Abnormal - no action!

[serenfach]

I picked up my blood results today. The T4 and T3 were marked Abnormal, no action. The TSH was 1.2 ((0,27 - 4.2) so it looks like the lab just have programmed their computer to just look at the TSH results!

T3 was 7.0 (3.10-6.8) and the T4 was 8 (11-25). So not normal and action should be taken!

I stupidly took my NDT before the blood test, so hence the highish T3, but I think it shows I have been underdosing myself. Up half a grain tomorrow!

My creatinine was way high, but that is normal for me as I only have one slightly dodgy kidney. Still marked Abnormal- no action.

So if a blood test shows an abnormality, why no action?

Maybe it means you are so hypothyroid, you cannot do anything?

[Judithdalston]

Did the lab know you were taking NDT...if they did they might have accepted it was ‘normal’ with additional T3 to get a lowered FT4 result, and higher FT3? Ie ‘abnormal’ if you were taking levothyroxin only, but ok and therefore no action needed if taking any form of T3. I take a combo of T4 and T3 as separate pills, and realise that blood results have become rather meaningless, it is how you feel ( and how basal temperature/ pulse/ bp are) that is most important. So consider how do you feel before you raise your dose?

[bantam12]

If the results are the same as previously and nothing new has been flagged they are often marked as no action because the GP is already aware and just watching them.

[serenfach]

The lab does not know what I take. I know the GPs just glance down the list to see if anything is highlighted which is usually printed in bold.

The print out actually reads:-

Thyroid Function Test - Normal, No Action.

For primary hypothyroidism, levothyroxine replacement should be targeted towards a TSH within the refererence range. After dose adjustments allow 8 weeks to stabilise.

Then it gives the results which are clearly outside the range for T4.

It then says

Serum free T3 levels 7.0 (3.10-6.8) - Abnormal -No Action

No bold script at all.

The GP who "read" the results as their name is on the printout in my surgery and I have never met. I doubt if they go through peoples medical records before printing the results to give to the patient.

I just thought it was interesting that the computer decided no action was needed as the TSH was OK, ignoring the other results.

[silverfox7]

If you are on any form of T3 then TSH should be suppressed so taking meds before your test as meant they are meaningless. How much NDT are you taking. I was told that after 2 grains to increase in quarter grains till you find your sweet spot. I'd already missed mine at this point as my sweet spot, it turns out, is 1.75 which is what my Endo put me down to when he say my bloods. But results on any form of T3 are very different and read differently. So TSH suppressed, FT4 can be low in its range but FT3 should be high in its range but never over. So I wouldn't retest now but cautiously increase by a quarter then retest after 6 weeks. Obviously if you get hyper symptoms then stop the increase.

[Angel_of_the_North]

Well perhaps someone realized that was likely and a very slightly over range FT3 and under range FT4 would be quite usual for someone on NDT. I'd be happy they didn't reduce your dose.