I got my Medichecks results today. My T4 and TSH haven't changed so didn't post them but hopefully they will improve soon as my dose has been altered. My T3 is "normal" but should it be in more optimal range? My TPO is still elevated but has dropped from 600. My TG is above range too...what does TG mean...is it still to do with Hashis like my TPO? Is there anything I can do for this?
TG antibodies are thyroid antibodies and confirm Hashi's just
as your TPO antibodies do. You've had information and links given by SlowDragon in previous posts. Just follow that advice regarding your Hashi's.
As for your FT3, you can't take that result in isolation, it has to be looked at with FT4 and TSH. You already know from replies to previous posts that the aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their ranges if that is where you feel well.
What is your current dose of Levo and what are your other results? When we have that information we can comment on your FT3 in relation to your other results.
I am aware of my t4 and tsh that's why I didn't post them as I said..they are the same as the last time I posted them and they are not optimal but are normal. I have just increased my levo dose from 75mch every day to 75mcg and 100mcg alternating days, as I stated so any changes of t4 and tsh won't be showing as of yet and j wasn't concerned about the result for that yet. I only showed my t3 to try and not repeat myself from my previous post.
I have read and printed out all the articles given and understand the tpo and all about the hashis now (well as much as I can), but I was just unsure about the TG test so that is why I was asking what it shows for as I thought it may be slightly different.
So like I said I am aware that my t4 and tsh are not optimal. I was just wondering if my t3 is in an optimal range and if not is there something I can do about it.
Don't forget some of us are new to all this and still trying to figure it out and being belittled doesn't help.
Any insight to my t3 would be greatly appreciated.
I cannot understand why you think I have belittled you. I am trying to help.
It's actually helpful to either link back to a previous post for information, or repeat in a new post, which then means anyone responding doesn't have to spend time searching your past posts (which some members have objected to in the past).
As I said you can't take FT3 in isolation. It must be looked at with the current TSH and FT4 results to make sense of anything. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it needs to be for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their respective reference ranges when on Levo if that is where you feel well. Once TSH is down to around 1 or below, then your FT4 and FT3 results will show whether your conversion is good or poor. If conversion turns out to be poor then you can address that issue.
In the meantime, to aid conversion you need optimal nutrient levels (Vit D, B12, Folate, Ferritin) so that thyroid hormone can work properly, and supplementing with selenium l-selenomethionine can help (you could test that and if low nor more than 200mcg daily).
I have started my b12 and will introduce the others that I was low in over the next few weeks.
Will see what my next blood tests show after I have been on this new dose for 6 weeks and hopefully my t4 and tsh have improved and my t3 function improves slightly.
Results show you are undermedicated and need an increase in levo. You are aiming for TSH under 1, FT4 around 19 and FT3 around 5.5, or wherever they need to be for you to feel well and symptom-free.
Did your GP increase dose by 25mcg after last test? How long ago was that?
You may need futher 25mcg dose increase(s), until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range, but most find FT3 needs to be above 5 or even 5.5
TG antibodies should reduce as TSH reduces
TPO often reduce slowly after going strictly gluten free
Yes they increased my levo by 25mcg every second day for now...but it's only been a week so I don't expect great results in that area just yet.
Thanks for your explanation. I have a holiday next week and then I am going gluten free soon as i am back, so hopefully will see a drop in the tpo then.
Great about the TG. I'll keep an eye on that too when I do the next full test.
I will also see then about the t3, but is there a separate way to try and raise this or can just taking levo do that too..although it is just t4 I am aware.
Yep ...well she was reluctant to even give me every 2nd day as my levels are "normal" even though I am symptomatic... but she seems willing to try so if my next results haven't improved much I'll push for the 100mcg daily and see how it all goes.
I was thinking of asking about ndt too but not sure how that works here in the UK but I'll give the levo a chance. Only thing I read was it contains gluten so not good if you choose to go gluten free...but I haven't actually looked into the ingredients yet myself to confirm this.
Thanks for the article. I'll print it and read it later! Thanks again for allbyour help. Slowly getting my head around it all and have a vague understand now... have learnt I have to advocate for myself to the Dr so I'm learning to listen to my body to I can do this!
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