Weird blood test results. On T3 only.

[Numberone1]

Not sure whether I need to pursue this but have had interesting blood test results while taking only T3.

My T4 is very low which is okay because of the T3 only dosage. My T3 is mid range. However my TSH is high at 8 (range 0.5 to 4.5)

Somebody has mentioned that this could be a pituitary problem and I must admit its somelthing Ive often wondered about.

Im not sure whether anyone on here has had a pituitary problem and what the cure is (not sure I fancy brain surgery).

Can anyone direct me towards any links?

[PR4NOW]

Numberone1, this might be some help. Paul Robinson has written some blogs about test results on T3. On the right hand side under 'TAGS' click on, blood tests or thyroid blood tests. He talks about some of the common results you should see on T3 only. PR

recoveringwitht3.com/blog

[Marz]

Thanks PR4NOW - I will find that useful.....

[Hidden]

if T3 is only middle of the range, then it could go a bit higher... presumably your Pituitary thinks so too as it is sending out Thyrotropin! If T3 was HIGH and TSH was still elevated, then I would be more suspicious that something was going on!

What other pituitary issues do you have? Sex hormones, vasopressin etc.

The more important thing which often gets forgotten... How do you feel?

When on T3, I found mine was the opposite, it was suppressed very easily, but that's not the same for everyone.

[Numberone1]

Thank you all so far. I think Im just not taking enough T3. For about 9 months Ive been on 25mcg but I definitely feel I need some more. I didnt want to take that decision until I had my T3 tested and I have started taking a tiny bit more this week. Good re the pituitary advice. I think I agree that if the T3 was high and the TSH still a bit too high, then it would cause a problem.

Anyway, onwards and upwards. I still feel amazingly better, thank you for the Paul Robinson links, they are interesting.

How top of the range should the T3 be. Mine was 4 with an upper limit of 6.8. Should I get it to the full 6.8?

[PR4NOW in reply to Numberone1]

You also might find his book "Recovering With T3" useful along with his new handbook. He also has a CT3M and T3 forum on Facebook. On T3 only it is not uncommon to be over the top of he range. I'm on NDT and have been over the top for years and yet I feel perfectly normal. If you are doing straight T3 I really suggest his book, it is very thorough. PR

[Numberone1 in reply to PR4NOW]

Thank you. Are you saying you are over the top of the range for your T3 levels or TSH?

[PR4NOW in reply to Numberone1]

Over the top on FT3, my TSH is buried and has been for years, the combination makes doctors nervous because they think your heart will explode and your bones will turn to dust, OH MY. The TSH is not capable of fine tuning your dose, only your symptoms can tell you how you are doing. It is actually fairly common for many of us to bury the TSH. Given what you have described above it sounds like you need to slowly increase your dose until you feel 'normal'. Paul Robinson's book is a very thorough description of how to dose on T3 only and all the problems that you can run into. PR

[nobodysdriving in reply to PR4NOW]

I 'second' PR4NOW post