T3 in range?

[Simplesista]

Hi. I posted my results last week but my T3 wasn’t tested. I have this week managed to get tested again, after getting embarrassingly upset at my GP appointment, and my T3 has been tested this time. These are my results-

TSH 0.10 (0.2-4.0)

T4 20.2 (10.0-20.0)

T3 1.3(0.9-2.5)

My vitamins weren’t tested this week however I have taken on board the excellent advice given here about my levels and am supplementing accordingly.

My antibodies were also tested and remain >1300, which is the same as they were a few months ago, despite me following a gluten free diet.

I’m currently taking 62.5 mcg Levothyroxine as of last Saturday, reduced from 75mcg following advice from here. My GP has also said to take this amount for 8 weeks before testing again.

My main symptom is quite intense weakness in my left arm, including two of my fingers. And pain in my left hip, which has improved considerably since taking Levo, although it hasn’t gone completely.

My question is, is my T3 level ok or do I have a conversion issue?

Thank you very much.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Simplesista

My question is, is my T3 level ok or do I have a conversion issue?

Is that Total T3, it certainly looks like it from the range. As mentioned in your other thread, it's FT3 (Free T3) that we need along with FT4 to know if you convert well or not.

[Simplesista in reply to SeasideSusie]

It says “serum T3 level” on the print out of my results that I have. I don’t think my GP will agree to anymore tests, are the FT3 and FT4 available to have done privately and are they expensive?

Thank you for your input. Ps im eating chicken liver weekly now, since your advice-😊

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Simplesista]

Are you in the UK?

[Simplesista in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes, I am- in delightful Yorkshire!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Simplesista]

OK, I found it. I Googled "Yorkshire CCG thyroid test reference ranges" and found

TSH 0.2 - 4.0 miu/L

free T4 10 - 20 pmol/L

total T3 0.9 - 2.5 nmol/L

So you have had Total T4 tested. Goodness knows why they do this, it doesn't really help at all.

You can get TSH/FT4/FT3 done with Medichecks -Thyroid Monitoring test - and there's 20% off until 30th April. I ordered one yesterday and it's on offer at £31.

Well done on the chicken liver - now watch your ferritin level shoot up

[Simplesista in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you so much, I’ll get that done. It’s being recommended that my Levo is reduced to 50mcg but I’m unsure if this the correct route to take to better health. I’m a fairly well read and qualified individual, in a senior position professionally, with a lot of responsibility for other humans; but this dealing with medical professionals who know not a lot, is a whole different ball game isn’t it? Especially when one isn’t feeling up to much anyway.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Simplesista]

Simplesista

being recommended that my Levo is reduced to 50mcg but I’m unsure if this the correct route to take to better health

Well I wouldn't do it

but this dealing with medical professionals who know not a lot, is a whole different ball game isn’t it?

I daren't get started, I'd never stop

[FancyPants54 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Will chicken liver push ferritin up? I struggle with my ferritin level but I really don't like ordinary liver. But could make a chicken liver pate to eat. Do you think it helps Susie?

[Simplesista in reply to FancyPants54]

I don’t like any other type of liver but I can eat chicken liver. I’ve only had it twice, since seeking advice with my results, once a week so far, about 200g. I’m sure it will work, I have faith in SeasideSusie! (And the nutritional info for chicken liver backs up her advice!)

[FancyPants54 in reply to Simplesista]

How are you eating it? Making something with it or just cooking it somehow and eating it as it is?

[phoenix23002 in reply to FancyPants54]

Fancy... I am in the southern USA and here in the south, we tend to fry a lot of things (pork chops, chicken fried steak, fried chicken). I love my chicken liver dredged in flour and fried in coconut oil. Don't over cook it but you do want it to be done. It is delicious.

[FancyPants54 in reply to phoenix23002]

I'll try that. I like chicken livers anyway. A sprinkling of lemon juice over that would be nice.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to FancyPants54]

FancyPants

The maximum amount of liver is 200g per week (due to it's high Vit A content). You may not need that much. I raised my ferritin by eating 120-140g liver a week as a meal. l don't eat pate and I really don't know how much a normal portion is, but if you can manage about 120g a week it should certainly help raise your ferritin level.

You could always use lamb's liver, cut small or minced, and put it in casseroles, curry, spag bol, cottage pie, any meat dish really. I've also read that you can cook it, cut into small pieces, freeze, then use them as "tablets", but again I don't know how many tablets you'd have to down in a week to reach 120g!

[FancyPants54 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Lambs liver is OK in other things like you suggest. Minced it forms a nice part of a traditional lasagne recipe my husband cooks. But we don't eat that sort of food regularly. I can't eat the liver on it's own. Too many childhood horror memories of that. I shall look into it.

[Simplesista]

Last week I roasted it with spices etc, in the oven, and had it with potatoes. This week I’ve made it into a curry and had it with (gluten free) wraps. Both were surprisingly tasty. I’m all out of ideas, after these two dishes, I may just have them on rotation.

[FancyPants54 in reply to Simplesista]

Spagetti Bolognese will be good if you add some in. It will make the meat sauce nice and rich.