Test results, what do they mean?

[Nanaedake]

TSH 0.5 mu/L range (0.25-5.0)

FT4 29.6 pmol?L range (12 - 25)

FT3 6.3 pmol?L range (3.1 - 6.9)

These are old results but at the time I had no idea of the importance of FT3, I didn't even realise it had been tested!

[greygoose]

They mean you don't convert very well, and need your FT4 well over the range to get enough T3 in your body.

Have you had your vit d, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested? These all need to be optimal for good conversion.

[maggiesloper]

Your levels sound pretty well adjusted to me

[Treepie]

At first glance OK but GG is right .A GP would probably go by TSH and T4 and say you are over medicated but that is not the problem.

[Nanaedake]

Ok, thank you. That makes sense. I recently had Vit D test and it came back adequate but I'd been supplementing with a very small dose 10ug. I also got B12, Ferritin and Folate tested and now take a sublingual methylfolate and methylcobalamin as well as a B multivitamin. I take Magnesium citrate too but heard that Magnesium Malate might be better for joint ache. Things have improved but none of the levothyroxine available suits me. All of it causes problems. Actavis seems to be the least terrible option but it gives me stomach discomfort.

[BirgitteG]

Would really like to learn! Why is it that you think that FT3 is not good enough? It'seems just under the top of the range?

[Nanaedake in reply to BirgitteG]

I think it's to do with the ratio of T3 to T4, there's a recent paper that describes how this works. It should be a 3/1 or 4/1 ratio. I think mine is heading up toward a 5/1 ratio? I'm not sure but I can see that for my FT3 to be high in range my FT4 has to be high above range. At this point I made a note I felt quite well. Most of the time I haven't fell well at all but it's been complicated by the lack of stability of levothyroxine. I'm very sensitive to tiny changes.

[BirgitteG in reply to Nanaedake]

Thank you for answering, I didn't know that.

Hope you will be OK!

[greygoose in reply to BirgitteG]

It's not that the FT3 isn't good enough, it's that she has to take a lot too much T4 to get the FT3 to that level. Which means that there is a lot of unconverted T4 slopping around in her blood, causing problems. That unconverted T4 can make people feel very ill.

[BirgitteG in reply to greygoose]

Thank you, didn't know that!

[Nanaedake]

Yes. that's what I'd like to do. I've read all the information on Levothyroxine and I can see there are a lot of problems with the manufacturing of the drug. Can anyone tell me how to safely go about it? I've looked into adding T3 but no one will prescribe here and I may as well try NDT instead. It might support bones better.

[EleanorM-G]

If Levo doesn't agree with you, as you mentioned, have you thought about trying NDT? Lots of people on here (including me) are self medicating with NDT. If you are interested in trying, you will get lots of support and advise on here about how to go about it.

[Nanaedake in reply to EleanorM-G]

Yes, that's what I'd like to try. I've finally got well enough to get back to work and am starting a new job soon, keeping fingers crossed I'll stay well with all the vitamins I'm taking. I should be able to afford to buy NDT with a regular income. How can I get a safe supply of NDT? Do I need to see a private doctor or can I order without a prescription? I've seen thyroid UK's list of pharmacies but they all require a prescription it seems. Also, how do I find a private doctor? None listed in my area on Thyroid UK website.

[EleanorM-G in reply to Nanaedake]

I am not sure how you go about finding a private doctor, but I have heard people talking about it on here, so I suggest you post the question in a new thread so everyone can see it and you get lots of answers.

Lots of people on here see Dr Peatfield, who is an ex NHS doctor with na under active thyroid himself. (I saw him about 8 yrs ago.) He travels round the country holding surgeries, but he can't prescribe. He will suggest what you need and then you will need to buy it off the internet. I don't have his contact details, but a quick google search should bring them up.

Most people who are on NDT are self medicating and buying it off the internet from different companies. We are not allowed to post on here where we get it from, for fear of the place being "shut down." I will PM you a message with a link as to where I buy my T4/T4 from.