T3 test

[clarence2013]

Hi all!

I've had my T4 and TSH tests done and am on 125mg of thyroxine with no improvement if symptoms. The nurse told me the lab only test for T3 if there's certain antibodies present.....? Any idea what that means?!

Considering having a private T3 test to take back

[marram]

But how will they know if there are 'certain antibodies present' if they only test TSH and T4? Does this answer sound like somebody trying to blind you with science?

She would most likely be referring to Hashimoto's antibodies:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Here is information on Hashomoto's:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

The fact is that by testing only the TSH and T4 it is telling them absolutely nothing, only if you are taking enough thyroxine to raise the T4 and reduce the TSH. If they are remotely interested in why you are hypothyroid, they need to test the antibodies. And if they are remotely interested in why there is no improvement of symptoms, they need to test the T3.

Do you have the actual TSH and T4 results? If you do, please post them on here with the ranges, and someone can look at them and give you some pointers.

If they are absolutely adamant that they will not test anything else, then you would do well to do the private test.

Marie XX

[Marz in reply to marram]

...it never ceases to amaze me that with Hashimotos being the most common thyroid condition in the world - that they continue to ignore anti-body testing if the TSH is in range. Both hubby and I have Hashimotos - it must be catching ! - anti-bodies tested well above range - TFT's all within range. In the UK we would be both struggling with retirement and thinking it was our age....WRONG !!

Fortunately we are in Crete and they still practice medicine as an art. The genes of Hippocraates no doubt !!