Blood results! Free T3 & T4.

[katacharin]

Hi again,

I've finally got copies of my blood test results and would love some help understanding them.

Free T3 4.3 pmol/L (2.80-7.10pmol/L)

Free T4 19.8pmol/L (9.00-26.00pmol/L)

TSH 1.91 mu/L (0.35-6.00 mu /L)

All say 'normal - no action'.

As I have explained before, I still have lots of hypothyroid symptoms. Currently on 125 mg Levothyroxine.

Thanks for any interpretation you can give.

Naomi

[Clutter]

Katacharin, they're not bad, but could be improved by an increase in dose. FT3 and FT4 are considered 'ideal' in the top 75% of range ie your FT3 >6.0 and FT4 >21.

Your TSH is a little high. Most people on thyroid replacement are comfortable with TSH just above or below 1.0 and an increase to 150mcg would lower TSH and improve your FT4 and FT3 and hopefully, improve your symptoms. Scroll down to Guidelines and Treatment Options to read Dr. A. Toft's comments to Pulse Magazine thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you want a copy of the article to show your GP.

Good levels of vitamin D also aid T4 to T3 conversion.

[greygoose]

Hi Katacharin,

Unfortunately, doctors consider anything in range to be 'normal'. But that is not the case. The ranges are very broad and not very helpful. But doctors don't know that!

Your FT4 is over mid-range but has room for improvement. However, your FT3 is just Under mid-range and has lots of room for improvement. This would suggest that you aren't converting very well. And if you can't convert properly, adding more and more levo (T4) could just make you worse.

There can be several reasons for this, for example low iron. Have you had your iron/ferretin, vit D, vit B12 and folate tested? Magnesium, selenium and zinc would be usefull, too. Your body needs all of these to be optimal in order for your body to be able to convert your T4 to T3, and be able to use the T3 correctly.

Low cortisol could be another reason.

In the meantime, a little T3 added to your T4 might make you feel better, because your body is crying out for T3. Suggest it to your doctor and see what he says.

Hugs, Grey

[katacharin in reply to greygoose]

Thank you that's really useful. I thought when I saw my Free T3 on the screen that it was toward the lower end. I also remember the doctor saying previously that the endo he had emailed for advice said that, especially for pre-conception levels, the t3 should be a bit higher.

I have an appointment with a private consultant tomorrow, I really hope that he can interpret these results the same way you have and perhaps advise my GP to prescribe me T3 as well. I asked my GP about it a couple of months ago and he said there was no need.

I did have bloods for ferritin & B12, but I don't think they tested for vitD. Like everything else, they just said it was all normal levels. I take a B12 supplement everyday anyway (especially as I am a vegetarian.)

Keeping my fingers crossed for the appointment tomorrow and just really hope that I am listened to properly. Just writing out all my symptoms and questions now.

Thanks again. Naomi

[greygoose in reply to katacharin]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. But you really must get copies of your results - with the ranges - and not just rely on the doctor's good will.

[CrissyD in reply to katacharin]

Hi, can I ask how did the appointment with the consultant go? Was it a private one or a referral from the GP? My GP keeps postponing to send me to a endo specialist, saying that I'm ok... only that I'm not really. Apart from feeling tired all the time and my favorite activity nowadays is to just lay in bed, my hair is falling at a most worrying rate. My F3 is 4.6 and my F4 is 24.3, but the GP still thinks is fine... I would really want to see a specialist, but I don't know how to find a really good one, at least if I'm paying for the consult, to know it's worthy. Also I remember my doctor back home saying that I would need a scan each year because Hashimoto thyroid tends to get uglier and dangerous with time, so needs to be checked annually but again the GP disagreed.

I would really appreciate some recommendations

Thank you