I am new do I need an increase

[Zoey1144]

Diagnosed 2011

Taking 150mcg thyroxine

Thank you

TSH 3.87 (0.2 - 4.2)

FT4 15.5 (12 - 22)

FT3 3.1 (3.1 - 6.8)

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum and 'YES' you badly need an increase. The aim of levothyroxine is to bring the TSH down to 1 or lower till we feel well with no symptoms.

Your doctor appears to another poorly trained GP who imagine (or has been told) that the aim is a TSH within range - which in the lab that did your test the top of the range is 4.2. To make matters worse, it is very unfortunate that the BTA has prevented people from being diagnosed until their TSH is 10, but in other countries the cut-off point is 3.

Both your Frees are too low, especially FT3 as T3 is the only Active hormone used by all of our receptor cells.

Tell your GP you've had advice from the NHS Choices Thyroiduk.org.uk for info and help on dysfunctions of the gland and it is recommended a TSH of 1 or below with FT4 and FT3 towards the upper part of the range.

Blood tests should always be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test and take afterwards. This helps to prevent doctors adjusting our doses unnecessarily.

Ask him to check B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate and always get print-outs with the ranges for your own records and you can post for comments.

On the following link you will see the reason FT4 and FT3 need to be checked.

[Zoey1144 in reply to shaws]

Thank you. I feel awful and endo says symptoms are not due to thyroid so will not increase. I will post vits and mins now.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Zoey1144]

Endocrinologists appear to know nothing about how to treat a patient with hypo.