Managed to get lab print with ranges: I put up my... - Thyroid UK

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Managed to get lab print with ranges

Gym4me profile image
26 Replies

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

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Gym4me
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26 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

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

Gym4me profile image
Gym4me in reply toSlowDragon

This test was done at 12.30. I take several supplements

CoQ10

Vit D3 50ug

Vit C 500mg

Ginkgo Bilboba 30mg

Garlic 3mg

Omega 3 fish oil

Korean Ginseng 500mg

Brewers Yeast 500mg

Magnesium Citrate 100mg

Calcium 500mg

Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Zinc 15mg

Multivitamin/mineral

Just started Vit B12 100ug and Vit K2 90ug

I also have type 2 diabetes, diet controlled

Gym4me profile image
Gym4me in reply toGym4me

Should read Ginseng Biloba!

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.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toGym4me

Multivitamins generally have iodine in. Not a good idea if you have Hashimoto's

drknews.com/iodine-and-hash...

Stop any supplements that contain biotin 3-5 days before any blood test

You need folate tested too

Gym4me profile image
Gym4me in reply toSlowDragon

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!

greygoose profile image
greygoose

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?

Gym4me profile image
Gym4me in reply togreygoose

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.

Thank you for advising me!

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toGym4me

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.

Gym4me profile image
Gym4me in reply togreygoose

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.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toGym4me

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. :)

Gym4me profile image
Gym4me in reply togreygoose

Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toGym4me

You're very welcome. :)

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toGym4me

Essential to test vitamin levels first before considering introducing T3

Plus you need to know if you have Hashimoto's. If vitamins are low especially, gluten intolerance is often hidden issue

Gym4me profile image
Gym4me in reply toSlowDragon

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.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toGym4me

Personally I would test privately

Needs to be 6-8 weeks after any dose change.

8-10 weeks probably better after dose reduction

NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

Gym4me profile image
Gym4me in reply toSlowDragon

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).

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toGym4me

So on reduced dose it may drop lower (doesn't always)

Most people need FT3 at least over 5 to feel well

Both TPO and TG Antibodies need testing, if never been done

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

Gym4me profile image
Gym4me in reply toSlowDragon

I am going to request for antibodies to be tested. Hopefully the GP will agree! It will be interesting to see my other results at next test.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toGym4me

You will need both TPO and TG antibodies tested.

If TSH is within range lab often refuses to test either antibodies even if GP has requested.

If TPO are negative then Lab usually refuses to test TG antibodies

Gym4me profile image
Gym4me in reply toSlowDragon

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!

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toGym4me

Did he agree to test anti-bodies ?

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toGym4me

Did you have those tests done ? B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD ?

Gym4me profile image
Gym4me in reply toMarz

He only agreed to test Ferritin, which was said to be normal at 50!

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toGym4me

Have you considered private testing through Thyroid UK - Like 1,000's on this forum do ... ?

Gym4me profile image
Gym4me in reply toMarz

I am a pensioner and it is really too costly from me, but thanks for replying.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply toGym4me

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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