Just returned from my GP. My recent blood test from 3 weeks ago, TSH 4.84 0.35-5.5, free T4 5.7 7.0-17.0, free T3 5.4 3.5-6.5. My GP says my levels are now normal, he's written to my Endo who says my levels are great. I'm on 20mg liothyronine split in two doses. I still have symptoms and asked if it might be better to get my TSH lower, my GP got quite defensive, my symptoms must be caused by something else. I've read about normal and optimal ranges, I'm not going to get any support getting optimal, what do I do?
Thanks in advance
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Ch76
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Both doctors need to be reducated. It is not the advice someone with hypothyroidism needs. Once diagnosed and given thyroid hormones, in your case T3, the aim is a TSH of 1 or below, with the Free T3 and Free T3 towards the upper part of the range.
I take 50mcg of T3, and take one daily dose as recommended by a doctor who was also an Adviser to Thyroiduk.org.uk.
Thank you Shaws, that's what I thought. I can't afford to go private, no idea how to get the treatment I need. I'm not taking much in at the moment but your link is very interesting reading that I'll give another look when my head is clearer.
It's true your FT3 is pretty good, but your TSH is much too high
Have you tried adding any Levothyroxine as well?
What are your levels of vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Looking at previous post you have Hashimoto's I believe
Are you on strictly gluten free diet? Its very often essential, certainly beneficial for majority
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working including T3
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
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How the \"normal\" range is set
All results in normal range.
Normal ranges
Advice needed on \"normal range\" for hypothyroidism
