Blood result advise

[charlee23]

Hi all,

I have just checked again my bloods, and this is what I have got:

TSH - 0,51 (0,35-4,94)

T4 - 15,7 (9-19)

T3 - 4,6 (2,88-4,88)

I am on 100mg levo.

Does that look optimal?

[magsyh]

No i would say you need an increase t3 still much too low. You are converting ok so you need your t4 up to 18-20 to provide you with more t3.

[charlee23 in reply to magsyh]

I am still struggling with the weight as I don’t loose nothing I do.

So what T3 should I be then? Would another 25mg increase be sufficient?

[magsyh in reply to charlee23]

Just noticed the t3 ranges on your results. A very strange range does it say pmol after it? This is problem lab ranges vary and that makes your t3 look fine but is it pmol? Your t3 needs to be high in range to lose weight i have the same problem myself. You also need your iron, ferritin, vit d, folate and b12 levels tested as they all relate to your thyroid function. Check what measure the ranges have because its important. Lab ranges only reflect the health of the local population. Where i live ranges are lower too but the unit of measurement in your blood is the same

[charlee23 in reply to magsyh]

I had these done earlier in december, just had to recheck as T3 wasn’t done at the time. Now finally got it so im confused of where it should be.

[magsyh in reply to charlee23]

If its pmol your t3 needs to be over 5.5 pmol.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to magsyh]

It doesn't matter what the unit of measurement is, it's where in the range that counts. If it was 5.5pmol/L it would take her way over range. It is already 86% through range.

[charlee23 in reply to SeasideSusie]

So should I stay on 100levo or do I need another increase?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to charlee23]

See my other reply

[magsyh in reply to SeasideSusie]

Why the range i dont understand? The range only reflects the local population. The unit of measurement is universal? Where i live the ranges are very low but the unit of measure (pmol) is the same? Surely oranges are oranges? Doesnt make sense to me?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to magsyh]

Each lab has their own ranges, we can only use the range from the lab that does the test. It would help if it was standardised but it isn't, and until it is then we can only go by where the result lies within the range given. And I don't think that's a Free T3 test anyway, I think it's a Total T3 test which is of no use. Awaiting clarification of that.

[magsyh in reply to SeasideSusie]

In future i will stick with my bluehorizon results. Where i live the ranges are very low and the population are very sick indeed. Fibromyalgia, ME, Chronic fatigue. Nhs labs have different ranges depending how sick their population is. In Usa they use ngmol. In UK its pmol. They will never standardise them they would have to treat too many sick people

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Charlee23

How do you feel?

Your TSH is nice and low, that's good.

That T4 looks like Free T4 and that 67% through range so that's pretty good.

Is the T3 Total T3 or Free T3. If it's Free T3 it's 86% through range so that's good. If it's Total T3 the test doesn't tell us anything, it's Free T3 that we need.

[charlee23 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I think it was free T3, was told figures over the phone this morning.

I do feel better, the weight is my last concern, as I got gluten free, im still struggling to loose anything.

Mood and energy levels are a little better, not sure if this is what I am supposed to feel, as was low for so long..

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to charlee23]

Whereabouts in the UK are you?

Can you ring and clarifiy if that's Total or Free T3?

I think that looks like a Total T3 result, the range is very narrow - only 2 points between top and bottom of range. Free T3 usually has a range with around 3.5 points or more between top and bottom.

[charlee23 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Im in Ireland.. so if it is total T3, what does that mean?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to charlee23]

Total T3 measures the total amount of T3 - bound to proteins and unbound (free). Only a very small percentage of Total T3 is "free". It's the Free T3 that is available to be taken up by the cells. So you can have a high Total T3 result but not know how much of that is "free". If the Free T3 is low then that would indicate poor conversion of T4 to T3, and it's low T3 that causes symptoms. So it's important to test Free T3 not Total T3.

[charlee23 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Just rang again and was told it is Free T3.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to charlee23]

I find that very strange with that reference range.

Can you pop along to your surgery and get a print out of your results, I'm not doubting you but I do know that mistakes can be made when results are given verbally or hand written. There can be no mistake when it's a print out.

Have you had a private test that included FT3?

If it is Free T3 then your results are good.

[charlee23 in reply to SeasideSusie]

No this is the first time I ever got the FT3 done, as every time it was missed to be done.

Thanks for the advice.

[charlee23]

Just rang again and was told it is free t3.