Are my T4 & T3 levels right ?

[LisaJ1967]

Hi, I have recently insisted on another blood test as I am now another 8lbs heavier (since October) struggle to keep my eyes open and and am generally exhausted. My results are as follows which I am being told are all ok - please can anyone tell me whether these are normal before I pay for a private consultation

Serum Free T4 level = 12.3 pmol/L

Serum TSH level - 1.52 mlU/L

Serum Free Triiodothyronine Level = 5.1 pmol/l (also says FT3 may not be an appropriate indicator of thyrosine adequacy

Please can anyone tell me what this means as I feel like this condition is dragging further down a black hole and don't know where to turn. TIA

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Can you add the ranges on these results

FT4 looks low, should be near top of range

Have you ever had thyroid antibodies tested?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies.

Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Essential to test thyroid antibodies, FT3 and FT4, plus vitamins

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)

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get antibodies tested.

[LisaJ1967 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi this is all the doctors print out says - there are no ranges. So if my T4 is low then I need a higher dose ? If I were to have a private test and it came back that I needed T3 could I insist or it is the case it cost too much so we will have to suffer ?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to LisaJ1967]

Before even thinking about adding T3 you need Vitamin levels and antibodies tested

Dose of Levothyroxine may simply not be high enough yet

Your FT3 actually looks pretty good - but need rages to know for certain

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results including ranges

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need enhanced access to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can make nominal charge for printing but many will do so for free (£10 max and can not charge at all after May 25th 2018)

[LisaJ1967 in reply to SlowDragon]

I have a print out but there are no ranges so will call today and ask for them. Many thanks. I'm sick of being told everything is normal when I have put on 2 stone 9lbs since this started (8lbs in 7 months since my last endocrinology appointment in October 17), I sleep for 8 hours but am falling asleep at my desk and and falling deeper in to this black hole where I don't want to go out of the house and doctors just don't care !

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to LisaJ1967]

1000’s on here forced to do full thyroid and vitamin tests privately

But get copies of all tests you have had first - see what has been tested and how recently

[LisaJ1967 in reply to SlowDragon]

So I've spoken to a private clinic and they have said that my doctor needs to refer me as they need my full history. Not a problem as I'm going to insist she does the referral then if it comes back that my meds needs changing then I will insist they are !

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to LisaJ1967]

If you get full blood tests FIRST and come back here for advice. You may simply have vitamin deficiencies or be on too low a dose of Levo

Blood tests is first step

No point paying to see any consultant until you have ALL these tests. Usually £99 plus £25 for private blood draw or DIY finger prick test. Often on offer for £79 on Thyroid Thursdays

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

If you have Hashimoto's then looking at strictly gluten free diet too

[Jazzw]

How much thyroid replacement hormone are you taking each day? (will just give us an idea of whether it’s likely you’re on too low a dose).

[LisaJ1967 in reply to Jazzw]

Hi I'm on 100mg per day - have been since being diagnosed nearly 2 years ago

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to LisaJ1967]

Low vitamins, gluten and often not being on quite high enough dose, it all adds up

Full testing should reveal more

[Rockingdog54]

Hi lisa

I started Armour NDT 10 days ago after 30 years on levo and fightingmy weight gain every day,I am paniking because I am suddenly a lot more hungry than usual ,I am worried in case its the Armour and I have to go backto levo

All so worrying

Thinking of you

[LisaJ1967 in reply to Rockingdog54]

I'm definitely not over eating - I am becoming paranoid about everything I eat but the weight in just piling on

[Rockingdog54 in reply to LisaJ1967]

I understand lisa I am same x

[LisaJ1967 in reply to Rockingdog54]