After that test I had to plead with my doctor to let me try increasing the dose. I had been on 25mcg for 15 years and wanted to try a bit more she gave me 50mcg to try for two months. I ended up taking 37mcg (one and a half tablets as i was getting palpitations) my symptoms have improved but that may also be down to improved B12 treatment.
Latest test results:
Serum TSH 5.2 (0.30-4.50)
Serum free T4 14.2 (11.00-22.00)
No antibody test this time
My free T4 has improved slightly but the TSH is almost the same. Both tests were taken about the same time of day fasting and before medication.
I have a telephone consultation with the GP booked for next week but just wanted to seek some advice on here. I'm obviously still undermedicated, the slight increase hasn't made any real difference. I'm going to try to go back up to 50mcg from tomorrow and then see what the GP recommends I will tell her that I was taking a smaller dose due to symptoms. Would T3 have anything influence on how my body seems to be using the T4?. I asked for a T3 test but was told they don't do it. I'm in the UK.
Thanks again X
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shipscat
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With low FT4 and high TSH your FT3 is bound to be low. I would increase to 50mcg now and see whether your GP will increase dose to 75mcg which should raise FT4 and FT3 and lower TSH.
The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 1.0 or lower with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email louise.roberts@thyroiduk.org.uk if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.
Once your TSH is around 1.0 and FT4 higher in range it might be worth ordering a private thyroid test to check your FT3 level.
Thank you Clutter I will e-mail for the article. I was considering a private test for T3 but will wait as you suggest until I've got the TSH and FT4 where they should be.
Most people on levo need low TSH around (or even slightly below) 1 to be adequately treated.
If they have not been done ......Suggest you ask GP to check levels of vitamin d, b12, folate and ferratin. These all need to at VERY GOOD (not just average) levels for thyroid hormones (our own or replacement ones) to work in our cells
Also have you had thyroid antibodies checked? There are two sorts TPO Ab and TG Ab. (Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) Both need checking, if either, or both are high this means autoimmune thyroid - called Hashimoto's the most common cause in UK of being hypo.
(NHS rarely checks TPO and almost never checks TG. NHS believes it is impossible to have negative TPO and raised TG. It's rare, but not impossible, there are a few members on here that have this.)
ALWAYS Make sure you get the actual figures from tests (including ranges - figures in brackets). You are entitled to copies of your own results. Some surgeries make nominal charge for printing out. Alternatively you can now ask for online access to your own medical records. Though not all surgeries can do this yet, or may not have blood test results available yet online.
When you get results suggest you make a new post on here and members can offer advice on any vitamin supplements needed
If you can not get GP to do these tests, then like many of us, you can get them done privately
Blue Horizon - Thyroid plus eleven tests all these. (£99)
This is an easy to do fingerprick test you do at home, post back and they email results to you couple of days later.
Usual advice on ALL thyroid tests, (home one or on NHS) is to do early in morning, ideally before 9am. No food or drink beforehand (other than water) If you are taking Levo, then don't take it in 24 hours before (take straight after). This way your tests are always consistent, and it will show highest TSH, and as this is mainly all the medics decide dose on, best idea is to keep result as high as possible
If you have Hashimoto's then you may find adopting 100% gluten free diet can help reduce symptoms, and lower antibodies too.
You do not need to have ANY obvious gut issues, to still have poor nutrient absorption or low stomach acid or gluten intolerance.
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 importance of good levels of B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D, low stomach acid, leaky gut and gluten connection to autoimmune Hashimoto's (& Grave's) too.
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T3 Test result help with interpretation
Help with results please
