Recent thyroid test results need advice

[Return2sender]

Hi there,

Need advice as the doctor just says everything is ok and within range

My recent tests this week have just been read out over the phone and she only gave me three results saying the lab refused to do a reverse T3

FreeT3 5.1pmol/L

Free T4 13.9pmol/L

TSH 1.6 mu/L

Vit D 82

I am currently on 125 mug of levo and still feel lethargic at times throughout the day.

I have just purchased some T3 25mcg cytomel from a reputable thread from this site and they have arrived. I would like to try a combo and start with a low T3 dose.

I would like to know if looking at these results you feel that I should start T3 and at a recommended dose.

I am 54 years old, 5”7 and weighing 91kg so a couple of stone over weight and due to a degenerative spine I am unable to do any high impact exercise. I do walk the dog and eat healthy and try to avoid carbs, but it does not seem to take the weight off. So I feel more lethargic with the more I carry on my back.

Thank you

[greygoose]

It's possible that avoiding carbs has lead to your poor conversion - if you do have poor conversion, but it's impossible to tell without the ranges. Can you add them in, please.

The NHS doesn't do rT3. It's a very expensive test, and of very limited use. It will tell you if you have a problem but not where that problem lies. So, if it's high, you won't know what to do about it. Contrary to popular belief, taking T3 does not 'purge' your rT3.

[Return2sender in reply to greygoose]

I’m sorry, but the NHS results seem limited. I do eat carbs, but try to stick to the healthier ones and try to avoid bread and potatoes, but will have occasionally.

[greygoose in reply to Return2sender]

Yes, they are limited, but we still need the ranges.

The range would be the numbers in brackets after the result - e.g.

TSH 3.1 (0.25 - 4.9)

Just an example. Results without ranges are meaningless, because ranges vary from lab to lab.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Return2sender

Can you add the reference ranges for your results please. It's not possible to know if your FT4 is low, mid-range or near the top, or where your FT3 lies in range. Ranges vary from lab to lab so we need your ranges to interpret your results. It's always best to ask for a print out of your results as then no mistakes can be made with figures. Just ask at reception for them.

Looking at your results, your T4 to T3 conversion is good and shows no need for the addition of T3, but lets see the ranges to make sure.

You are actually a little undermedicated to have a TSH of 1.6 as 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.

Is your Vit D 82nmol/L - if so then it is a little low. The Vit D Council recommends a level of 100-150nmol/L so you could nudge that up a bit.

Do you have results for

B12

Folate

Ferritin - particularly important as it needs to be half way through range for thyroid hormone to work properly.

[Return2sender in reply to SeasideSusie]

The nhs results do not appear to show everything, so limited in all the information.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Return2sender]

Return2sender

Have you got a print out then?

If you haven't had those other tests done you can ask. Or you can do what hundreds of us here do and get a thyroid/vitamin bundle test with Medichecks or Blue Horizon to get a full picture.