Does a T3 blood test give a true reading or not ? - Thyroid UK

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Does a T3 blood test give a true reading or not ?

Coastwalker profile image
17 Replies

If you have Fibromyalgia/ CF symptoms and have a blood test for T3 could the test result still come back showing as normal even though you are not feeling normal. (same as other bloods that don't give the true/correct readings) ?

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Coastwalker profile image
Coastwalker
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17 Replies
puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle

By 'normal' do you mean it was within range? A lot of people feel pretty bad if it is low in the range. Do you have your results or have they just told you it's normal?

Coastwalker profile image
Coastwalker in reply topuncturedbicycle

Hi Puncturedbicycle, Doc said Hubby's T3 was within range. It was T3 = 4.2 (2.5 - 5.7)

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toCoastwalker

T3 looks pretty good ! M x

Coastwalker profile image
Coastwalker in reply toMarz

That's why we wondered if it was more of a B12 problem, or even a bit of both. Doing a post up soon. :) X

Marz profile image
Marz

...I think you know there is no such thing as normal :-) In range it may be but that is not good enough. FT3 needs to be at least in the upper third of the range. I have seen loads of blood test results here in Crete - some on thyroid medication and some not - everyone seems to have LOW T3. There is certainly something going on with conversion of T4 into the T3 When we learn from this forum how important Iron folate B12 Ferritin & VitD are and we know most people are not near the TOP of the ranges it does make you think....diet has to be important here.

Often read about Low T3 syndrome too - perhaps it's on its way into mainstream medicine. Really need to see all the results to understand the bigger picture. Anti-bodies ? were they tested - results ?

One important thing to remember is that the blood test is a snapshot - and also the FT3 test can show an inaccuracy of up to 50% I believe - either way. So it is important to consider it along with the other results....

More info please Coastwalker .....

M x

jjlily profile image
jjlily in reply toMarz

Hi Marz

Can you tell me please if there are any research papers that say that T3 should be in top quarter of range.Thanks Jill

Marz profile image
Marz in reply tojjlily

Am sure someone will come along and tell you where to find research papers. I have just learnt from this forum that time and time again people say FT3 needs to be towards the top of the range....the upper third. Type FT3 blood test results into the Search box on the Green Bar above and see what comes up....it's bedtime here in Crete - will have a scout around in the morning and see what I come up with..... :-)

Coastwalker profile image
Coastwalker in reply toMarz

Thank Q Marz. X I'm going to start making some 'at a glance' charts up as there is so much to remember, you always think you will remember it, but if you don't use it you loose it, same goes for writing it down on paper, I have so much bits of paper hanging around with important bits of thyroid info on, but try locating that important piece and it's gone :O :)

X

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toCoastwalker

Sounds oh so familiar !! M x

Coastwalker profile image
Coastwalker in reply toMarz

Have done my Posting up on Husband's bloods Marz, some are old results, but with the T3 added in, still so unsure of what it is and how to treat him as he has such similar problems as myself, so close, yet so far. :(

Coastwalker profile image
Coastwalker in reply toMarz

More info on it's way Marz, will do a post up. :) Yes should have remembered that little voice in my head telling me 'Marz says, no such thing as normal' ;)

:O 50% either way is not a very reassuring. :(

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toCoastwalker

..UP to 50% - so it may be only 20% out - on small figures it ain't a lot ! :-)

Marz profile image
Marz

web.archive.org/web/2010122...

web.archive.org/web/2011041...

Hope these help too !

Coastwalker profile image
Coastwalker in reply toMarz

Thanks Marz, have read :) Have you changed your Username Icon ? It looks different ?

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toCoastwalker

No I don't think so ! M x

Coastwalker profile image
Coastwalker in reply toMarz

Needed it clarified ;) X

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toCoastwalker

:-)

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