Oops I did it again...

[infomaniac]

...and stopped both my T4 and T3 for 24 hrs prior to my blood test.

My results in March (when I stupidly made the same error) and was taking 125mcg T4 and 12.5mcg T3 were:

T4 FREE 1.20 (0.80 - 1.80)

T3 TOTAL 1.02 (0.59 - 2.00)

TSH 0.07 (0.23 - 5.50)

My latest results, taking 100mcg T4 & 18.75 T3 are:

T4 TOTAL 8.22 (4.20 -12.00)

T3 FREE 2.91 (2.00 - 4.40)

TSH 0.005 (0.23-5.50)

My T4 has dropped quite a bit obviously due to me reducing Levo. Is this cause for concern?

Also can anyone advise if there is room for an increase in T3, bearing in mind my readings will I assume be artificially low?

Thanks a lot

[mistydog]

You have the wrong bloods, you need the free T4 and free T3.

You should have stopped them both, T3 only 12 hrs but I doubt it would make that much difference. What time were the bloods taken.

[infomaniac in reply to mistydog]

I asked for Free T3 & T4 but I live in Spain so I just have to take what I get unfortunately.

[shaws Administrator]

Don't get too tied up with the results from blood tests and concentrate on how 'you feel' with particular doses. If symptomatic, you need an increase. If you feel quite well and no symptoms your dose is fine.

[infomaniac in reply to shaws]

Thanks Shaws. I have been having symptoms for quite a while but only in the last few days I have been taking Cynomel instead of Tiromel and I don't know if it's my imagination but I feel much more chipper! I will take your advice and give it a little longer and increase if needed.

[silverfox7]

Results are read differently when taking T3 in any form so TSH should be suppressed, Free T4 can drop down the range and Free T3 should never be over the range. I understand both T3 and T3 can spike after taking them so as you say your results are probably inaccurate.

[infomaniac in reply to silverfox7]

Yes they will be inaccurate. I can't believe I keep making the same mistake time after time! Bloody brain fog

[silverfox7 in reply to infomaniac]

Don't worry we all do daft things from time to time! At least we know why! I always stay in bed after I've taken my meds for an hour as when I go downstairs earlier I eat breakfast!

[humanbean]

I have read suggestions from another member (Clutter, who has given up posting) that if you leave 24 hours between last T3 dose and getting tested then you could add 20% to your Free T3 result to get an approximation of your "normal" Free T3. If you leave 12 hours between last T3 dose and the test then you should add 10% to the actual Free T3 result to get an approximation of your "normal" Free T3.

So it follows from that, that if you add 10% to your Free T3 result (i.e. when you left 24 hours between last dose and test) you'll get an approximation of your Free T3 if you'd left 12 hours between last dose and the test.

Where do these approximations come from? I have no idea at all!

Are they remotely accurate? I have no idea at all!

Will the same suggestion apply to everyone? I have no idea at all!

Have I even accurately remembered what Clutter said on this subject? I have no idea at all!

[infomaniac in reply to humanbean]

Thanks for that Humanbean. I had to read that about four times before I eventually grasped what you meant!! So brain dead these days It might not be totally accurate but at least it's given me a bit of a guideline so that's great. I was wondering what happened to Clutter-she always gave great advice-I hope she's OK.

[humanbean in reply to infomaniac]

Yes, I was aware my explanation was about as clear as mud but I couldn't think of a better way of describing what I meant.

[infomaniac in reply to humanbean]

No don't worry-it's my general denseness at fault!

[Angel_of_the_North]

You can't compare those tests as they are not testing the same things. You need FREE t4 and FREE t3 each time.

[infomaniac in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

As I said above that's what I asked for but the results came back with Total T4 and free T3. Interestingly, my previous results came back with Free T4 and Total T3! It will cost me 40€ to get retested so I'm just going with what I've got.

[humanbean in reply to infomaniac]

Recently I've started seeing Total T3 creeping into a few sets of results from the UK. This baffles me!

[infomaniac in reply to humanbean]

Why's that? Is it not possible to get Total T3?

[humanbean in reply to infomaniac]

Oh yes, I know the Total T3 test exists. But I was under the impression that Free T3 is a superior test. So why is anyone doing the Total T3 when they could do Free t3 instead?

[infomaniac in reply to humanbean]

Ah I see what you mean. It would make more sense wouldn't it?