Which blood test to go for?

[Jushkie]

Hi,

Bit of a background first.

I've been on levothyroxine for 10 years (symptoms started after first pregnancy), dosage increasing from initial 50mcg to 75 over the first 5 years, then to 150mcg when pregnant 4.5 years ago, dropping to 100mcg 2 months post partum, then increasing to 125mcg 1.5 years ago as symptoms became unbearable. Tbh even on 125 mcg I still feel fairly rubbish, excessive hair loss, dry skin, extreme fatigue, joint and muscle pain, the works. Seen several GPs over the years, all of them combined had probably less knowledge on thyroid disease than any member of this forum, so not much help.

I had private blood tests (BHM) done 2.5 years ago, on 100mcg of levothyroxine my TSH was 2.25, T4 and T3 both in lower quarters of their range. The test included reverseT3 which was over the range. From everything I've read on here I concluded I don't cover T4 into T3 properly, plus the excess T4 is being converted into reverse T3 (please correct me if I'm wrong), which would explain why I feel the way I do on most days, and I would benefit from adding T3.

Now to my question.

I've just managed to acquire T3 through a relative in the Czech republic, I'm looking to get new blood test done, then posting results here to ask for help with dosage. What I'd like to know: should I again get the test with reverse T3 included, or is there not much point? I've noticed Medichecks have an offer on their comprehensive thyroid check atm, which has everything the BHM test has, bar the reverse T3. The price difference is around £130, so I'd rather not pay the extra if it won't make much difference.

Many thanks for any help

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Jushkie

Don't bother with rT3. It tells us if it's over range but not why, and there are many reasons for over range rT3, not just thyroid.

The best test to go for is a full thyroid panel with vitamins. Medichecks has 20% off across the board until midnight Monday 29th April and the test which includes everything you need to know is Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

You can do this as a fingerprick test or venous blood draw if preferred at extra cost.

[Jushkie in reply to SeasideSusie]

Many thanks for your reply, I will order the Medichecks test right now 👍

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Personally I think it's more important to test vitamins than reverse T3

For good thyroid function we need good vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

But as you know you had reverse T3 in the past, that's a difficult question. It's an expensive test, takes long time to get results too

If thinking of adding T3 then you are likely to be reducing Levo dose slightly and this might reduce reverse T3 anyway

[Jushkie in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for your reply, that's kind of what I thought too, that with decreasing levo the reverse T3 should go down anyway...

I will be back soon with my test results 😊