Thyroid levels slipping over time...is this normal?

[1Kel12]

Hello,

I had reached resolution of my hypo symptoms at 3 grains of Naturethroid. But over the last 2 years my numbers are slipping. I feel as normal as I know anymore and my doc is hesitant to raise me. I should mentioned I am in late peri or early meno. I am not sure what is going on and my RT3 has always been normal, and I supplements seem to be in good range (B12 etc). I am also on low dose BHRT during this last year and feel fine but I want to avoid falling into hypo again or not being optimum.

I would appreciate any feedback, I have a long road ahead and its frustrating with what seems to be a moving target.

Thank you for your time, Kel

My latest labs;
1.1 FT4 (0.8 - 1.8) ng/dL  (previous labs 1.3 then 1.2)
3.1 FT3 (2.3 - 4.2) pg/mL (previous labs 4.1 then 3.5)

B12 900 (200-1100) pg/mL
Vit D, 25-OH 46 (30-100) ng/mL
Ferritin 80 (10-200) ng/mL

[gimel]

Your question about your FT4 and FT3 levels dropping made me do some searching.   I thought I remembered seeing this info previously and it made me wonder if your BHRT might be a contributor.  

"When estrogen levels are high, the liver produces high levels of thyroid-binding globulin (TBG), a protein that binds to thyroid hormones in the blood and prevents them from being taken up by the cells."   As I understand this, it is not the level of estrogen alone, but the ratio of progesterone to estrogen that is important.   Do you think this could account for your Free  thyroid hormone levels diminishing?

[1Kel12]

My estrogen was higher in the past, it plummeted this last year (e.g. Estradiol 141 pg/ml to 40pg/ml last fall) so they started me on BHRT at the 40 level...with 0.5mg Estradiol it fell even lower to 27pg/ml as per my labs last week. They want to increase me to 1mg Estradiol now.

I do know Estradiol is not static so these are snapshots. I did start having periods again for 4 months this year so my body isn't done yet. So my thyroid seems to have gotten worse with (likely) diminishing Estradiol production. Unless perhaps I am having "bursts" of estradiol?

Ugh. This is all so interconnected and troublesome to sort out.

Thanks for your thoughts, Kel

Its counter to what I understood as well.  

[gimel]

The most important question for a hypothyroid patient is always, How do you feel?   If you feel well, then your levels are adequate.  If you don't feel your best, then your levels are a bit lower than  needed.  Since your FT4/FT3 numbers have dropped over the last two years, why is the doctor reluctant to increase your dosage.  Dosage is irrelevant, only the physiological effects are important.   Seems the doctor should be wiling to get your FT4/FT3 back to prior levels.

Also your D is  a bit lower than recommended, which is 50 minimum.  Your B12 is adequate, but your ferritin should be at least 100.  

Have you ever been tested for cortisol?

[1Kel12]

Hi Gimel,

I've checked cortisol 2x and it has always been normal so I hesitate to chase that down again. My insurance doesn't cover etc.

My B12/ferritin were higher I can supplement a bit more.

Does anyone ever hit an NDT level and stabilize? Like I said it feels like a moving target.

I feel ok but I went through this before only to realize I could feel better.