Essential to test RT3, and results questions

[cupcakegirl]

I’ve done a couple of private thyroid blood tests through Thriva (no hypothyroid diagnosis but many symptoms for years). The first results (September 16) were unusual:

TSH 2.02 (0.27 - 4.4)

FT4 12.5 (12-23)

FT3 4.55 (3.2-6.8)

TPO 12.7 (0-34)

T4 77.6 (66-181)

TGAB 13.2 (0-115)

I was concerned by the low FT4 and T4 but GP said that because they were still in normal range he couldn’t do anything.

This was lunchtime and not fasting so I repeated in February first thing in the morning and results were actually better

TSH 2.3 (0.27 - 4.4)

FT4 15.6 (12-23)

FT3 4.95 (3.2-6.8)

TPO 16.0 (0-34)

T4 123.0 (66-181)

TGAB 10.0 (0-115)

I would say that looks totally normal so I basically decided I needed to stop looking into this. Then pain in my limbs and feet started to worsen (foot pain so bad I can barely walk this week). Was reading about peripheral neuropathy being a symptom of hypothyroidism and now I’m confused again. My only hesitation is I’d had the collection kit ages and didn’t check the expiry date, not sure if that could have affected results.

Why would the results be so different? Surely if there was a problem it wouldn’t improve like that?

I’ve just been looking at the medichecks site and want to get another panel done with vitamin checks too. They offer RT3 but it’s so much more expensive. Reading the description it seems like it could be useful to get it done but wondering how crucial it is.

[Greybeard]

Personally I wouldn't be interested in rt3 my reasoning is that you have good conversion from ft4 to ft3, less than 4 to 1 is seen as good, yours is 15.5 divided by 4.93 so about 3 to 1. Have you had your vitamin d tested?

[cupcakegirl]

Thanks, that’s really useful. I think I’ll go for the thyroid tests without rt3 and with vitamin checks and take it from there. Can’t remember when vit D was checked last.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

These can cause symptoms in their own right. Or can also upset Thyroid

Low vitamin D often causes joint pain

Ask you GP to test or test privately

Vitamin D only via vitamindtest.org.uk £28

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

[waveylines]

I agree with Slowdragon. Low vitamin B12 causes all sort of symptoms like fatigue, peripheral nerve symptoms, dizziness.....etc. So its important to get blood tests done that SlowDragon recommends.

[bd79og]

I've just ordered the thyroid ultravit test from medichecks which has £20 off today though they suggest using blood draw not finger tip which puts the price up but I have successfully used blue horizon for the same tests and done finger tip so I'm going to risk it. They offered me a £15 off for a friend at this link medichecks.mention-me.com/m... if you want to try it ! good luck, supplementing b12 a few years ago when my level was very low made me feel better for months though off again at the moment (hence the test to try and see what might be up).