Serum T4?: I'd greatly appreciate advice before... - Thyroid UK

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Serum T4?

BadHare profile image
11 Replies

I'd greatly appreciate advice before seeing my GP re blood test results. His secretary stated all the results were within normal range (as they do) except for serum T4, which is 3.0 (11-22).

I'll get a print out & repost the full results, next week, but want to go in prepared as my endocrinologist thinks I'm overmedicated. I self-medicate for secondary hypothyroidism: my temperature's up a degree to 36, blood pressure is always low, & BPM's the same as before taking thyroid meds.

Thanks in advance!

Mel

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BadHare
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humanbean profile image
humanbean

What do you self-medicate with? Based on your very low serum T4 I would guess you are on T3 only?

And even with the insane treatment rules that doctors use, if your TSH and Free T3 are in range then you can't be over-medicating (in my untrained opinion).

BadHare profile image
BadHare in reply to humanbean

Thanks Humanbean!

I was on NDT, then tried adding T3, but I've been on only T3 for about 6 weeks.

Mel

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply to BadHare

Well, I don't know if this will be of any comfort to you, but the lowest Free T4 result I've ever had was

Free T4 1.94 pmol/L (12 - 22)

I was on T3 only when that was done. And I'm still here. :)

I'll be interested to know how your endocrinologist justifies reducing your meds with your Free T4 level. Presumably he'll go by the TSH as usual.

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply to humanbean

But then if he goes by TSH level and you have secondary hypothyroidism it suggests he is even more incompetent than the average endocrinologist. A scary thought - how can such a useless creature exist?

BadHare profile image
BadHare in reply to humanbean

I've seen several endocrinologists, after swapping from an even more useless hospital!

I know little, but it's disturbs me to know they only know enough to be dangerous!

Dreamer12 profile image
Dreamer12 in reply to humanbean

😂😂😂😂 lol

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to humanbean

The lowest FT4 I had, was zero! lol

BadHare profile image
BadHare in reply to greygoose

Yay! :)

BadHare profile image
BadHare in reply to humanbean

Thanks Humanbean, that's good to hear!

I'm quite happy with the amount I take, as I'm well aware how cra*p I feel after 38 years experience with insuficient thyroid hormones! >:(

I expect my GP will be ok when I explain why the T4 result is fine, given what I'm taking.

I didn't mention T3 to him, as well, as it seems the medical

establishment is even more scared of it than NDT, but I'll have to 'fess

up. I'll quote your figures at him , if I can remember, after appointment olympics He'd suggested I'd be wasting money on supplements when I told him of my intention to take NDT, but has since agreed it's doing me good as I no longer need to wear thermals in July.

The endocrinologist I saw in the summer was disparaging about me taking NDT "extract", & like all the others I've seen, clearly didn't have a clue about secondary hypothyroidism or the effects that pituitary tumours can have on thyroid hormones. I posted last month re my low TSH levels, querying whether they were ok on NDT. I'm certain he'd've refused to see me again, if it weren't for the need to monitor the tumour that was scanned three years ago, that I've had symptoms of since 1977/78.

Mel

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Leverette,

If your FT3 is within range you are not over medicated. Suppressed TSH doesn't mean you are over medicated unless FT4 and/or FT3 are over range. It looks like you are taking T3 only to have FT4 so low.

BadHare profile image
BadHare in reply to Clutter

Thanks Clutter!

Yes to T3 only, as I thought I might have a RT3 issue.

I intend to go back on NDT next month.

Mel

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