weird results

Hi, does anyone know what causes high ft3 , low (not off scale) FT4 and high TSH please.

I just thought in hypothyroidism the active FT3 is low. Mines almost over.

I respond badly to levothyroxine.

Thank you.

[greygoose]

I answered this question on your last thread.

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I'd like to hear more suggestions. Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You have Hashimoto's. Levels fluctuate.

Are you Levothyroxine yet

Have you had vitamin levels tested and tried strictly gluten free diet as suggested previously

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I do indeed, I have antibodies.

No I don't take levo. It knocks me out to sleep and makes me gain weight it's awful. Im just here to listen to peoples views that's all.

My levels have changed since I last posted.

Neither my doctor or endo say I need Levo yet. For various reasons.

It's hard to take a pill that makes me feel so ill, it makes me wonder why it's not working for me.

So basically my FT3 and FT4 have risen, along with my TSH.

Antibodies gone down by 1000, to 100.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Yes I did have vitamins tested, I was low on b12 so he gave me a shot in my arm

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

My periods also stop when I take Levo .

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Well we have to start on only low dose (typically 50mcg) and slowly increase dose in 25mcg steps. Waiting at least 6-8 weeks and retesting bloods.

NHS guidelines saying standard starter dose is 50mcgs

beta.nhs.uk/medicines/levot...

Guidelines on Subclinical - raised TSH, but FT3 and FT4 in range

gp-update.co.uk/files/docs/...

It's extremely common to feel grim on low dose. But can difficult to start on higher dose if been hypothyroid sometime

Low vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 are result of being hypothyroid and low stomach acid often makes it difficult to absorb nutrients

Gluten free diet helps many

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

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...

[Angel_of_the_North]

It is very usual for free T3 to be relatively higher than free T4 in untreated hypothyroidism as the body tries to produce enough T3 to stop you dying. Eventually there won't be enough t4 to convert and free T3 will fall.

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It started low then went high.

To stop me dying ?! Yikes !! Sounds extremely serious !!! and I feel so healthy I'm slim I have lots of energy. I guess I'm waiting for it to hit me. I tried many ways with the Levo, I gained weight and became exhausted with dry skin everytime.

I'll keep posting my results anyway.

Thank you for replying to me, even though it sounds like I'm doomed 😂 Is there no such thing as a flare up or remission in this disease ? Feel like I should be house bound and 50 stone reading these ?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Sounds like early stage Hashimoto's. Levels fluctuate, often high initially for while, then start going low more frequently

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

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Thanks for taking the time to reply I appreciate it so much

Thank you

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Slow dragon, when FT3 is blood tested , is the result a combination of FT3 and RT3?

i know rt3 must be tested separately , but I'd like to know above question.

Can't believe how serious this all sounds I've felt nothing but depressed reading all this , I'm making t3 to keep me alive ! Whaaat!! If I have no t4 then what am I making t3 out of? I want to cry !

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

NHS doesn't test Reverse T3. It's not a relevant test for you. You would only consider testing RT3 if FT4 was very high

Early on in Hashimoto's, the thyroid antibodies attack the thyroid. As the thyroid cells break down and are destroyed in the attack, the levels of thyroid hormones fluctuate.

A Hashimoto's flare is when a large amount of thyroid cells are released into the blood. (High FT3) You can feel slightly hyper, lots of energy and can loose some weight.

But each time this happens, there's a little bit less of your thyroid left to carry on.

Hence rising TSH as thyroid has to work harder and falling FT4 levels

[Hidden]

i understand now Does 2 years sound about right for this to begin happening?

Very disappointed I thought I was feeling better

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My FT4 is also rising.

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Would you recommend I begin the Levo ? will it affect my already over FT3 ?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Getting vitamins optimal (testing first) and absolutely strictly gluten free diet may slow it down

Read as much as possible about Hashimoto's

The Thyroid Secret is good video series.