Help with results puzzled.....

[Tigreg]

Hello to all,

Since TT last year, and after much tribulation, thought I was on the good road finally.

Here are my previous bloods:

June 2 2015 on dosage 100 mcg Levothyrox plus 18.75 mcg Cynomel T3 (5 weeks)

TSH. 3.03. 0.27-4.20

FT4. 15.00. 12.0-22.00

FT3. 5.02. 3.80-6.80

July 13 2015 on 100 mcg Levothyrox plus 25.0 mcg Cynomel T3 (6 weeks)

TSH. 1.24

FT4. 13.9

FT3. 4.97. (Same reference ranges)

As you can see, TSH went down nicely. However, I would have expected the FT3 to have gone up considerably. As far as my symptoms are concerned, I must admit that I'm feeling much better than six weeks ago, but I feel there is still room for improvement.

I would appreciate any suggestions as to what I should do....increase T3 or increase T4

or increase both?

Many thanks in advance.

[Bradleyeb]

Keep going on your current dose for a while longer and then see how you feel ... It's all going in the right direction. Hope you feel better soon

[Tigreg in reply to Bradleyeb]

Thank you Bradleyeb. That's encouraging!

[Bradleyeb]

Your T3 only lasts in the body for a few hours so depends when you had your blood tests done

[shaws Administrator]

You've given yourself the best answer - you are feeling so much better. Blood tests are only a guide and it is how the patient feels which is more important. As bradleyb has suggested maybe you had your blood test after taking your thyroid hormones. This is a guide to try to get the best results:

Blood Test: Have the earliest possible appointment . Leave 24 hours since last dose of thyroid hormones as it may skew results and also fast (you can drink water). Take them after test.

Take thyroid hormones on wakening and wait approx 1 hour before eating. Some foods interfere with medication. Leave 4 hours between supplements. Some prefer bedtime dosing, in that case you must leave 2 hours after eating before taking hormones. If you've had a fatty meal it should be longer. Food can interfere with the uptake.

Ask for Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate to be tested if you've not already had them. They should be towards the upper range.

Although T3 is absorbed quickly the effect of it lasts between 1 and 3 days.

[Tigreg in reply to shaws]

Thank you shaws and Bradleyeb. I am aware of all the pointers you have given. Always have my blood test at 8 am on empty stomach. This last one was taken under exactly the same conditions as the last one. It's true that I feel better BUT am still not able to lose the weight I have put on, still have hoarse voice sometimes, heartbeat around 60/64. Vitamins B12 and D, ferritin,folate and selenium all in upper levels.

I'm just puzzled that the FT3 didn't go up since the TSH went down nicely. Anyway, thanks to you all for this wonderful forum which I follow every day!

[greygoose in reply to Tigreg]

You're not able to lose weight because your FT3 is still too low.

There isn't a direct correlation between T3 and TSH - which is one of the reasons that TSH is such a bad test. Just the fact that you're taking T3 can make the TSH go down, It doesn't mean that your FT3 is high enough.

[greygoose]

You've only been on that dose for 5 weeks, so give it time - 6 weeks at least. Your T4 is low because you are taking T3. It doesn't matter. The body only hangs on to what it needs, and it doesn't need much because you're taking T3. So, if you increase anything after another couple of weeks, increase the T3.

[Tigreg in reply to greygoose]

Thank you greygoose. All good info.

[greygoose in reply to Tigreg]