Blood Test Results, can someone please help.

[lucylocks]

Hi

I am due to have my blood test next week at the Doctors after increasing my Levothyroxine from 75mcg to 100mcg. I received my results from Blue Horizon on Thursday

TSH 0.49 (range 0.27 - 4.2) Free thyroxine 20.1 (range 12.0 - 22.0) Free T3 3.7 (range 3.1 - 6.8) I know if the TSH is the same when the G.P. does the test they will want to lower my dose of Levo as they have said plenty of times they do not like it below 1.0 if this is the case do I insist on keeping at the current dose as I do feel better on it or ask for T3 to take with the lower dose of levo as I think the FT 3 is still on the low side. Also can anyone tell me if my TSH level is now too low and is dangerous with my T3 in the low range as I thought I had read

somewhere if TSH is in low range FT 3 has too be in high range

Many thanks browny

[PinkNinja]

If you are on thyroxine (or any thyroid hormone replacement, for that matter) your TSH should be below 1! Dr Toft, former chair of the British Thyroid Association, states this in his book "Understanding Thyroid Disorders" which is published in association with the BMA so should be a trusted source for your GP.

There has also been recent research that shows that TSH is not representative of thyroid hormone levels in hypothyroid patients.

You want to be aiming for your T3 in the upper half of the range. It is not dangerous for your TSH to be below range, or even for your T4 to be above range in some cases, provided that your T3 is within range and you have no symptoms of being hyper. This is something else Dr Toft states in his book. This guy is at least partly responsible for the current thyroid treatment guidelines so your doctor should listen to what he says in his book.

I hope that helps a little.

Carolyn x

[lucylocks in reply to PinkNinja]

Thanks Carolyn

Yes it does help but do you think I need to ask for T3 along with the levo or will another increase of levo push my T3 to a higher level

Regards browny

[PinkNinja in reply to lucylocks]

It depends. Everyone is different. Many people do find once they are on a high enough dose of levo they feel fine. Unfortunately a few people do need some T3. You may be one of them but it would be a good idea to try the levo first. You could have a battle on your hands trying to get T3 prescribed.

[lucylocks in reply to PinkNinja]

Thanks Carolyn

[bantam12]

Not everybody does well with a TSH below 1, personally I have to have my TSH between 1 & 2 and T4, T3 mid range and my husband who is also hypo is the same.

[PinkNinja in reply to bantam12]

Sorry, I should have said "in many cases". You are quite right that not everyone does well with a TSH that low. Thanks for pointing it out

[lucylocks in reply to bantam12]

Thanks for your reply

[Heloise in reply to bantam12]

But his T3 is not in mid range, right?

[mitchell66]

Maybe you could try some selenium which helps convert T4 to T3. I defo wouldn't lower dose if you are feeling better x

[greygoose]

With your T4 that high and your T3 that low, I would say you have a convertion problem, so adding T3 to your T4 will no doubt help.

But be warned, if they agree to that, the T3 will almost certainly suppress your TSH. This in itself is not a problem but it scares the knickers off most doctors and they will probably want to stop the T3 again. It's so difficult to educate them!

Hugs, Grey

[Stourie]

If your labs range is .27 - 4.4 how can they possibly object to your tsh of .49. It is in range so don.t reduce. The doctors are supposed to work with you to get you feeling good.

Jo xx

[Heloise]

Your T3 is low so I would try for whatever you can get on that basis. I would even try self administration if they try to reduce your levo.

[lucylocks in reply to Heloise]

Thankyou everyone for your helpful replies