"normal readings" despite not feeling good

[AMil22]

Hello....I recently had my thyroid rechecked as I've been low on energy, not sleeping well, weight gain, fingers/ ankle swelling & generally low mood to be told my results are "normal". My TSH was 3.4 & T4 was 14.9. I alternate with levoythyroxine doses (75mg 2 days & 100mg on the third)

I'd be interested if anyone else is experiencing similar symptoms with "normal" readings and any suggestions on how to pull out of this slugginess. As far as the doctors are concerned all is ok...

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

All is not OK. You are undermedicated. You need to increase your dose.The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it is needed for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges if that is where you feel well, when on Levo only.

You haven't put the reference ranges for your tests (always very importan for interpretation of tests as ranges vary from lab to lab), but it looks like your TSH is far too high, and I'm guessing FT4 is less than half way through it's range.

[shaws Administrator]

You are on insufficient levothyroxine as our TSH is recommended to be around 1, or lower or suppressed if we've already been diagnosed. Your blood tests may be within the 'normal range' but that should only be used if you haven't been diagnosed but you have. so TSH of 1 or lower is recommended.

Many doctors make this serious mistake as they've been badly trained and the best results for blood tests are TSH around 1 or lower with a Free T4 and Free T3 towards the top of the range.

Maybe your GP would like to read the following and you can say you've had advice from the NHS Choices on information/advice for hypothyroidism:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

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

Blood tests have to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow 24 hours gap between last dose of levo and test and take afterwards. Also ask GP to test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

Get a print-out from the surgery and the ranges must be shown and put them on a new post for comments.

[AMil22]

Thanks for the responses....I was told the following ranges with my results:

TSH: 0.3-5.0 (my result 3.4)

T4: 9-24 (my result 14.9)

so in reality I'm in the higher range of the TSH level and lower level of the T4 ranges provided

[AMil22 in reply to AMil22]

I should add these tests were taken at 8.30am in the morning too & under advice of my pharmacist I take my Levoythyroxine in the evening just before bed as he advised this should maximise absorption