On NDT: TSH still high, low FT4, but fT3 is OK

[ondrej41]

Here are my results before starting hormones, I felt very hypothyroid

TSH 6,01

fT4 13,8 (9-19) midrange

fT3 4,2 (2,6 - 5,7)

Now with this results I feel much better, but still not good enough and not stable during the day

TSH 3,76 (0,3 - 4)

fT4 13,97 (12 - 22)

low range

fT3 5,5 (3,1 - 6,8)

The last T3 dose was taken 8 hours before the test.

Now I am on 1 grain and 25 mcg Levo per day. Previously I was on 1,5 grain+12,5 Levo since July, but sometimes felt some overstimulation from T3, so decided to cut T3.

From the 01.09 I took 1 grain and 50 Levo. After some improvement in wake up temperature and feelings I became feel unwell, so I stopped all the Levo, left only NDT. After 1 week started to feel much better. For 3 days I had refreshed sleep and felt very energetic, happy to live, great metabolism. Then I became to feel gradually worse, especially after wake up. So after 2 weeks without any Levo I added 25 mcg of Levo, because, given 7 days half-life period of living of T4, I thought my body has gradually run out of T4.

I am not feel better now, I still have some degree of hypothyroid symptoms. I can feel great as it was some weeks ago, but can't achieve the balance. The biggest problem is that I wake up unrefreshed and hypothyroid, but after taking half of NDT I feel better and energetic for some hours. If I take T3 during the sleep, I wake up overstimulated, likely having too high cortisol.

Could you suggest next step? I am thinking to cut NDT to 0,75 or 0,25 grain and back to Levo. Because on Levo I could feel continiously well and wake up at least OK for a week or so before the symptoms come back.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common and often need supplementing to improve

Do you have Hashimoto's? Diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, take last dose 24 hours prior to test, and take next dose straight after test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If also on T3 or NDT make sure to take last dose exactly 12 hours prior to test

Come back with new post once you have results and ranges

Poor sleep can be low vitamin D and/or B vitamins

[ondrej41 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for replying. I think I will make new post with blood results, because there is something going on with them, which I cannot explain on alone