Hey, I am new here. Could anyone please tell me what may cause someone to have a FT3 level of 3.1, which I believe is the lowest you can have while no one gives a damn, but an FT4 level of 18, which from what I have read, is in the upper healthy range?
I believe I have been suffering with hypothyroidism for many years without realising it. About 2 months ago my neck/thyroid swelled up, and strangely all the symptoms (years of depression and lethargy) all disappeared. For a couple of weeks I felt great, despite the lump in my throat.
The test above was done during this period of feeling good as a direct result of the goitre appearing, but now I am feeling normal again getting the NHS to do more tests seems like an insurmountable task. I have asked for another blood test, but have been told someone will phone me in 1 week to discuss if I should be offered a test, which will then be a couple more weeks, then assuming they find something it'll be a couple of months waiting for an endocrinologist.... However, luckily I found medichecks via this forum so I should know more in the next 48 hours (or maybe Monday, not sure if Saturday is a working day for them).
If the test reveals even lower FT3 levels, can anyone PM me with information on how to go about getting low dose T3 tablets to trial in the UK with or without a prescription?
Many thanks!
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DanteVanderpeak
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First step is to get full Thyroid and vitamin testing
Hopefully you included getting vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested at same time using the thyroid plus ultra vitamin test
Improving low vitamin levels often improves conversion of FT4 to FT3
Sounds like you may have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's
Standard treatment is to start with Levothyroxine at 50mcg
The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards (retesting bloods 6-8 weeks after each dose increase) until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH under one) and FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range
All four vitamins need to be regularly tested and frequently need supplementing to maintain optimal levels
NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine. Also what foods to avoid (note recommended to avoid calcium rich foods at least four hours away from Levo)
Argh unfortunately I did the thyroid profile so its only TPO, TGA, TSH, FT3 and FT4. But I will definitely post the information on the forum once I have received it.
It's far to difficult to manage as an initial medication. Starting on Levothyroxine, getting vitamins optimal and, if you do have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's), then looking at possible food intolerances too. Gluten and/or dairy are most common.
Once TSH is low (under one) on Levothyroxine, and FT4 is in top third of range, plus all four vitamins need to be optimal, frequently needing supplements .......then, if FT3 remains low....then, is the time to consider trial of very small split dose T3 alongside Levothyroxine
That awesome. Thanks for taking the time to fill me in! There is definitely something going on when I consume gluten, brain fog and generally feeling bad. That would be great if I could cure it all by cutting out some foods. I've already cut out gluten but will also cut out diary and see if that helps!
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