyroid is a complicated business, as it so profoundly regulates the way your body functions !
I am surprised that the insert in your medication states that 50mcg is a limit for people over 50. Really the limitation can only be determined by the amount of circulating hormone available for use in your bloodstream. This is determined by your FREE T3 and T4 tests, and is very individual regardless of age.
I am surprised that you say your thyroid isn't producing enough iodine. Is this something for which you have been tested ? Iodine, iron, and excess soy can bind thyroid hormones and it is inadvisable to supplement until you know what is causing your problem. For most, the iodine found in table salt is adequate.
If you can give us more information, we will try to help you. In the meantime, there is a lot of helpful information that you can read if you go to the top right of this page and click on "Health pages".
Please post whatever thyroid test results and reference range data that you have, so that members can assess the adequacy of your testing and treatment.