Ok, so after spending a significant amount if time on here over the last 4 days, I went to the gp this morning to get copies of all my bloods since sept... there’s a few!
Am I right in thinking I can still not be converting to T3 even if my TSH is in range, ie below 1??
This will be the first of many questions as I start my one-woman mission to get well again, so beware!
(Such a fab resource though, thanks everyone!)
Yes, that's possible - some have poor conversion. If you can share your results, people will be able to comment and give more tailored advice.
Ok, I’ve added a photo of my results dating back to last sept into my post... hopefully you cN read it!
Thanks! I'm not confident enough to comment myself, but hope someone will be along soon to pass comment for you!
I don't see T3 results on the list - did they test it at all?
Murphysmum
Difficult to read with your results showing sideways.
There is no FT3 result, which is essential to know if you are converting well enough. TSH, FT4 and FT3 must all be done at the same time from the same blood draw to know this.
Your ferritin was low in September 2017. It needs to be at least 70 for thyroid hormone to work, including conversion. You would need to know your current level of ferritin, and other nutrient levels, as well.
I’m sorry, I know they’re not easy to read - it was the only way it fitted!
Thank you - I thought that about the ferritin, gp said ‘it’s in range’!
Will nhs test for t3 if asked? I may well do a private one anyway to check other things but if I can get one for free...😉
Doctors may or may not test T3, but even if you get the doctor to agree, sometimes the lab refuses to run the test. Worth a try though!
Medichecks do special offers for "thyroid Thursdays" be sure to check them out tomorrow/on future Thursday's to see if you can get a good deal for any tests!
My problem with the private tests is I’m not sure where to start!! I definitely need t3 tested, but after being very ill last year, I’m still struggling to recover. Gp has diagnosed cfs.
I suspect adrenals were at play as I’d had a traumatic year and I know I was running on adrenaline for about 6 months!
I also suspect maybe I have absorption issues so maybe selenium etc are low too. My mg levels have picked up a bit and I’m continuing to take supps.
I have a family history of auto immune so I found firmly believe it’s not cfs and there’s something strange going on with my thyroid/adrenals/hpa axis.
I’m willing to pay to get my health back on track (hopefully) but I’d like to do it in the most economical way!!
I would recommend seeing a nutritionist, if you can afford to. They will point you towards which tests will benefit you (I can PM you details for my Nutritionist if you're near Glasgow)
I would recommend reading Izabella Wentz' Hashimotos Protocol if you don't go with a nutritionist. It has a section on supporting the adrenals. From what she was saying, we can safely take up to 700mcg of selenium a day anyway, so taking the recommended dose of 200mcg won't hurt.
If you suspect adrenals, I think the testing starts from £70, the Hashimotos protocol gives vitamin recommendations for supporting the adrenals as well.
If you go with medichecks, I'd recommend this one for full vitamins as well: medichecks.com/thyroid-func... (similar test available from Thriva for £84, doesn't test TT4)
Murphysmum
For the ferritin, eating liver regularly will help. No more than 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content.
As Cooper27 says, the lab tends to make the decision as to whether FT3 is tested.
Just as an aside - I have noticed recently that I regularly have some discomfort in my abdomen. All movements etc are normal (sorry tmi!!) but I also had more severe pain last year when more unwell.
Could this be related too? People have told me lots about gluten... would an intolerance give me pain like that, pretty much one place, dull ache?
Sorry, maybe requires a new post!
Hard to say. Only way to know is to cut out gluten, them reintroduce. I would recommend you get tested for coeliac disease before you cut out gluten though!
I read this somewhere else too. Am I being thick? (Probably!)
Why would you not want to stop gluten if you think your coeliac..... isn’t that the point?
To be tested for coeliac disease, you need to have been eating gluten daily for the prior 6 weeks. I know quite a few people who have given up gluten, then reacted badly when they tried to eat it again. They suspect coeliac disease, but aren't able to be tested anymore. Ultimately you'd be giving up gluten anyway, but a coeliac diagnosis gets your doctor to sit up!
Can i ask... how does thyroid antibody appear on your results? Im Assuming I haven’t had it tested...
You need vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin tested
Your TSH was far too high earlier in year. No FT3 test at all
Strictly gluten free diet helps many many people with Hashimoto's
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
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)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first plus vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin
amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...
chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...
drknews.com/changing-your-d...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
Have you had change in brand of Levothyroxine?
Always stick on same brand
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies. Plus very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies
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.
All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
TSH level 
TSH Level
Tsh level 
tsh level
Suppressed TSH confusion (heart disease, osteoporosis)
