FT3 4.3

[Silvers]

Good evening, I am one of the rare lucky ones to be prescribed Armour from my GP. I was doing well on 3 grains but my bloods in Sept were FT3 4.7, FT4 16 and supressed TSH. I had been feeling shattered so increased to 4 grains on 01/10/18. I got bloods done on 13/11/18 and my FT3 has dropped to 4.3, FT4 16 and TSH suppressed. I started HRT at end of May. Could this be causing the problem? Should I increase to 5 grains? TIA Sx

[shaws Administrator]

The blood tests in the UK were introduced along with levothyroxine alone which is T4 only - it has to convert to T3. Therefore if we take Armour or any other NDTs or T3 the aim is to concentrate on relief of clinical symptoms as the results will not be the same as being on T4 alone i.e. levothyroxiene. Unfortunately doctors seem to be unaware of this and it is mainly upon increasing dose of Armour (i.e. every two weeks by 1/4 tablet) slowly until your symptoms are relieved. I must state that I'm not medically qualified but had undiagnosed hypothyroidism.

[Silvers in reply to shaws]

Hi Shaws, thanks for replying. I haven't seen my GP yet, I have an appointment 28/11. He kinda lets me increase, I just wasn't sure as I have been great on 3 grains for so long. I will up the dose and see how I get on. xxx

[Muffy]

Did you have your blood drawn as early in the day as possible eg 8 - 8.30am? Also what time did you take your last meds before the blood test?

[Silvers in reply to Muffy]

Hi Muffy, I didn't take thyroid meds the day before my test and the only appt I was able to get was 11:30am as I was getting my B12 injection. xxx

[Muffy in reply to Silvers]

Obviously, you wouldn’t want two trips to the doctor, but maybe next time you could just go for your blood test and see if you could get an early appointmet and then your TSH would be higher. Our local hospital has a drop-in service which I think opens at 7.30. Do you have that service near you that you could use next time?

[Silvers in reply to Muffy]

Muffy, I am not really concerned about TSH with being on Armour. I just added that to give full picture as someone would have asked what my TSH was.

I was more surprised that my Free T3 is lower than previous test even though I had upped from 3 grains to 4 grains on 01/10. I am best when my Free T3 is at top of the range. I have increased to 5 grains starting today. xxx