Opinions on test results please

[Trillylil]

Having found this site and reading the recommendations for thyroid testing these were my most recent results and I would appreciate any input.

I have a very sympathetic and helpful NHS endocrinologist.

At my next appointment the Endo has agreed to test my thyroid antibodies and cholesterol which was 7.7 last time it was tested in 2017, in addition to routine thyroid hormones.

In 2003 I had high thyroid antibodies and was given a Hasimotos diagnosis by CFS specialist who has now retired.

My bloods were taken at 0800 and I did not take thyroid medication until after the test.

At the time of tests I was taking 112mg T4 and 10mcg of T3 daily.

Following these results and a recent energy crash I discussed upping T4 to 125 mg per day to see if I can convert more T3 as I know it’s low and I’m barely functioning with lack of energy.

Didn’t want to push my luck with asking for extra T3 as Endo is under pressure to take patients off it where possible and is not permitted by local CCG to currently prescribe to new patients. My GP is still reluctantly prescribing my T3.

I have a severe CFS diagnosis and my current energy levels are zilch so any improvement will be wonderful.

THS 1.2 range 0.35-3.5

FT3 2.9. “. 3.8-6.0

FT4. 11.9. “. 7-20

Vit D. 54. “. 50-120

Ferritin. 79. “ 30-300

B12 +2000. “ 130-1100 (I inject monthly)

Folate 15.5 (forgot to ask the range but told it was ok)

I have just started supplementing Vit D and I take 5mg of folic Acid every other day.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Trillylil

FT4. 11.9. “. 7-20

You could try increasing your Levo as your FT4 is only 38% through range. Some of us on Levo + T3 are fine with a low FT4, some of us need it higher in range. I have found that I need both FT4 and FT3 at around 75%.

However, with your FT3 being below range, if those were my results I would be looking to increase dose of T3 first, get FT3 into range then see how I feel.

Vit D. 54. “. 50-120

Presumably this is nmol/L an not ng/ml? If so then the Vit D Council recommends a level of 125nmol/L (50ng/ml) and the Vit D Society recommends a level of 100-150nmol/L (40-60ng/ml) and you need to supplement to improve your level. If it's ng/ml then it's fine.

[Trillylil in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks.

So I should be aiming for a FT4 of at least 15?

Should I consider splitting a dose of T3 and take 10mcg twice a day in addition to 125 mg T4 or increase T3 first and stick to 112mg T4?

Was told the Vitamin D was at the lowest end of normal so decided to supplement to see if I can build it towards higher end and hoping to sit in sun this summer!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Trillylil]

So I should be aiming for a FT4 of at least 15?

Unfortunately, no-one can tell you that. You will know where your levels need to be, it took me almost 2 years of tweaking doses to find the level where I felt best. As I said some of us need a much higher FT4 and some of us can do well with a low FT4. Your current FT4 might be fine for you if you had a much higher FT3. When taking combination Levo+T3 then it's often the case that FT3 in the upper part of the range is correct.

Should I consider splitting a dose of T3 and take 10mcg twice a day in addition to 125 mg T4 or increase T3 first and stick to 112mg T4?

I can only tell you what I would do, and that is increase T3 first. T3 should be increased in increments of 5mcg, so you could take 10mcg morning and 5mcg later in the day.

[Trillylil in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for your invaluable advice and all you do for folk on this forum.