My levels

[lorrainewilson64]

Just had a call back from the Dr and was told my blood test for T3 is 4.7 and my T4 is 20 ... said it was normal .Wish I felt it .

[greygoose]

Did you not ask him for the ranges? The numbers mean nothing without the ranges.

[lorrainewilson64 in reply to greygoose]

Didn't know about the range was just told my last test was normal for T3 and T4 .....wish I had known but got a blood test due so will check then .

[greygoose in reply to lorrainewilson64]

Ranges vary from lab to lab, because they use different machines to do the tests. There is no standard range. But, when your doctor says 'normal', what he actually means is 'in range' - there's no such thing as 'normal' because we're all so different. However, being 'in range' is not the same as optimal, and it's optimal we want!

Just taking a guess, without the ranges, I would say your FT4 is up near the top of the range, and the FT3 just below the middle of the range, which would not be 'normal', because it would mean you have a conversion problem, and that would not make you feel good. But, I could be very wrong. lol

[K_R_W in reply to greygoose]

Greygoose.. How do I get a diagnoses if they are "within their ranges"mine will run the lowest of the range then in 3 months be near the top (highest)

[greygoose in reply to K_R_W]

Have you had your antibodies tested? That sounds like Hashi's.

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

What was the TSH?

[K_R_W in reply to greygoose]

My TSH IS .62 range .32-5.00

[greygoose in reply to K_R_W]

OK, well, you'd never get diagnosed with a TSH like that. It's too low for them to even consider there's a problem, because they only really look at the TSH.

So, if you've never had your antibodies tested, I would think that would be the next thing to do. Unfortunately, the NHS will only do one of the tests for antibodies, so it might be a good idea to see about getting them done privately.

If your antibodies come back negative, the next thing to consider would be secondary hypo, where the problem is with the pituitary or the hypothalamus, not the thyroid gland. But, you would have to really read up on that, to know what your talking about, if you want the doctor to take it seriously. But, try the antibodies, first.

[K_R_W in reply to greygoose]

What is the test for antibodies?

[greygoose in reply to K_R_W]

There are two : TPOab and TgAB. But the NHS only does the TPO.

[K_R_W in reply to greygoose]

I have been test for the anti Tpo ab my result 11.4 range <35

[greygoose in reply to K_R_W]

OK, but that doesn't automatically mean you don't have Hashi's. Antibodies fluctuate, you could just have caught them on a low day.

Also, your TgAb could be high, which would also mean you had Hashi's. But, as I said, the NHS doesn't test for that. You have to have it done privately.

[K_R_W in reply to greygoose]

U mention early about ft3 and ft4

My ft3 is 3.2 range 2.0-4.4

Ft4 is 1.2 range is 0.7-1.7

[greygoose in reply to K_R_W]

Well, they are both dead on mid-range. Which means that you're converting ok, but you haven't got much to convert. So, an increase would probably help you feel better.

[K_R_W in reply to greygoose]

What do u mean by that? Sorry I'm asking so many questions.

[greygoose in reply to K_R_W]

Ummm... I mean what I say. lol I'm sorry, I don't know how to explain it any better.

Both FT4 and FT3 are mid-range. Which means that you're converting ok - if you weren't, the FT3 would be much lower.

But, mid-range isn't high enough for either of them. They both need to be higher, so there's plenty of room for an increase in dose.

[K_R_W in reply to K_R_W]

I'm not on any med. I myself take a "natural" tyrolsol

[K_R_W in reply to greygoose]

The results I previously gave you were from July 29.2017..

My TSH and T4 free were chkd June 3rd also and the results were TSH .851

Range 0.550- 4.78

Ft4 0.88 range 0.89-1.76

No ft3 was done at Tht time

[lorrainewilson64 in reply to greygoose]

No don't think i ever have

[K_R_W in reply to greygoose]

What is the antibody test? I think I may have had it done.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

What's the ranges for those? If FT3 is low in range and FT4 is high in range you could have poor conversion. Impossible to say though without ranges.

[lorrainewilson64 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Didn't know about ranges will ask when I'm there next for blood test . Thank you for your reply

[Frustratedmum]

I understand how you feel!! It's so frustrating that Doctors focus more on some lab test results rather than looking at the patient in front of them and listening to their symptoms! If only it was the other way around! Keep trying different doctors if possible with the hope that you will find one that will listen - good luck!

[bluebug]

Have you had your folate, ferritin, vitamin D and vitamin B12 levels tested?

Especially your vitamin B12 as you have type 2 diabetes and metformin depletes B12 levels?

If not get them tested. You are likely to have to do this privately as doctors tend to be in denial initially about B12 issues.

[lorrainewilson64 in reply to bluebug]

Hi never had them tested I do take 1 vit B12 1000 high strength each day

[bluebug in reply to lorrainewilson64]

Well since your supplementing B12 the test result will be skewed however you do need to test the rest of them.

You can ask your GP but they may not be willing to do it. If they refuse then do it privately -

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Blue Horizon do finger prick tests that test folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D aynd ferritin

City Assays do vitamin D testing.

You will need to calculate yourself the cheapest way of getting them all tested.

Once you have got the test results start a new thread with the results and ranges.

[lorrainewilson64 in reply to bluebug]

That's great advice thank you .is it best to stop B12 until test so it's more accurate

[bluebug in reply to lorrainewilson64]

Unfortunately while vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin, a small amount is stored in the liver. This means even if you stop taking it now it would take 5 months to ensure all the B12 you supplemented is out of your system.

[K_R_W]

I have had Anti Tpo Ab. My result 11.4

Range <35

[mistydog]

You need both antibody tests. I had both done on the NHS. But if you are taking a thyroid support it will also skew your results.