Free T 3

[Bellmitzi]

Hi I’ve had my results today for my free T 3 They are. SERUM FREE T3 level 3.5pmol/L. (3.1-6.8 SERUM TSH LEVEL 1.82mU/L. (0.27-4.20). Last week my Serum TSH was 0.52 I’ve no idea how or which way it should change can someone be so kind to look at them for me please gp said they are fine thanks

[greygoose]

Your FT3 level is most definitely not fine. It is much too low. Especially for someone on 125 mcg levo. You are not converting well.

[Bellmitzi in reply to greygoose]

See the problem I have is the gp keeps saying fine I’m feeling absolutely awful for nearly two years getting to a stage of giving up on everything feeling ill constantly no joke thanks grey goose

[greygoose in reply to Bellmitzi]

Doctors just don't understand T3. They don't seem to realise how important it is. They don't understand about conversion, and they're not very good at reading blood test results! As long as it's somewhere in range, that's fine for them! I would suggest you buy your own T3 and self-treat with it, lowering your levo slightly at the same time.

[Bellmitzi in reply to greygoose]

That’s exactly what I’m goin to try next I definitely cannot go on like this I have seen links on here and I will try to get myself at least a little bit normal thanks so much

[greygoose in reply to Bellmitzi]

You're very welcome.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Bellmitzi]

The problem with doctors is that they seem to believe that as long as the TSH is 'in range' even the top - 4.20 in your range - that we're on a sufficient dose (and words they use are: fine, normal, and o.k.)

That's not the case, the aim is a TSH of 1 or lower with the FT4 and FT3 towards the upper part of the range. These two are rarely tested and read in the link about why we need these especially if still symptomatic.

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

We have to read, ask questions so that we can recover our health. That's why so many source their own thyroid hormones as some doctors refuse to increase dose.

[Bellmitzi in reply to shaws]

Thanks very much for this I will read and may even take to my gp not that it will make any difference but I am also goin to buy T3 as I cannot possibly carry on like this thanks very much I will post to let you know how I’m doin and see how much do I reduce my Levo by I’m now on 125 daily if I start T3 thankyou

[shaws Administrator in reply to Bellmitzi]

Some members find a big change when the add some T3 to T4. One of our Advisers and his Team also confirmed this and their Paper was accepted.

It is said that 25mcg is around 100mcg but some might find it more like 60 to 100mcg but it is how 'we feel' on a particular dose that tells us more than a blood test.

You can either reduce your levo by 50mcg and add half a 25mcg of T3. taking your temp and pulse a couple of times a day. If either goes too high drop to previous dose. After two weeks you can add another 1/4 tablet of T3 going by your symptoms alone. If you want to switch to T3 only just follow reducing T4 and replacing with T3.

The following may be helpful. It is by an Adviser to Thyroiduk.org.uk before his untimely death.

web.archive.org/web/2010112...

[Bellmitzi in reply to shaws]

Thanks very much for this information I will try and fingers crossed feel more my self soon your all so helpful thanks

[shaws Administrator in reply to Bellmitzi]

It is slow but sure. I believe most on the forum have had the experience of wondering why there's not been any improvement when we are, finally, prescribed levothyroxine. I was really puzzled the more I increased dose the worse I was becoming. I'm fine now so hope you will be soon.

[Bellmitzi in reply to shaws]

Awe thankyou I So hope I do and to be honest I’ve gone down hill since my dose of Levo upped I’m baffled lol

[shaws Administrator in reply to Bellmitzi]

I am not baffled now, because I seemed to be worse on levo and I was diagnosed when my TSH (diagnosed myself despite seeing umpteen specialists/doctors and even having an operation I didn't need) was 100.

[Bellmitzi in reply to shaws]

Awe that’s awful I hope you are feeling better now I saw a specialist and he also said I’m fine he didn’t even raise his head whilst speaking to me so rude thanks again

[shaws Administrator in reply to Bellmitzi]

They just look on the paper or monitor at your blood test results. Ignore patient. Better off without him.

[Bellmitzi in reply to shaws]

Yes definitely he was no help at all thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies?

I see you have B12 injections. What are your levels of folate, vitamin D and ferritin like? These, plus B12 all need to be at good levels

As you have B12 injections, do you supplement a good vitamin B complex?

Vitamins need to be optimal for both T4 and T3

If you have Hashimoto's you may find you need to be strictly gluten free diet too

[Bellmitzi in reply to SlowDragon]

Good morning my b12 was up to 2000 on last check I’m goin to order vit D and a B complex today every bone in my body is hurting I’m not a baby of pain been through alote in my life but always bounce back but this is driving me insane I also have a feeling of as if there is something attacking my body inside I’ve told the gp this a friend of mine has ordered me T3 and she told me they are sold in Turkey in pharmacies I go in two weeks so I will find out thanks for your reply I don’t know where I’d be without you all

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bellmitzi]

You won't know how much D3 to take unless you do a Vit D test. Then there's D3's important cofactors that need to be taken as well.

[Bellmitzi in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi this is all what I don’t understand the conversion of T3 and what I should deduct and add to me and brain fog it’s very confusing at the minute thanks for your help

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bellmitzi]

My reply was talking about how much D3 to take and checking your Vit D level.

You're now talking about conversion of T4 to T3.

If you want to know how well you are converting, you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested at the same time. I can only see TSH and FT3 results mentioned here from a previous test.

You said in your opening post

Last week my Serum TSH was 0.52

Were FT4 and FT3 tested at this time?

[Bellmitzi in reply to SeasideSusie]

My blood was Serum TSH Level. 1.82mU/L(0.27-4.20). Free T4 Level. 11.4 pmol/L. (11.0- 25.0 ). Serum free T3. 3.5pmol/L. (3.1-6.8) these bloods were done in the week the T3 being the last done thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bellmitzi]

Were those tests all done from the same blood draw?

**

I can't understand why your TSH is so different ie 1.82 this time but last week 0.52

Were both tests done at the same time of day and fasting? Any change in dose of Levo?

**

When the TSH was 0.52 did you also have FT4 and FT3 tested at the same time?

[Bellmitzi in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi my last week test TSH level was 0.52. The Free T 4 Level was 11.4. This week I had the T3 3.5 and TSH level was 1.82 two separate blood tests only just upped my dose since Monday I fasted and they were both early morning tests

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bellmitzi]

Having a very quick look at a couple of your previous posts, it would seem that you have a very low FT4 and very low FT3 with a low in range TSH. It has been said before that this is unusual.

We don't know if you were originally diagnosed with Primary Hypothyroidism where TSH is high, because you haven't given us that information. I imagine you were because if it was central hypothyroidism you would have had further testing to see if there was a pituitary or hypothalamus problem and I'm sure you would have mentioned that.

So we have the question of why are your FT4 and FT3 so low with a low TSH? It was suggested to bring this up with your GP.

You said you are on a high dose of 3 epilepsy meds. Did you Google for interactions and discuss with your pharmacist the possibility of them affecting your Levo as suggested?

I don't think this is simply a case of you adding T3. There is a lot going on here that needs looking into.

[Bellmitzi in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hello and thanks for taking so much time to help me I had an appointment with the pharmacist in the surgery last week and asked are my other meds interfering he just said no so I think I need to write all this down and go with the questions I need answers for as I am feeling awful your so kind and helpful can’t thank you enough and everyone else too

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bellmitzi]

I think it might be worth doing some Googling before you go. Look for interactions with any medication you take + Levo, also any medication + any other medication until you have covered everything you take.

[Bellmitzi in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes I will be checking every med I take and printing off I’m not goin to be told I’m fine again or I’m goin to loose the plot lol ty

[silverfox7]

Did you get a FT4 result. Conversion is diagnosed by a high FT4 and a low FT3 so FT4 is so much higher than FT 3 because it isn't converting enough if it to T3.

[Bellmitzi]

Hi my FT4 last weeks blood was11.4 pmol/L. (11.0-25.0). Doctors said fine but then when I rang him he upped my dose of Levo by 25 mg so now on 125 daily thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Bellmitzi]

FT4 should be at top of range, at least 18, but around 22 would be better

You were very under medicated

I would wait 6 weeks now you have had dose increase and retest again, before thinking of adding T3

Insist on GP testing ferritin and vitamin D

Or you can get vitamin D test via

Vitamindtest.org.uk £29 postal kit

[Bellmitzi in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks very much I will take the Levo 125 I’m hoping for an over nite miracle which isn’t goin to happen Thanks again to all who have helped me