Help with blood results

[pamelashep]

Hi just had an Horizon blood test results as follows:-

hs-CRP result 0.64 range <5.0 mg/L

Ferritin result 135.0 range 13-150 ug/L

Thyroid function TSH Result Low <0.005 range 0.27-4.20 mIU/L

T4 Total result 119.0 range 66-181 nmol/L

Free T4 result 21.60 range 12.0-22.0 pmol/L

Free T3 result 4.54 range 3.1-6.8 pmol/L

Immunology Anti-Thyroidperoxidase abs result <9.0 range <34 kIU/L

Anti-Thyroglobulin Abs range <10 result <115 kU/L

Vitamin D (25 OH) result 52 range Deficient <30 nmol/L insufficient 30-50 consider reducing dose >175

Vitamin B12 result 431 deficient <145 pmol/L Insufficient 145-250 consider reducing dose >569

Serum Folate result 24.70 range 8.83-60.8 nmol/L

I take quarter of tablet of T3 tablet size 25.

100 microgram Levothyroxine

2.5mg Bendroflumethiazide which is a diuretic.

Doctor says I'm over medicated and need to drop down the Levothyroxine.

Can anyone advise please. Much appreciated.

[fibrolinda]

Ft4 is near top of range but ft3 isn't even half way through range... So no you are not over medicated, but you may do better reducing Levo a little and increasing t3. Doctor is looking at the supressed TSH only and t3 tends to suppress tsh. The pituitary doesn't think it needs to nudge the thyroid with tsh to produce as your getting t3 direct.

[greygoose]

Yes, you should drop the levo, but increase the T3. But, that's not going to raise your TSH, which is all he's looking at! However, the most important number is the FT3, so go by that.

Your folate and vit D are a bit on the low side.

[pamelashep in reply to greygoose]

Hi greygoose thank you so much for your prompt reply. Yes dr wants to lower thyroxine but only because of the TSH. But I have said I take T3.

Would you mind explaining about FT3 when you have time as not sure what I'm looking at. Best wishes Pam

[greygoose in reply to pamelashep]

I'm not quite sure what you want explained, but T3 is the active thyroid hormone, so that's what it's the most important number.

T4 is the storage hormone that has to be converted into T3, and not everybody does that very well. Your FT4 is right at the top of the range, and the FT3 not quite mid-range, which means that you're a poor converter, and need to take T3. But, if you reduce your levo slightly, your conversion will improve a little (for reasons I won't go into at the moment), so that's worth a try. But, you'll probably need to take some T3, anyway.

The 'F' in FT3 stands for 'Free'. There are two types of T3 (and T4) Free and Bound. And your body can only use the Free T3, so that's what needs to be tested.

Hope I answered your question.

[pamelashep in reply to greygoose]

Hi greygoose. Yes thank you it does. It explains why if I don't take T3 I feel very rubbishy. I use to take Armour and felt good on it and never seem to have any TSH problems, but when it went up I could no longer afford it. So back on Levo with the addition of T3. But have to admit I feel more tired on the Levo. The T3 does help a bit.

But thanks again you explained it beautifully. Best wishes Pam

[greygoose in reply to pamelashep]

You're welcome. But, I would think, your problem is that you're just not taking enough T3. Your dose is very small.

[pamelashep in reply to greygoose]

Yes think I'm going to up it too half a tablet and see how I go.

Thank you once again. Best wishes Pam

[pamelashep]

Hi fibrolinda thank you for your reply. Yes Greygoose has just said the same thing. So if I've understood it the Free T4 is too high so too much Levo and the Free T3 is too low so more T3. Is that correct. Thanking you for your swift reply. Seeing dr tomorrow. Best wishes Pam