T3 increase needed?: Evening all, currently... - Thyroid UK

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T3 increase needed?

aineyy profile image
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Evening all, currently taking 40mg of liothyronine split 20 at 6am, 20 at 12.30, feeling continuously drained, consultant is refusing to increase, saying worried about overmedicating and osteoporosis, as I said to him, I was hyperthyroid for 10 years, I know what that feels like and I'm certainly not that. Current bloods TSH 0.15, T4 2, T3 3.4, the levels seem low to me, would appreciate your thoughts.

Jayne

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aineyy
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Clutter profile image
Clutter

What is the FT3 lab ref range, Aineyy?

aineyy profile image
aineyy in reply toClutter

Have found the ranges on the internet, thank you helvella, as follows

TSH 0.55-4.75

T3 3.5-6.5

T4 9-23

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply toaineyy

Aineyy,

You need the ranges for the lab which did your results. If the ranges you have provided are correct you are under medicated to have FT3 below range and need a dose increase. Most people on T3 only will be comfortable with FT3 in the upper third of range ie between 5.0 - 6.5. FT4 will be below range because you are taking T3 only.

aineyy profile image
aineyy in reply toClutter

Thank you Clutter, these are the lab ref ranges of the hospital where my test was done, as helvella suggested they do publish them, found with a bit of digging.

I definitely feel I need a dose increase, my consultant & GP are panicking over my TSH, as apparently I am ''hyper'', their lack of understanding of blood results when a person is on T3 only, actually scares me, the amount of people they must be keeping unwell. Fortunately I have educated myself with a lot of reading, just wanted you knowledgeable lot to back up my thoughts.

Do you know anything about liquid levothyroxine, I became so ill on the tablets, is the liquid less likely to cause the same reaction?

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply toaineyy

Aineyy,

TSH 0.15 is below range but it isn't suppressed. My TSH has been <0.01 for 5 years. My endo would like it around 0.05 but three dose reductions didn't budge it and I refused to agree to any more dose reductions.

If the fillers in the tablets made you ill then you'll probably do better on liquid Levothyroxine which doesn't have fillers.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply toaineyy

Aineyy,

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.

I don't think it is lack of knowledge about T3 which is the problem with your endo but low TSH. The above may help if you show it to him/her.

aineyy profile image
aineyy in reply toClutter

Thank you Clutter, much appreciated.

Yes, have to see the ranges because different labs use differing ranges. Since you are taking T3, it would seem your FT4 would be lower in the range but your FT3 should be near the top of its range. If all that is true I think I might try taking all the T3 at one time. If you would rather not do that, perhaps an increase of 10 mcgs. would get you there.

Are you taking all the B vitamins?

aineyy profile image
aineyy in reply to

Have found the ranges on the internet, thank you helvella, as follows

TSH 0.55-4.75

T3 3.5-6.5

T4 9-23

aineyy profile image
aineyy

Morning, no ranges regretfully, done on the nhs, just getting the levels out of my consultant is challenge enough. Heloise24 I take the following vitamins, liquid iron, vit D, k2, vit C, vit b12, multi b vits, magnesium and zinc. My consultant wants to try to reintroduce thyroxine, which first time round made me very poorly, hence being on T3 only, he has prescribed liquid thyroxine as a trail, I'm very unsure about this, and haven't tried any as yet, trying to pluck up the courage!

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toaineyy

Absolutely understand the difficulty, but a result without a range is just a number.

If you know the lab used (e.g. the hospital has its own lab), then quite a lot of labs publish their ranges on the internet.

aineyy profile image
aineyy in reply tohelvella

Thanks will see if I can find it.

aineyy profile image
aineyy in reply tohelvella

Have found the ranges on the internet, thank you helvella, as follows

TSH 0.55-4.75

T3 3.5-6.5

T4 9-23

in reply toaineyy

I don't blame you, aineyy, for being worried about going back on thyroxine. It is such trial and error as to what will suit you. Do you still have a thyroid gland? Is there a chance you have improved cofactors since being on the vitamins and iron? Perhaps you are more likely to handle the liquid if you now can handle the conversion. I'm sure you will find out quickly since T3 is rather quickly dissipated but your current status isn't good either, according to those ranges which seem questionable.

aineyy profile image
aineyy in reply to

Thank you for your reply Heloise, I had RAI on my Thyroid a couple of years ago, then it all went down hill from there fairly rapidly, your right in what you say though, it was found at the time of being very unwell on Thyroxine, that my Vit D wasn't even registering & my Ferritin was on its backside, these levels are now hugely improved, still very nervous, but am going to give it a go starting tomorrow.

Kathleen-1 profile image
Kathleen-1

Read Paul Robinson's book "recovering with T3

Very helpful to get doses correct.

jezebel69 profile image
jezebel69

Hard to say without the ranges that go with those levels. Do you have them to add? Lab ranges can vary quite a bit

jezebel69 profile image
jezebel69 in reply tojezebel69

Oops sorry - have now managed to open the rest of your post lol

jezebel69 profile image
jezebel69 in reply tojezebel69

But just to add.....I need my TSH suppressed and my T3 near the top of the range before I feel well

aineyy profile image
aineyy in reply tojezebel69

Thank you, I'm feeling more confident after everyone's responses that I should go with what I am feeling & push for the T3 increase.

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