Hi everyone,
My recent blood results are below.
TSH 1.17 (0.27- 4.2)
T4 13.6 (10.5-24.5)
I'm currently on 6.25mcg of t3 and 37.5mcg of levo.
Do these look right? My Gp said it's good and nothing else..😏
Still feel horrible with headaches and fatigue, mood swings , breathlessness, air hunger.
I also take 2x ferrous fumerate, b12, folate, magnesium, vit c& selenium.
Also what do you're levels have to be to conceive?
Any advice highly appreciated x
Maya_83
When taking T3 then it's essential to test FT3, otherwise it's impossible to know if you are taking too little or too much. If your GP can't get FT3 tested, then like hundreds of us here you need to do a private test with Blue Horizon or Medichekcs, but FT4 and FT3 should be done together, not FT3 on it's own.
What are your current nutrient levels?
I've used medichecks before seasideSusie but it's impossible to keep up with the costs.
Vit D 182
B12 1227 (120-1000)
Ferritin 165 (13-150)
Folate 16.7 (3.8 -9999)
But when on T3 you have to test FT3.
Your current results show you may be undermedicated because TSH is 1.17 (0.27- 4.2) and when on T3 this tends to lower, even suppress TSH. So you are possibly not on enough T3. But with FT
4 13.6 (10.5-24.5)
this might also mean that you're not on enough Levo either. I take both Levo and T3 and I need FT4 and FT3 to both be around 75% through range, other people feel fine with a much lower FT4 when FT3 is in the upper part of the range. So much tweaking may be necessary when on a combination and trying to find the right doses, but you have to know where your FT3 lies when taking T3, you can't ignore it.
B12 1227 (120-1000)
Depending on how much B12 you are taking, you could maybe drop down to a maintenance dose now. I only take 1000mcg twice a week to maintain my level at around the 1000 mark. No point in paying to excrete excess.
If your ferrous fumarate is prescribed, is your GP keeping an eye on your ferritin/iron levels?
Taking the doses you describe - I think it’s extremely unlikely you’re on enough thyroid hormone replacement. You’re on hardly any levothyroxine and a tiny dose of liothyronine. But taking even a small amount of T3 will make TSH go low. As Susie says, you need an FT3 result to be sure - but I would be seeking an increase in dose, either Levo or liothyronine (preferably both).
Would you say upping my Levo to 50mcg for now be ok?
I had hyper symptoms when I was on 75mcg of Levo only.
What hyper symptoms did you have? One has to be very careful with symptoms because so many of them cross over from hyper to hypo.
On T3 you have to test FT3, FT4 and TSH
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, make sure to take last dose exactly 12 hours prior to test
That's exactly how I did the test. Blood test I did myself at half 8 without eating or drinking. T3 was taking around 12 hrs prior to test.
If your GP knows you are also on T3 he should say so on blood test and then blood lab would have to include FT3 test
Your FT4 is too low.
Go is unaware of t3, I'm self medicating. He also refused me refer me to endo as he said hypo patients are managed within gp practices,, is that true, do you know?
Suggest you increase Levo dose up to 50mcg and then absolutely essential to retest TSH, FT3 and FT4 privately after 6-8 weeks
Many of us find once started on T3, FT4 drops too as body realises what it's been missing and starts working better.
Then can/need to slowly increase Levo. Only 12.5mcg at a time and always retesting 6-8 weeks later
You may need to repeat this slow increase
You are only taking a tiny dose of T3. Suspect you need to add second 6.25 dose in afternoon, but without FT3 test you can't tell.
I would suggest you increase Levo first. Get tested then review which one to increase
Come back to forum and ask advice
Never ever increase both at once
Yes you are entitled to a referral to an endocrinologist, but you need to pick one with great care.
Roughly where in the UK are you?
Email Thyroid UK for list of recommended thyroid specialists, some are T3 friendly. A few are NHS
please email Dionne
tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
Private consultation typically costs £250.
Increasing to 50mcg of levo alternative, will that be better or just go for 50mcg per day? I'm scared of getting hyper symptoms mainly the heart racing.
I take Levo and t3 in the morning together. Is that ok too?
I used to take Levo at night and t3 around lunch time, but found I couldn't sleep much . Also still had all the symptoms.
So the Ft4 dropping means it's a good thing ?
I'm in East London x
FT4 dropping shows you need more Levothyroxine
Racing heart can be due to low FT3. It doesn't definitely mean over treatment
When heart is starved of FT3 it can beat faster
Also just noticed you mentioned TTC
There are almost no endocrinologists who will allow T3 during pregnancy. It's still considered too experimental
You will need to get Levothyroxine dose increased slowly
Its not uncommon to need to increase dose in smaller steps that 25mcg at a time, especially if been left on too small a dose for far too long
If you find you feel a bit hyper after a 25mcg dose increase in Levothyroxine then drop back by 12.5mcg for 2-3 weeks
NICE guidelines saying how to initiate and increase. Note that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine
cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...
SlowDragon...
As of today I found out that I'm pregnant! Woohoo... so happy.
I'm about 4weeks + ..
After your advice based on this results above I upped my dose of Levo to 50mcg everyday for 3weeks, then was feeling rough so reduced it to only Monday and Friday to 50mcg, rest of the day 37.5mcg for the past 3 weeks now t3 6.25mcg remained the same daily. So was planning to 'retest bloods in another 3 weeks time but today I found out that I'm pregnant...
What should I do now... ?
Should I tell my gp I'm self medicating with t3?
Also I'm on magnesium, cod liver oil, mythefolate biotin, iron supplements, vit d.
Should I continue with all these? And anything else I should add??
Thank you for all your advice .
Is your gp prescribing T3 ? It seems negligent to me for gp to not test fT3 if you are taking T3. I agree with posts above that you probably need a dose increase but need a fT3 test. I know it’s expensive but it’s the one test that is important when you’re taking T3. It’s so easy to move in the wrong direction. T4 may also be helpful. Personally I don’t find tsh at all helpful. NHS could have saved £x for every TSH test I’ve had over the last 25 years. Too high FT3 is very unpleasant so it’s best to avoid if possible. x
Get your free t3 & Ft4 and CBC then re-post your results. May peace be upon you, as you go forward.
Still not feeling well following RAI in January
Feeling the effect of a dose increase after 8 hours?
Why feel better first after an increase?
Is it normal to feel terrible after increasing Levothyroxine dose?
Can I change from levothyroxine if I still don't feel well? 
