Advice needed please -When do I have blood test on T3 and would a small amount of T4 have affected TSH.

[jjlily]

Had follow up with consultant on 19/7/13.

I have been taking 20 mcg of T3 split in to 3 doses. I have built it up slowly over a month so have only been on the full 20 mcg for a week. I didn't take my dose that morning as I thought he would want me to have blood test.However he wants me to have the tests 5 hours after the last dose. I tried arguing that it would skew the results but he wouldn't have any of it.So what do I do advice needed please.The earliest I can have a blood draw is 9 am.He thinks I am taking in 2 doses- morning and late afternoon.

Qick recap

21/1/13 FT4-10.8

TSH 9.4 [0.35-5.50]

Between 21/1/13 and 18/6/13 I took T4 at 25 mcg every day for 2 weeks

25mcg every other day for 2 weeks

12.5 mcg every day for 2 weeks

I took my last dose of T4 on the 30/5/13

My results 18/6/13 were FT4 11.8

TSH 5.3

Would this small dose of T4 have had this effect on my levels? He argued that I must have had a non thyroidal illness and will not give me any increase in T3.saying 20 mcg is quite a large dose.

What do you guys think please

Many thanks for your help

Jill

[tegz]

I can't comment on your dosage usefully, Jill- but your time line is a bit skewed.

There are differing dates for your last T4 dose, as well. Others may find this confusing before they can answer.

Was that a build up or a run down process?

Also- your GP seems to be attending to your needs quite well- why not go along with it for now while he establishes a safe regime for you and any other issue that may be running.

[jill258]

Hi, My endo, told me not to take meds on the morning of blood test and to have the test as early as possible in the morning. I am also on t.3, 20mgs a day (split over 3 doses) + 50mcg of thyroxine a day. I was also told that my T.3 couldn't be put up as he didn't want to poison me. Not sure if he was being over dramatic. Funny enough my FT3 levels haven't risen since the introduction of T.3 but alot of the symptoms have got alot better or even disappeared. My FT4 has come down though from around 19 to last week test being 9.8. Not sure this is ideal. My TSH is 0.11 though so at the lower end .

[tegz in reply to jill258]

General case, well stressed here, is that blood levels don't accurately indicate tissue status or state of wellbeing. Though they may sometiimes!

From what I know about tricky T4- it can become ReverseT3 and cause problems.

This may what is clearing- but RT3 tests are not cheap..

Maybe you could ask for this extra test to clarify your situation.

You seem to be doing quite well, though.

[jjlily in reply to tegz]

The labs have difficulty processing normal T3 tests let alone reverse t3.I am thinking about having the private blood test for rt3.

I couldn't tolerate the t4 which is why I was referred to the consultant. The consultant has already said that he won't increase the t3 and I am concerned that if I have the blood test after 5 hours that he will say my t3 is too high and insist on a reduction

[tegz in reply to jjlily]

When I checked the RT3 test out privately -they looked it up[!!] and said the blood sample would have to be spun right away and then frozen before sending off to London labs. No wonder it's ~£120 a go!

I have a Dr [from the list here] lined up for T3 if needed. Not sure if T3 testing will happen then either, if I ever get there.Seems very hit and miss,as we know.

[jjlily in reply to jill258]

Thanks for your response jill258.

It sounds as if your endo knows what he is doing as to not taking meds in the morning.They do have funny ideas about T3 poisoning you.For me I felt as if it was the T4 poisoning me!!

Consultant wanted me to have a T3 test before starting T3 but labs wouldn't do it. I have now been on the full 20mcg for two weeks and am feeling some improvement, but still absolutely exhausted with no sign of swelling reducing or any weight loss.Basal temp. has increased slightly though which is a hopeful sign.

How long have you been on the T3?

Jill

[tegz in reply to jjlily]

Amazing that the all powerful 'Lab' can't do a test prior to your being given T3.

Makes me feel a bit better about having to go private to get my T3 level checked prior to UAT treatment.

I will have to do the same thing over ReverseT3 too, I reckon if things don't square off.

How GPs can work in the dark beats me- no wonder they are wary of starting people on this thyroid replacement track when they can see difficulties in patients adaptation to meds [common enough] and have to fight for decent lab resources!.

Good the T3 is helping- time needed to get the full benefit?

T4 doesn't have a good press, does it.

[jjlily in reply to jill258]

I did a reply to you jill258 but it went in the wrong place for some reason!!