when do you need to prescribed T3 please? what... - Thyroid UK
when do you need to prescribed T3 please? what should your lab results say?
If your t3 is very low, or if you don't seem to be converting (t4 looks healthy but t3 low), or even if you've been on levo for a while and your bloods look good but it doesn't seem to be making you feel better. Dr Toft said it was not unreasonable to have a trial of t3 if still symptomatic (I don't have the actual quote I'm afraid but someone else will).
What do your test results look like?
on the results said free T3 is 3.8 free T4 14.5
i am on thyroxine 125
Sorry dobey2 apologies for hijacking your question x
My understanding (and this was what happened to me) is that free T4 will be high or above the reference range and free T3 will be low or below range, thus indicating that you have plenty of T4 but it is not converting properly and reaching your cells, where it is needed. Symptoms will be all those associated with being hypo but different in each of us, it seems. Do you have latest blood tests? If so, post here with the reference ranges for people to comment. If your T4 is not particularly high, you may just need a higher dose of whatever you are already on.
thank you Hennerton
Free T4 14.5 (12.0-22.0)
Free T3 3.8 ( 3.1-6.8)
You seem to be low in both so your GP would probably agree to raise your dose although no guarantee about that since many assume being in range is enough.
thank you at the Doctors this afternoon should be interested let battle commence
Good luck with your battle!
Ha Ha, I didn't want to scare you. Keep mentioning your symptoms and ask where you can seek help if not from him/her?
just been no chance on this earth of increasing levo or getting T3 at all - this is the uk and this is how it is words of the doctor dare you mention usa it is the old old thing its NORMAL ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Have you got the Pulse article by Dr Toft? It says that some people only feel well with a tsh under 1. You can email Louise at TUK and she will send it to you or maybe someone here can email it to you - ?
Did they say what it might be if it isn't your thyroid?
So sorry ...
Could you tell me if I need t3 ...I feel awful ... T4 17 pmol ... (10-24).....t3. .4.4pmol .... (2.8-7.1)...I'm on 75 levothyroxine. ..thanks
lola, it's difficult to say for sure. In the old days, people were treated with natural desiccated thyroid derived from porcine. I think it worked well for most people (containing T4,3,2,1) but once pharmaceutical companies made T4 in the lab, they campaigned hard for doctors to prescribe it. It does not agree with everyone.
First you could try to see if you can get an increase to 100 mcg. of levothyroxine and if you see improvement, increase until you feel well. Some people are on 175 mcg. before optimum. If you feel worse, some people are succeeding in getting natural thyroid prescribed but it is not easy in the UK. The last resort would be to order your own T3 but if you feel awful you should try to get to the bottom of it. How are you levels of iron and folate. It helps any hormone you take to work. If your cortisol levels are way off, it won't matter which hormone you take. They won't work well.
If you can get a saliva test, it would expose a problem with your adrenal glands.
I wish I could help you more but this condition is so complicated and you need a total support to achieve wellness.
Read the articles from stopthethyroidmadness.com/m...
and I like the way this man explains the chain of events to feeling well. youtube.com/watch?v=nZ_CP7l...
Been on vitamin b12 d3 vitamin c for month but now need folic acid ..cortisol was normal on blood test last week..very cold very tired ...75 levothyroxine but it's not working
The better test for cortisol is the saliva test. stopthethyroidmadness.com/a...
Your t4 could be higher so I'd ask for an increase in levo first, maybe 100 every other day, see if that helps - ? How long have you been on levo? What's your tsh like?
(Oops, sorry - I see Heloise has said more or less the same already.)
Been on 75 since October my tsh was 1 .98mu/l (0.27-4.2) thanks
Is this why your GP won't allow an increase because of your suppressed TSH. This is often the case but your FT3 is too low and could be the reason you still feel awful. But you are on a very low dosage of T4 so you could possibly be able to talk them into an increase. stopthethyroidmadness.com/m...
Yes I think so but so cold basel temperature never above 35.2 ..constipated badly ..eat healthy weight won't shift ..so tired
lola, you need more treatment. If your GP is obstinate, can you ask for a referral to an endo? Can you get a different GP.? Just express that you are not well and five months on that dose is enough time to see that it is not working well for you. Don't sit back, insist on an increase. If you can't do this on your own can you get someone to advocate for you and take them to your appointment. I know it's difficult to plead for yourself. I wonder if some of these GP's are sadists in a way sending people off to suffer and withholding medication they need. Shame on them.
Sorry, is the tsh 1.98? Or did I read that wrong? If your tsh is close to 2 and you feel unwell it is too high.
At the very least you should see if you can have your dose raised. Some people don't feel well until their tsh is lower, often under 1. On a good dose you should feel and be warmer and your constipation should go.
If you want something to bring your doctor, ask Louise Warvill to send you the Pulse article by Dr Toft or you can buy his book and bring it with you to show your gp.
Good luck!
Yes I.98 ...thanks for your help I will try doctors again I appreciate your advice x
No probs. 
You have a bit of wiggle room with your levo yet - maybe they will ask you to alternate 75/100 doses, then in six weeks have a test and see if there's still room for an increase to 100. You may feel much better. If not, maybe ask for the addition of a little t3.
You should be on enough levo for long enough (and with your results+symptoms you're not on enough) to see if it helps. If you still don't feel well, it is reasonable to ask for a trial of t3.
Sorry - I just scrolled up to see I seem to have suggested the Toft article twice. This flipping new HU format drives me nuts.
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