More blood results.

[Treacle028]

Hi all I have previously posted results but had no t3. I have now got a new set of fasting bloods taken.

Results are free t3- 4.3 (3.1)

T4- 9.2 (12-22)

Tsh - 2.28 (0.27-4.20)

Ndt taken 24 hours before blood draw. Thyroid s 2 grains per day.

Thanks

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Treacle028

As explained in your previous post

When having blood tests, make sure that your last dose of NDT is 8-12 hours before the blood draw. Any closer than that and you'll get a false high FT3, any longer and you'll get a false low.

So having left 24 hours between your last dose of NDT and blood draw, you have a false low FT3.

However, your TSH at 2.28 is high for someone on thyroid hormone replacement, particularly NDT as that tends to give a low, even suppressed, TSH. So that suggests you are undermedicated if you are still symptomatic.

[Treacle028 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for replying SeasideSusie. I just feel tired and fatigued all the time, low blood pressure and breathlessness just from walking a flight of stairs. I usually exercise 2/3 times a week but lately I just don't have the energy.

My Dr has requested I go back on levo to see if my symptons improve plus the endo will not see me if I'm on ndt.

I reluctantly agreed however my previous experience of Levo was horrendous.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Treacle028]

Treacle028

My Dr has requested I go back on levo to see if my symptons improve plus the endo will not see me if I'm on ndt. I reluctantly agreed however my previous experience of Levo was horrendous.

I went through something very similar to this almost 20 years ago, it is something I would never repeat and I would not recommend anyone to do it. But, of course, I speak from experience.

I was seeing a well respected private thyroid doctor and I had tried various combinations of NDT, NDT with T3, T3 alone, back to NDT. I ran out of money and had to go back to GP who sent me to an endo who was a bully and a jerk. He insisted on my coming off NDT and going back on Levo. He wanted my TSH within range (it was below). He refused to continue to see me until I agreed. Over the next few months I saw him 3 times, each time my Levo was lowered and lowered until my TSH came into range. But my FT4 and FT3 fell and fell until they were bottom of range. Endo was happy, my TSH came back into the low end of the range. I was extremely unwell, he had turned me into a zombie who had to give up working in my own business and needed looking after. I told my GP I would not go back to the endo again. My GP disagreed with the dose the endo had me on and increased it, but the damage was done and I needed looking after for 2 years. I honestly don't think I've ever recovered properly from this.

Whilst I understand why you have agreed, unless your endo is an experienced, open minded thyroid specialist rather than a diabetes specialist (which most of them are and have little to no knowledge of treating hypothyroidism properly) then you could very well end up in a similar situation to mine.

You are currently tired, fatigued and breathless because you are undermedicated with your NDT. You need enough to get your TSH down to below 1 and your FT3 in the upper part of the range. Why not just increase your NDT? Why are you seeing an endo and not continuing with your NDT, especially as you say your previous experience of Levo was horrendous?

[Treacle028 in reply to SeasideSusie]

That sounds a terrible experience. My Dr had previous wrote to endo last year and they refused to see me. Said if I would go back on Levo there would be a better chance of seeing endo.

I have been on ndt for over two years and no major issues and always felt much better. On Levo I was like a psychopath...

I feel I have adrenal issues but all tests are in range.

I was considering going private to endo, I Will way up my options.

Thanks once again, you have had quite a journey yourself.