Been on Levo 100 mg for three months now, bloods are in ' normal range' , but still very tired. When monthly cycle starts I'm totally exhausted, in bed by 7pm wiped out. I'm up some days down others. I have asked GP for T3 test, she has agreed, I know it's expensive and I hope I'm not wasting NHS money. My GP has been vey good to me over the years.
Is it worth doing ? Why is it advisable ? Thanks in advance.
Written by
123happy
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...in my non-medical opinion I think it is worth having the test. I was diagnosed in 2005 and every blood test thereafter, here in Crete, the TFT's included TSH FT4 and FT3. After seven years I created a spread sheet which illustrated that my FT3 was always low in the range and the FT4 not high enough either ( all learnt on this forum ! )
I was able to show the GP that I was not converting T4 into T3 and she immediately prescribed T3. T3 is the most ACTIVE thyroid hormone and needed in every cell of our body for a healthy metabolism and OPTIMAL health.
You may also request the Anti-TPO to be tested too - in case you have the Auto-immune thyroid condition. It is after all the most common thyroid illness....possibly starting with gut issues ?
I have had the Anti bodies test and I came out high. Don't understand the results, but the comment was, found in Graves' disease and Hashimoto's. the way you explain the T3. Test to a dummy like me has been very helpful. My GP proberbly knows what I'm driving at, ( lol) I would like it balanced as soon as, as do we all, but beginning to see its jut not that simple. I'm now working on a spread sheet principle. I'm moving house and who knows who my GP will be. So I have to have all the info to argue my case for the best possible treatment. I'm not prepared to go down the cheap route. !!!!!!!! Thanks s o much xxx
Hi Bloods tests, at the same time, should be a minimum of TSH, T4 and Free T3, vital results always with ranges., receptionist for print out. If you do not feel right, it should show the problem. Normally we need T4 in top third of range and Free T3 near the top to feel right. Also you need the other autoimmune and hormonal test,s, similar symptoms and vital for thyroid, vit D ( if low, corrected calcium test before any treatment), Diabetes, B12 + Foliates and iron/ ferritin, last 2 need to be well in range. These should be done annually with thyroid disease, irrespective of anything else.Iron or B12 could account for the problem at the time of the month.
Best wishes,
Jackie
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My iron is fine, had original test for Anemia, that's how thyroid problem was stumbled on, my practice are reluctant to do T3, had the others, the antibodies was high, vit D is fine, I backed my GP Into a corner for T3 as I'm still not feeling right, is it normal to feel like this at time of month? Periods have been heavy, since they started again. They stopped for a while. I have a print out for my bloods when I have a test. This forum is fantastic, as I'm now gathering info and she said, ' been reading haven't you ' too right. It's like studying for a chemistry exam ! Thank you for your reply and everyone's help xx
Hi Have you had a re test? Also is it high in range, GP`s only treat below 10. too low! Also B12 pernitious ( sorry dyslexic) anaemia , must be high in range. Both totally different.Yes you have to study hard, but actually worse for say cardiac disease,Also remember Gp`s are often really ignorant about thyroid disease, very complicated, they think because common, simple. So, if you do not improve, and feel Ok, research a GOOD Endo and ask, even insist for a referral. However, make sure it is your choice, Not GP`s.
Hi Jackie, Im going through menopause and my monthly cycle (6 monthly I think!) has left me totally wiped out, I slept for 12 hours Thursday night!! I have had T3 and T4 results quite recently and they were OK so Im not sure why this is? I also find that when Im ill It's as if Im not taking any Levo?!
Sorry this doesn't really help you :(......but you are not alone
I'm not sure what it will show, but you have to try don't you. I don't understand, that I'm in Normal Range and I feel so tired, hot dry eyes, and very constipated. I don't remember feeling like this when I was Normal ! ( that was a while ago, ahh the days ).
Sounds too familiar! My optician even commented on the dry eyes and write a prescription. Skin dry too so many symptoms but all the doctors care about is tsh. I'm going to see my finances for this month and hopefully pay to get the tests done myself should be very interesting to see results
I once mentioned constipation and was told eat more veg. I do eat lots of veg! That problem went away tho
Honestly, they think you don't know how you feel inside ! I'm lucky my GP is one of the few who want to help and listen, she takes me seriously, hence the T3 test. I'm hoping to work through this to a satisfactory conclusion. I'm hoping to move, I will miss her.
I don't see how the justify refusing people tests, they don't know how you feel, I'm tired of being tired ! The T3 it seems can sometimes show we are not converting T4 efficiently into what we need, hence the low symptoms when ' normal range' whatever that it. This is what I aim to find out, then I will try and pin her down to medicating me more efficiently. That's my theory. I'm like a terrier, I'm only going to get one set of internal organs and I need to look after them, that's my argument. I have a lot of years left in me and I intend to enjoy them. My son is only 9 I need to be there for him xx
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