Blood Test Help: In last 2 months ive become sooo... - Thyroid UK

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Blood Test Help

Karen1 profile image
12 Replies

In last 2 months ive become sooo tired to my core & have piled on the weight, 2 inches round waist in 3 weeks so thought i better take my bloods again. However GP said all ok??!!?? I take 100mg thyroxine & T3 10 mg:

T3 is 5.4 (3.8 - 6.8)

TSH is 0.22 (0.34 - 5.6)

T4 is 8.4 (7.5 - 21.1)

To me the free T4 seems low.

What does anyone else think?

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Karen1 profile image
Karen1
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12 Replies
bluebug profile image
bluebug

Have you had any blood tests for ferritin, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D in the last year? Only reason I'm asking is that if you are not optimal, not just adequate, in any of these your thyroid hormones won't work properly and you will feel dreadful.

I've read if you are taking T3 your T4 and TSH will be depressed but someone will be along to confirm this shortly.

Marz profile image
Marz

T4 is often low when taking T3 :-)

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Karen1 Well, of course your GP says it's all ok, everything is in range so that's that, but we can put your GP on the idiot pile along with a fair few others (oops, I'm a bit anti-doctor today :) ).

Yes, your FT4 is dreadfully low. Your FT3 is a lot higher in range because you're taking T3. Any form of T3 will suppress TSH and lower FT4. But you're symptomatic which indicates you're not optimally medicated. Some tweaking of meds is necessary, maybe a bit more Levo, I doubt if increasing T3 would be the right thing as that will probably send your FT3 over the top but you certainly seem to need something.

Is your GP open to discussion and tweaking meds?

Blue36 profile image
Blue36

Check with your doctor it could be thyroide problem

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toBlue36

Blue36 If you re-read the original post you will see that the member is on thyroid meds, so yes, she does have a thyroid problem.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Have you checked your B12, folate, ferritin, and vitamin d levels recently?

Do you have Hashimoto's?

Karen1 profile image
Karen1 in reply toSlowDragon

Sorry im not sure what hashimotos is?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply toKaren1

Hashimoto's is autoimmune thyroid disease where antibodies attack and eventually destroy the thyroid, causing hypothyroidism. You would need tests for Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies (TPO) and Thyroglobulin antibodies (TG). Hashi's isn't treated, it's the resulting hypothyroidism that's treated but because the antibody attacks fluctuate so do symptoms (and test results).

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

As Seaside Susie says your doctor is now on the idiot pile :) He has ignored all of your clinical symptom and levothyroxine is not always the best replacement for us. I improved when T3 was added but I was still quite unwell. I only improved when I stopped levothyroxine altogether but that might not apply to everyone. -When we complain to GPs they usually prescribe something other than thyroid hormones.

Karen1 profile image
Karen1

Thank you all. GP has sent me off for more bloods including ferritin, vit d & B12, so i'll see how these come back but at least im armed when she calls me cause it's usually the usual of theyve all come back good ;(

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

If you have Hashimoto's then you may find adopting 100% gluten free diet can help reduce symptoms, and lower antibodies too. Selenium supplements can also help.

Assume you know that Levo generally should be taken on empty stomach and no food or drink for at least hour after. Many take on waking, some prefer bedtime, either as more convenient or perhaps more effective. No other medications at same time, especially iron or magnesium, these must be at least 4 hours away

Best advice is to read as much as you can. Vitamin and minerals levels are very important, but standard NHS thinking, doesn't at the moment seem to recognise this. You will see, time and time again on here lots of information and advice about B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D. These all need to at good (not just average) levels for thyroid hormones (our own or replacement ones) to work in our cells.

Karen1 profile image
Karen1

Thank you so much. Unfortunately the only problem i have with taking vit tablets etc is that they seem to irritate my bladder so cant take them for more than a few days! I currently ust feel so tired & that im blowing up daily ergh!!

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