Advise on my blood results from hospital before I see Endo

[Lindsayf]

Hi all

I have picked my blood test results up from my GP which the Endo arranged and I am after some advice on them before I see her (Endo) in a few weeks:

Serum TSH level - 0.02 mU/L

Serum T3 level - 4 nmol/l

Serum free T4 level - 19.6 mmol/L

I was on 75mcg of Levothyroxine and she agreed to increase to 100mcg but I am worried now she will try and reduce the dosage as my TSH is 0.02.

My serum free T4 has increased from 14pmol/L to 19.6mmol/L which I have read is better to be at the higher end.

My serum T3 was 3.6pmol/L and has increased to 4nmol/L which I has hoped would have increased more.

On the Hospital results there were no ranges like the results I get from my GP. Should I ask to go on T3 to increase my T3 level? Or are the above results a good range to be in?

Thanks

Lindsay

[Clutter]

Lindsayf,

How you feel is more important than where in the range your results are. If you feel better on the higher dose tell your endo. Suppressed TSH doesn't mean you are overmedicated as long as FT4 and FT3 are within range. If the endo is insistent you could try negotiating 75/100mcg alternate days.

[Lindsayf in reply to Clutter]

Hi Clutter... I feel much better on a higher dose. I still feel a little tired in the afternoon but no where near as much as I used to. I've had no racing heart, hot flushes or shakes so I feel like I'm not over medicated. From looking at previous ranges my FT4 is top end of the range and my T3 is bang on the bottom of the range. I will put up a fight not to have my dose lowered but will keep in mind your suggestion if she insists.

Thanks for replying

[greygoose in reply to Lindsayf]

You're not converting well, are you. That's obvious even without the ranges. Have you had your vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested? They could be low, and that would affect conversion. Are you eating enough? Low calorie diets also have an adverse effect on conversion.

[Lindsayf in reply to greygoose]

Hi Greygoose.. I'm on iron tablets and take Basic B Complex, 5000mcg Methylcobalamin, Vit D spray and vitamin K2 daily. I've had a cortisol test done at the hospital and I'm waiting for the results. I try to watch what I eat as I would like to shift half a stone but I've always been careful with food. I would like to add T3 to my Levoythroxine but I know the NHS doctors are not keen on that.

[greygoose in reply to Lindsayf]

The weight you put on with hypo has nothing to do with what you eat. And, contrary to all believe, low calorie diets will make you put on more.

Calories are necessary for good conversion. So people often find that when they eat more, they lose weight. That is because they have increase their conversion and thus their T3. And it's good levels of T3 that are needed for weight loss, not low calorie diets.

Why Don't you buy your own T3?

[Lindsayf in reply to greygoose]

I have been thinking about buying T3 and I've been reading all the comments on here including yours on how T3 can really help. I'm just nervous and have no idea what dose I'd need or where to buy from?!

It's such a mind game changing my brain to think eating more is better.... I understand the reason behind it and it makes sense I just need to get over my mind set.

[greygoose in reply to Lindsayf]

Yes, I know what you mean. We've all been brain-washed into thinking that low calorie good, high calorie bad! But, low calorie is never good, for anyone. It was just an idea introduced in the 60s by people who didn't understand how the body works. It then gave Big Food an opening to start making a fortune out of low-calorie processed food. So, they made sure the idea stuck! Big Food is as bad as Big Pharma!

T3 is like any other form of thyroid hormone replacement. You start low and work up slowly. Start with, say, quarter of a tablet, added to your 100 mcg. But, be warned, even when you start reducing the T4 as you increase the T3, your TSH will not rise. We know that this isn't a problem, but it makes doctors freak out, because they Don't know how the body works, either! Not really they Don't.

[Lindsayf in reply to greygoose]

I need to re programme my brain into thinking more healthy food rather then less low fat food...

I'm seeing the Endo in a few weeks and I'm going to ask to be put on T3 with my current dose of T4... If she refuses then I'll be straight on here asking how and where I buy T3.

I'm 100% with you on the thought that Doctors don't understand our body. I think they don't want to either! It's much easier to tell someone to put up and shut up then spend the time helping them get better.

I'm sure I'll be back on here in a few weeks asking for more help. I think I have more chance winning the lottery then getting T3 on the NHS.

But I'm determined to get better and with the help on here its a real possibility