I put up my first post 9 days ago with results from my recent test but I did not have the ranges. According to the GP I was over treated although I had no symptoms to justify. My Levothyroxine was reduced fro 100mcg to 75mcg. I now have the lab print out which gives the following:
TSH - 0.03 (0.35 - 5.00) mu/f
FT4 - 24.2 (9.0 - 21) pmol/l
FT3 - 4.4 (3.0 - 6.0) pmol/l
I hope this helps to get some advice based on the above. To be tested again in 2 months.
Thanks
Written by
Gym4me
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All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo 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)
Is this how you did the test?
Your results show you are probably a poor converter
TSH very low
FT4 slightly over range
FT3 too low
On reduced dose FT3 will drop futher
You need thyroid antibodies tested, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
What supplements do you currently take
Selenium supplements can help improve conversion of FT4 to FT3
I will ensure that my next test is in the early morning and will not take Levo 24 hours before. I will also ask for Vit D, Vit B12 and ferritin and will get selenium supplement.
Thank you. I had been reading up on Biotin, which is contained in Brewer’s Yeast and the multi vitamins, so will definitely stop both three days before testing. Thanks!
Well, you were over-medicated on levo. Trouble was, you can't convert it very well and your FT3 is very low. What you need is some T3 added to your reduced dose of levo. But, I don't suppose your doctor will agree - or even understand why. Maybe you should consider buying your own?
I am considering buying it but wonder if I should wait for the next results and discuss with my GP? It is so strange that I had not symptoms of being over treated but still have symptoms of hypothyroid eg constipation, very dry skin and great difficulty losing weight. I have been on a low carb diet for two months and in the last month have lost no weight. I am so tired, feel that I am slowing down. I did have a GP who prescribed based on symptoms but he retired and now they just do not care.
It's not strange at all. Your FT3 is low, and that's what causes symptoms - not the TSH or the FT4. You couldn't possibly have symptoms of being over-treated with such a low FT3.
It could be your low-carb diet the problem. You need carbs to convert. If you don't convert, your FT3 drops, you become more hypo and put on more weight. There's no mystery.
Thank you again. My dilemma is that low carb is recommended for lowering blood glucose for type 2 diabetes. However I will change my diet from low carb because my thyroid symptoms are the outstanding problem here as my diabetic control is good. How would I know the correct dosage of T3 to take? I wish I had joined this forum a long time ago because there is so much that I have learned already in just a couple of posts.
You cannot know which is the right dose of T3 to take. You just do as you would with any other hormone : start low and increase slowly.
Start with a 1/4 tablet of T3, reducing your levo by 25 mcg, and increase by 1/4 tablet every 2 weeks until you get to one whole tablet, then hold for six weeks and retest.
I am going to request Vit D, Vit B12, folate, ferritin and antibodies as well as full thyroid test at my next due date of 6 Oct. That is the date I have been given to test, 2 months after the reduction from 100mcg to 75mcg. It cannot come fast enough because I am already feeling worse than I did.
Apparently the lab used by my surgery now tests for FT3. The print out has a note that says (Note new FT3 in use from 01/02/18). I live in Scotland. My FT3 on this print out was 4.4 (3.0 - 6.0).
I will get a private test if either the GP or lab refuse. Thanks for that advice. It is so bad that there has to be such a fight to make sure that your health needs are addressed but I mean to persevere!
Yes I am a pensioner too - and pay for my tests here in Crete ! Have you looked at the websites for Private Testing - they sometimes have offers. Medichecks do on Thursdays - posted here on the Forum ...
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