My recent results from blue horizon, are they ok?.doc says ft4 could signify excess thyroxine...

[ianessex]

Hi recently had my thyroid levels checked by blue horizon the results are as follows:

Tsh 0.9 (0.27 _ 4.2)

Ft4 22.8 ( 14_ 22 )

Ft3 5.5 (3.1 _6.8)

They were referred to their doc cos of the ft4 being above range, he reported that i could poss be on to much thyroxine and to see my doc, although my understanding is it's ok to be slightly over range as long as t3 is ok which it obviously is,, but I'd like to make sure as i already have existing low bone density in places and am concerned i don't want to exacerbate the problem. I'm currently on 75mcg and been so for 3 months since increase from 50s, been hypo 3 years .Many thanks in advance ! Ian

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

How long between taking your last dose of levothyroxine and having the blood drawn?

If not long, that could easily account for the FT4 being over-range.

Rod

[ianessex in reply to helvella]

Hi rod,,, took dose in morning, did test mid afternoon, bout 8 hours gap I'd say,,

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to ianessex]

If you feel you want to stay where you are, then maybe defer the dose until you have had the blood drawn? Then catch up with it.

At eight hours, maybe it would not have had that much impact, but at shorter periods (e.g. four hours), the blood test reflects the surge of FT4 that occurs from taking the tablet rather than the more typical "average" value.

Rod

[ianessex in reply to helvella]

That's why i did leave it longer,,, I'm finding i get breathless going up stairs and on extreme exertion, I'm keeping eye in that as might just be temp, I'm glad i took my doc advice not to increase after 6 weeks as within last month, the tsh has dropped more than i expected..

[RedApple Administrator in reply to ianessex]

If you think you might be on slightly too much thyroxine, you could always try alternating 75mcg one day and 50mcg the next. Fine tuning may be the answer

[RedApple Administrator]

If those were my results, I would not be at all concerned. If I recall correctly, there is no evidence to connect decreased bone density with excess thyroxine.

Anthony Toft, the author of the BMA book on thyroid disorders wrote this:

There is considerable debate about the correct dose of thyroxine. The consensus is that enough should be given to ensure that levels of T4 in the blood are at the upper limit of normal or slightly elevated and those of TSH at the lower limit of normal, or in some patients undetectable.

So if you feel good on that dose, stick with it!

[ianessex in reply to RedApple]

The general feeling is that my eyes look more alert and brighter, i have more zest and my moods are better,, energy !? Yeah suppose it's better ,,,

[Jackie]

Hi How do you feel. Usually considered best to have T4 in top third of range and FT3 near the top.You may do better to have just a little T3 and little less T4 on a script. That is the preferred option of good Endos.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[ianessex in reply to Jackie]

hi jackie,,, i def feel much better than when i was low dose. i can see yourpoint about less t4 and bit of t3 but i think as long as my levels are not hyper and safe then ill prob leave it as is,,, that was my main query really, whether it is indeed ok and safe..

[Jackie in reply to ianessex]

Glad you are feeling better as important.

Jackie

[Muffy]

Your FT3 is fine, so Dr Toft would agree with that.

British Medical Association book, Family Doctor Guide to Thyroid Disorders,

by Dr. Anthony Toft ( past physician to the Queen) where he states,

In the paragraph, Thyroid Blood Tests, Dr. Toft states that, " Typical results would be FT4 24 pmol/l and TSH of 0.2. In some patients a sense of well-being is achieved only when FT4 is raised, e.g. 30 pmol/l and TSH is low or undetectable. In this circumstance, it is essential that the T3 level in the blood is unequivocally normal in order to avoid hyperthyroidism."

[ianessex in reply to Muffy]

Many thanks,, much appreciated !