thyroid function test on 2 x 100 levothyroxine since early 20s always had a high reading result. now on 150 but always have illnesses

[murelbrush]

Serum free T4 level 25.6 pmol/L (12-22) "high"

Serum TSH level 0.05 mU/L (0.27-4.2) "Low"

Serum free T3 level

I need to go back up to 2 x 100 levothyroxine again as I am always ill with upper resperitery tract illness and this year had pneumonia twice and still not great. cold legs and feet and hands. have allergic reactions although since changing from 125 to 150 levothyroxine just have slight reactions especially around the mouth... mouth dry as nasal drip causes me to sleep with mouth open. difficulty swallowing food as feel as if something in my throat...so on and so on

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Recent incorrect obsession by medics to raise TSH

Yet many, many thyroid patients need high FT4 and suppressed TSH in order to have high enough FT3

Do you have any recent blood test results and ranges to add

Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.

Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor

 please email Dionne at

[e-mail]

Professor Toft recent article saying, T3 may be necessary for many if Levothyroxine is reduced

rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/fi...

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised. Or if under medicated.

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies

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

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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges