Hi just paid to get thyroid test TSH 2.01 free thyroxine 15.8 free t3 4.0 antibody 35 why do I feel so tired please help x

[audb70]

[Hidden]

Hi what are the lab ranges.

[audb70 in reply to Hidden]

TSH 0.4-4.0 free thyroxine 9.8-18.8 free t3 3.3-6.1 thyroid antibody 0-100

[PinkNinja in reply to audb70]

Your T3 is low in range which is probably at least part of the reason. This could be due to several different things.

If you can, ask your GP to test iron, ferritin, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. If your ferritin is below 70, and your B12 is below 500 and the others are below rang then you would possibly benefit from supplementing those things.

Are you diagnosed with a thyroid problem and are you taking medication. If so you are possibly not on enough.

Carolyn x

[audb70 in reply to PinkNinja]

Hi I've been hypo for nearly 13 yrs on 150 mcg thyroxine. Had to pay to get these tests done as they only do basic TSH asked to get reverse t3 done but they said they don't do it. Thanks for any help you can give x

[PinkNinja in reply to audb70]

Ah OK. That makes sense.

Although your results look normal, they are probably not optimal for you. Many people feel best on Thyroxine when their TSH is at the bottom end of the range, often less than 1. They also often need their t4 to be near the top of the range or even slightly over. An increase in dose may be all it takes to make you feel well again.

As your T3 is quite low in range it might be worth getting the other tests done that I mentioned above. Although this might be rectified with an increase in thyroxine dose, if the above tests are below optimal ranges you won't convert thyroxine to t3 as well as you should.

I hope that helps.

Carolyn x

[audb70 in reply to PinkNinja]

Went to my doctors & they have tested me for everything you advised me on. Go back Friday for results. Thanks for all your help x

[Clutter]

In addition to the blood tests Carolyn advised, ask your GP whether s/he will prescribe you a trial of 20mcg T3 in addition to your Levothyroxine. Your FT3 needs to be higher. I felt desperately ill when mine was bumping along just under range.

[audb70]

Thank you so much, my doctors just make me feel that it's all in my head. I went to an endo who told me that it was probably post natal depression I had when I was 1st diagnosed. I thought it was athritist x

[shaws Administrator]

This is an extract from an article by Dr Toft, ex of the BTA. You will see from this that your TSH is high. If you wish to have a copy of the article in Pulse Online, email [e-mail]. I would send a copy to your GP with a note before your next appointment. Maybe ask for some T3.

6 What is the correct dose of thyroxine and is there any rationale for adding in tri-iodothyronine?

The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range – 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.

But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This ‘exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism’ is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l).

Even while taking the slightly higher dose of levothyroxine a handful of patients continue to complain that a sense of wellbeing has not been restored. A trial of levothyroxine and tri-iodothyronine is not unreasonable. The dose of levothyroxine should be reduced by 50µg daily and tri iodothyronine in a dose of 10µg (half a tablet) daily added.

[audb70 in reply to shaws]

Thanks again, I'm so glad to have found this site x

[Jackie]

If the FT3 and common ranges/ that is far too low. Most FT3 ranges are below 6., but lots differ. A lot of us need fT3 near the top of range, but not over!

Best wishes,

Jackie

[audb70]

Thanks going to make an app on Monday. Wish me luck x