Have you had your rT3 checked? Doctors don't check this one, you would need to have it done privately. RT3 can be included in your fT3 value so give a misleading result. High rT3 can prevent the active T3 getting into cells, keeping a patient hypo.
No, not true. rT3 and FT3 are two different tests. FT3 just measures the free T3 and only the free T3. And rT3 only measures the rT3.
Perhaps you're getting confused with Total T3 which measures both Free T3 and bound T3. But, rT3 is quite separate.
Essjay16 , the NHS will not, under any circumstances, test rT3, so no point in asking for it. And, to have it done privately is rather expensive.
Your FT3 is actually over-range - I'm surprised your doctor thinks it's good. But, your TSH is too high. What are you taking at the moment? And, how do you feel? That is far more important than your blood tests.
Hi grey goose, I am aware that there are the 2 different tests but I had read that rT3 can be picked up by the fT3 test and give a result higher than it would otherwise be. Perhaps this was bad information.
So, you aren't on thyroid hormone replacement (levo, T3, NDT)?
Did you have your vit d and B12 tested before starting supplements? You really should, or you're likely to be taking the wrong strength doses. Fish oil capsules don't sound as if they have much vit D3 in them. And, certainly, a B complex would not have enough B12 (or the right B12?) in them to treat a true deficiency. I wasn't aware there were any sublingual B complexes. It's usually methylcobalamin that is sublingual.
Not much point in taking that, you won't be able to absorb it. If l were you, l would stop all the Bs for a while, and get your B12 and folate tested. Then take what you need.
And, while you're at it, get the vit D and ferritin tested, too.
I didn't have vit d, b12 b complex tested before supplements. I researched how I was feeling 3 or so years ago because of various muscle and bone aches. Also back then suffered unbearable nerve pain in hand (peripheral neuropathy ?) Had gall bladder removed 2012 which is when I felt better going gluten free and now can't stomach lactose either. Now you have my life story. Boring isn't it. 😊
Forgot to say how I feel. Cold/heat intolerance. Most evenings I use a light blanket in the lounge. I go to bed warm and then have cold tingling through my body. Wake around 3am it hot legs! If I walk fast I get too hot. Constant tinnitus, tired looking eyes with small pupils. Morning body temp average is 35.9 °C. Need a hot shower to warm up. However can't stand hot holidays, I feel weak in the heat. Thumb joints have become painful when I shake water off after washing hands. Heart beat races off at least once a day.Deep vertcal ridged in finger nails.
Also for got to say I use magnesium oil spray every night on calf muscles, if I don't I get excruciating cramp that makes me close to passing out or throwing up. TMO I suspect. Sorry.
Well I know nothing, the doctor seems quite happy with these results except the ferritin. He wants to see me in 4 weeks. I did mention that I heard thyroid results are best at optimal rather than normal levels. He said they are good. What the hell do I do? I had about 20 tests done . 😩
Suggest to him that it shouldn't be over range. Especially not with a highish TSH. The two don't correspond. It's possible that he really doesn't understand T3, so didn't really look at it. Ask for a retest.
Or, just wait, and get retested in a few months time. It could just have been a fluke and will go down to the level of the FT4.
Have you been tested for Hashis antibodies? If not, it might be a good idea. All sorts of weird things can happen if you have Hashis.
My female maternal cousin is hypo and her daughter has hashimoto's. Any idea what the hashi autoimmune test would be called clinically. It may have been done. Don't know what to look for.
Have had a look and not been tested for Hashi antibodies. Do you think I am barking up the wrong tree with thyroid, the symptoms are so similar to cfs.
Well, that's not surprising. There's a school of thought that says CFS doesn't exist, it's just un/under-treated hypo. I don't know the truth of that, but certainly the symptoms are the same, and doctors would much rather diagnosed you with CFS than they would with hypo.
No, I don't think your barking up the wrong tree, there's something going on there. Your TSH says that your thyroid is struggling, and your FT4 is very low. It's your FT3 that is the mystery.
However, if you don't get anywhere with it at this time, don't give up, get your thyroid retested in 3 months - or six months - or even a year's time. If your cousin has Hashi's, so could you. It does run in families.
I ask my GP for cortisol test he said why ? I said I wanna know my cortisol level because stress .unbelieveable he said no if Cushing's syndrome is suspected the amount of cortisol in your body will be measured .NHS ........
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