File this under, "I'm An Idiot!"

[Rusty11]

Hello. I've posted my BW a couple of times and gotten great info/feedback. It's always appreciated.

I'll keep this short...

I'm just going to list a few hormones for the sake of brevity...

BW done at end of October:
Total Test 441.....range: 175-781ng/dl
Free Test NOT DONE
Estradiol 49...range <=39 pg/mL
SHBG 39...range 10-50 nmol/L
TSH 3.46...range .30-3.00mcU/mL
Free T4 .87...range .58-1.64ng/dL

I had radiactive iodine treatment 10 years ago, so no thyroid and taking .88mcg levoxyl. I've been hovering at these ranges, consistently, throughout those years. Yes, some will say this is high (hypo), but numerous dosages have been tried and I always feel/look best at this level. No fat or any other symptom of being hypo.

Here's where it gets interesting...

BW done November 10: same lab, same ranges
Total Test 589.....range: 175-781ng/dl
*thats a nice increase and I'm feeling good (2 pks Testim/day)

Free Test 87.6...range 35-155pg/mL

Estradiol 24...range <=39 pg/mL
Started Taking 100mg of DIM for past two months. Obviously, it's lowering the estrogen. I've honestly seen a bit more muscle/abs. However, libido is taking a slight hit, so I'm stopping that one. Maybe it's too low (for me). I know, I know, it's not the sensitive assay, but this was done by the doc and it, at least, gives me some comparison. I'll get it done, privately, in the near future.

SHBG 36...range 10-50 nmol/L
*is down three points good?
Free T4 .78...range .58-1.64ng/dL


TSH 8.96...range .30-3.00mcU/mL
Yea, so here's the issue, the reason I'm an idiot. I've been reading about the benefits of vitamin D3. In August, my reading was 47. So, I thought I take it and see what happened. Since I'm taking levoxyl, i'm careful about waiting 30 mins or so to eat cereal or take other things with calcium. But, here I was every morning taking 5-6000iu of vitamin D3 with my pill in the morning. The interaction never even crossed my mind. So, even I have to admit that I'm an idiot. I should have thought of that. Now, I see my doctor in a couple of weeks and I'll discuss this with him. He's going to say wtf when he sees that number. As of today, I've stopped taking DIM and D3. I assume my level will go down in a few weeks. I'm not certain that this is the cause of the high TSH level, but I'm pretty sure. Thanks, just wanted to let everyone know what "not to do".
russ

edit: btw, I'm 51 years old. Been on HRT for about 6 months with a starting point of 209 T level.

[xtitan1]

taking .88mcg levoxyl. I've been hovering at these ranges, consistently, throughout those years. Yes, some will say this is high (hypo), but numerous dosages have been tried and I always feel/look best at this level. No fat or any other

J/C but I assume you mean 88 mcg of levoxyl not .88 mcg which they don't make. Also, 88 mcg is not really that high. My grandma takes 112 and I was on 125 until I switched to Armour.

TSH 8.96...range .30-3.00mcU/mL
Yea, so here's the issue, the reason I'm an idiot. I've been reading about the benefits of vitamin D3. In August, my reading was 47. So, I thought I take it and see what happened. Since I'm taking levoxyl, i'm careful about waiting 30 mins or so to eat cereal or take other things with calcium. But, here I was every morning taking 5-6000iu of vitamin D3 with my pill in the morning. The interaction never even crossed my mind. So, even I have to admit that I'm an idiot. I should have thought of that. Now, I see my doctor in a couple of weeks and I'll discuss this with him. He's going to say wtf when he sees that number. As of today, I've stopped taking DIM and D3. I assume my level will go down in a few weeks. I'm not certain that this is the cause of the high TSH level, but I'm pretty sure. Thanks, just wanted to let everyone know what "not to do".

Calcium and iron affect thyroid medication absorption, but I've never heard of Vitamin D3 totally by itself doing anything but help low thyroid symptoms. It is also not recognized as having any drug interactions with Levoxyl: http://www.drugs.com/pro/levoxyl.htm...actions_id_s28 (you will notice calcium IS listed there).

Here is one of many articles on the subject of why Vitamin D is especially important to people with underactive thyroids: http://thyroid.about.com/b/2010/09/3...nt-thyroid.htm

Many calcium supplements come with D3 also in them because it aids in calcium absorption, and you should avoid taking the two near each other (at least a couple of hours apart), but that again is because of the calcium, not the D3. I think it's fine to take D3 at the same time as Levoxyl, but if you still feel uncomfortable doing that, just take it several hours later and you're good. It's important for general health that you are not Vitamin D deficient so I wouldn't cease supplementation completely if you are deficient.

Why the big difference between the two labs when they are the same labs and so close together in time? I'm not sure but I would need to see further evidence than this to be convinced it was the D3 causing it.

[Rusty11]

First off...thanks for the reply.
Second. I mistyped the date of the first BW. It was Sept 20. So, about two months between BW.
Third, I've read that taking anything with calcium at the same time as your levoxyl may inhibit its absorption. And, D3 encourages the absorption and metabolism of calcium. So, that's not a good combo.

All I know is that I've been at nearly identical TSH levels for over 15 years. Two months ago, I started taking DIM, D3 and a new multivitamin (it has calcium and iron in it) at the same time, or shortly thereafter, as my levoxyl. Unless it's a false TSH level reading. One of those supps must account for the sudden huge change. I'm stopping them all to see what happens...Unless, an MRI might uncover something. I'm scheduled for one in a couple of weeks.
Anyway, thanks again.

Edit: Thanks for the links.
I'm not saying that I'm correct with my assumptions (don't want to sound like an arrogant ass). It's just hard to have such a sudden change and not attribute it to one of those supps. And, you're right, I shouldn't stop the d3...maybe seperate it by several hours. But, the DIM, I'm probably done with that. At least i know it works if estrogen gets high.

[xtitan1]

WHOA WHOA WHOA you never said you were taking calcium at the same time as Levoxyl, in fact you said the opposite! That's your problem right there brutha! Although you seem to have already known that? I'm so confused. Also, while D3 does increase the absorption of calcium, if you don't take calcium at the time you are taking your Levoxyl, then it doesn't matter. Just take the multivitamin with the calcium in it later in the day. I'm in the exact same predicament. I take D3 and my thyroid medication upon wake, and then wait 4 hours and take my multi, zinc, and krill oil.

[Rusty11]

WHOA WHOA WHOA you never said you were taking calcium at the same time as Levoxyl, in fact you said the opposite! That's your problem right there brutha! Although you seem to have already known that? I'm so confused. Also, while D3 does increase the absorption of calcium, if you don't take calcium at the time you are taking your Levoxyl, then it doesn't matter. Just take the multivitamin with the calcium in it later in the day. I'm in the exact same predicament. I take D3 and my thyroid medication upon wake, and then wait 4 hours and take my multi, zinc, and krill oil.

Then what would cause such a huge increase in tsh? Now, Im confused. What i was trying to say is that i take the d3, dim, and multi at the same time as the levoxyl. Then wait about 30 mins to eat. Something is weird here. Thanks again. Sorry Im not being clear!

[xtitan1]

Rusty, taking calcium at the same time as Levoxyl will prevent the Levoxyl from being absorbed by your body. Therefore your body will not have adequate amounts of T4, and your pituitary, in response, will release more TSH thinking it will have the thyroid gland produce more T4 and bring your levels up. Of course, you don't have a thyroid gland anymore but your pituitary doesn't know that. It just knows when it sees a lack of T4 it should release more TSH. Take your calcium 4 hours later than Levoxyl and you should be good. Your OP just made it sound like you were saying people taking thyroid medication shouldn't take D3, when in fact most agree the opposite is true.

Calcium + Levoxyl at the same time = bad
D3 + Levoxyl at the same time = fine

[Rusty11]

Ok. Got it. Then, one more time i gotta ask: what would cause such an increaseo in tsh within two months? It must be the DIM (ive read this interacts strangely with many things) or the multi with iron that i started.taking about the same time. My old multi didn't have iron in it. Anyway, i feel great. You'd think I'd be totally lethargic with a level like that.

[xtitan1]

what would cause such an increaseo in tsh within two months?

Taking calcium at the same time as Levoxyl during that period