Should I get free t3 tested privately?

[Heatherlancaster29]

Hi everyone. I'm a little confused. My last TSH was 4.2 - I'm not sure of the range as they won't tell me (highlands of Scotland NHS.) I'm experiencing terrible hashi flare symptoms right now.

My question is: Is it worth getting my free t3 tested privately? If the results come back not in range, I'm not sure what to then do about that... I can only get levothyroxine prescribed and my Drs are so useless when it comes to hashis. So really is there any point getting the test? Is there something I can personally do or gain from the information? Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, I'm just so tired and fed up of the lack of help from my Dr.

[Jazzw]

Hi Heather

If your TSH is 4.2 then you’re undermedicated and need more levothyroxine that you’re currently taking. What dose are you on?

Have a look at the replies to this thread here: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... especially what SlowDragon writes about Toft...

[Heatherlancaster29 in reply to Jazzw]

Thanks for your reply, I'll have a look!

[Jazzw in reply to Heatherlancaster29]

Apologies for my laziness in referring you to another post’s replies - but the situation looked pretty similar and I’m off out in a few minutes and wanted to give you something to get started with...

[Heatherlancaster29 in reply to Jazzw]

No that's ok! It was very useful, it's always good to get information.

I guess I'm still just at a loss as to what I'll do when I get the results... because my Dr will only prescribe levothyroxine. Will it change my dosage or is there anything I can do?

[shaws in reply to Heatherlancaster29]

The aim of prescribing levothyroxine is to bring the TSH down to 1 or lower. Not somewhere in the range where yours is at present.

Do you have your blood tests at the earliest, and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of levothyroxine. Also don't eat before a test as food reduces the TSH and that's all doctors seem to take notice of.

I think you will know that to go 'gluten-free' can help reduce the attack of the antibodies on your thyroid gland.

I would wait until you have had a few more increases in levothyroxine before you get a FT4 and FT3 taken.

If you've not had B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate checked ask for these at your next test as all vitamins/minerals have to be at an optim level.

[greygoose]

I think the same Data Protection Act applies in Scotland, as in England, doesn't it? You are legally entitled to a print-out of your results. They are YOUR results.

[helvella in reply to greygoose]

Yes - it was not an England and Wales act. And the GDPR coming in on 25th May 2018 covers the whole UK. With parallel legislation across the EU.

[greygoose in reply to helvella]

Good to know.

But, in France, we often get our results before the doctor does, if we go to the lab and pick them up.

[helvella in reply to greygoose]

With few exceptions (e.g. terminal cancer diagnosis), any argument for making sure doctor sees them first is at best patronising.

[greygoose in reply to helvella]

Absolutely!

[helvella]

The Information Commissioner's Office is quite clear that information must not be obscured by any form of coding - that would (in my view) include giving you a bare number without a range.

For example, if they coded you with a letter - A, B or C - and those numbers meant underweight, "right weight" or overweight - it would be vital for you to know that if you were handed your records with A, B or C coding! The same underlying principle (being able to appreciate the meaning of your records) MUST apply to reference ranges.

[DippyDame]

That is rediculous, you are legally entitled to that info. I'm also in Highland and have no trouble getting results and ranges...it's not a Highland problem.

How GPs act on the results is another matter however!

Private testing is very much worthwhile. Post results here and you will receive excellent advice. I can vouch for that!

Best...

DD

[SilverAvocado]

Heatherlancaster29, I'd say with a TSH as high as that its not necessary to get freeT3 at this point - its clear it would be low.

This TSH is very high, and its obvious you need a dose increase, and probably several increase in a row. At that point it will become more necessary to look at freeT3 to see if that is still low.

The problem may be that your doctor is satisfied with this TSH just because its in range, which is just disgusting ignorance! Hopefully the Toft paper you've been referred to will be useful.