results advice please

[Frillsandpink]

Hi all

Please can i have some advice on my recent results.

I take 75mg levothyroxine via GP.

Is my FT3 still low? Do i need to try and source some T3 to take alongside my levo?

Are my results optimal?

FT3

3.7 pmol/L

FT3 levels normal (normal range 3.1 - 6.8 pmol/L)

FT4

23.2 pmol/L

FT4 levels high (normal range 12 - 22 pmol/L)

TSH

0.21 mu/L

TSH levels low (normal range 0.27 - 4.2 mU/L)

My TPO antibodies are normal as well as my vitamin levels.

Thanks in advance

Joanie

[RedApple Administrator]

Frillsandpink, FT4 is above range, when was your last dose of levo before the blood draw?

[Frillsandpink in reply to RedApple]

48hrs before blood taken

[greygoose]

Yes, your FT3 is still very low. And your FT4 very high. And if you left 48 hours between your last dose of levo and the blood draw, then it is actually higher even than that.

So, next question: do you have Hashi's?

I know you say your antibodies are 'normal', but you cannot rule out Hashi's on the basis of one negative blood test because they fluctuate a lot. So, have you had more than one antibody test? And did they test both TPO and Tg antibodies?

To have an FT4 that high on only 75 mcg levo does rather suggest that you do have Hashi's, because that's only a small dose. And even though you're hardly converting any of it to T3, it would appear to be higher than what you're actually taking. So, where is it coming from? Not all Hashi's people ever have over-range antibody levels, and are diagnosed by ultrasound. Have you ever had an ultrasound of your thyroid?

There's no such thing as 'normal' nutrient levels. There's optimal, and there's sub-optimal, and there's over the top. To know which catagory yours fall under, we need to see the numbers: results AND ranges. All nutrients need to be optimal for your body to be able to use the hormone you're giving it.

NB when a doctor says a result is 'normal', all he means is that it is somewhere within the range. That does not mean that it is optimal, nor even good, nor that it is the right level for you. So, it's a word best avoided because it doesn't mean anything.

[Frillsandpink in reply to greygoose]

Thanks a lot for your response.

My TP0 is 9 iu/ml and was the same in october of last year which they stated was negative.

I have never had a scan of my thyroid. I will do this if it is needed but will have to go private. I also dont want to give my GP these results as he will lower my levo back to 50.

I really don't know what to do next or what to think? Or what is best?

I have severe constipation, anxiety, tiredness and low mood but dont know if these symptoms are linked.

What should i do next?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Frillsandpink]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies

you will need to test TG antibodies privately as NHS will only test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are high

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Paul Robson on atrophied thyroid - especially if no TPO antibodies

paulrobinsonthyroid.com/cou...

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

if you left 48 hours that’s too long

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

Can you add actual vitamin results and ranges

[greygoose in reply to Frillsandpink]

Well, you could answer my question about nutrients and let us have a look. Then, get Tg antibodies tested. You need to know if you have Hashi's.

severe constipation, anxiety, tiredness and low mood

All hypo symptoms.