Do I need to know my t3 and t4?: Hey I've had an... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

140,281 members164,998 posts

Do I need to know my t3 and t4?

saffronx profile image
1 Reply

Hey I've had an underactive thyroid for over a year now and take 25 and 50 of levo on alternate days. I went to the doctors as I wasn't feeling to good, weight gain, pains and tiredness but my results came back normal , my TSH was 1.83 , this was the only result I got as my doctors don't test T3 and T4 and says they are not worried about referring me to see a endocrinologist even though many people have recommended it to me, just looking for some ideas on whether I have anything to even be worried about or not, thank you

Written by
saffronx profile image
saffronx
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
1 Reply
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Yes you do Saffron. Doctors just don't seem to understand that TSH is a pituitary hormone and of no consequence once on thyroid meds. FT4 and FT3 are needed. FT4 to see how much free thyroxine is in your blood, and FT3 to see if T4 is converting to T3 well enough, T3 being the active hormone which every cell in our bodies need.

In a treated hypo patient generally TSH should be around 1 or below and FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their respective reference ranges. See Treatment Options on ThyroidUK's main website where Dr Toft (leading endocrinologist and past president of the British Thyroid Association) states in Pulse Onine Magazine

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.

But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

If you would like a copy of the article to discuss with your GP, email louise.roberts@thyroiduk.org.uk

Ask your GP to test

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Most of us Hypos have low levels and they all need to be optimal, not just in range, for thyroid hormone to work properly.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Do I need T3 ?

Hi all, I'm hoping to find some help here. I am off to the doctors this afternoon armed with all...

T4 to T3 conversion troubles

Armor dose is 480mg for 2 years. Recent T4 test was double max range. Doc wants to decrease Armor...

My hashis journey - t4 to NDT to t4/NDT to t4/t3 - what next?

I have learnt so much reading posts and replies over the last while, and it seems I have finally...

Did I do T3/T4 wrong?

Hi All, I have been thinking something over since joining this forum and wanted to ask a Q. Last...

T3/T4 and NDT?

Currently awake with another migraine. Feeling awful, my fatigue is getting worse I'm in bed at...