Change in Prescription

[gary7878]

Hi,

I have just had the blood test results back from the doctor, they did suggest upping my Levo (T4). Basically I feel tired and have aches in my legs and pain in my chest (I have had the latter checked out and it is not related to my heart or lungs)

I am currently taking 125mg Levo (T4) with 20mg Lio (T3) daily

I had a blood test done this week which showed the following results -

TSH 0.86 (0.27 - 4.20)

serum free T3 6.5 (3.1 - 6.8)

serum free T4 16.4 (10- 23)

Iron levels were within range (They did not provide the results the doctor just mentioned it when we spoke)

The doctor wants to up my Levo due to free T4 having more room

I have a problem converting T3 to T4

Could I be over medicated, surely upping the T3 would be the way to go?

I had another test done a month previous which gave the following results which I posted -

TSH 0.48 (0.27-4.2)

fT3 6.2 (3.1-6.8)

TPO anitbodies 716 (0-60) U/ml

Anti -Thyroglobin 107 (0-60) U/ml

I was thinking of switching to NDT, if I do this can/should I supplement with T3?

The doctor is now at the point she thinks I am wasting her time and stated sometimes we just get pain and feel bad!!! It is so frustrating.

Any advice would be helpful. I can not carry on like this.

Thanks

G

[shaws Administrator]

You state you have a problem converting T3 to T4 but it is T4 that converts to T3. As it is your FT4 that's low, I think the doctor is correct in suggesting an increase in T4. Your FT3 level is good.

If you want to switch to a trial of NDT, as it contains all of the hormones, i.e. T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin I don't think adding T3 is required.

[gary7878 in reply to shaws]

Thanks, yes of course you are right I typed it the wrong way round T4 to T3

[Judithdalston]

I’d ask the doctor’s receptionist to check what your iron result , and range, was as it might not be the 80 ug/l you need as the Gp might have accepted 13 as ok! I’ve stopped levo. completelya month ago to T3 only as still didn’t get rid of pain/ exhaustion on 100 T4:T3 50 combo, yet FT3 went just above range.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you gone back to being strictly gluten free?

Always get actual results and ranges on vitamin levels

Can you add recent vitamin test results for vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose 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)

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test

Is this how you do your tests?

Personally I need high FT4 as well as high FT3

Have you considered DIO2 gene test?

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Wider testing

bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...