Armour Thyroid and blood test results

[Anna0778]

Hi, This is my first time posting. I was diagnosed with an under active thyroid nearly two years ago, I am 36 years old and a mum of two. I was started on thyroxine straight away but knew within six weeks this was not the medication for me! I soon discovered armour thyroid which I order from abroad, I take 2 grains per day (1 mornings And 1 afternoon) and have been really pleased with the improvements to my health. EXCEPT I cannot lose weight! Ever! I had bloods done this week as I was starting to feel a bit run down, and the results were as follows:

TSH = 0.05 (0.5 - 5)

T3 = 4.8 (not sure what the normal range is for this? But google shows between 4 - 8.3)

Free T4 = 9.9 (10 - 24)

I would appreciate any advice as to what these results mean as they mean nothing to me?! Is my T4 too low, should I increase my dose?

Thanks in advance!

Anna

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

We can only interpret your results if you include the reference ranges eg

FT4: 15 (12-22)

Can you add them please.

Ranges vary from lab to lab so we need your lab's ranges.

[Anna0778 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi susie,

Thanks for replying, I have updated my original post with the normal ranges next to my readings, these may make sense to someone!?

Thanks

Anna

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Anna0778]

Unfortunately the range you found on Google for FT3 is no good, it has to be the range from your own lab because they vary. My lab's range is 3.5-6.5, the private lab I use is 3.1-6.8, so you just can't use any range.

As you're taking Armour, then TSH will be low or suppressed so your TSH result is as expected.

NDT usually lowers FT4 so we'd expect that to be low but yours in under range so it's possible an increase in dose might be needed.

When taking NDT/Armour or any form of T3 then it is the FT3 result that is the most important, so you really need to find out your lab's range. If your FT3 is low and that will cause symptoms and you won't lose weight until it is optimal. FT3 needs to be kept in range.