Help with NDT results please

[rosserk]

Hello all,

I need some help with my test results. I’m taking Thyroid s.

TSH is 0.01 (0.27-4.20)

T4 is 14.2 (12.00-22.00)

T3 is 5.3 (3.1 - 6.8)

I’m not sure if I need to increase or decrease my dose. I feel like I should increase due to symptoms of exhaustion, cold hands and sweating but my T3 looks pretty good I think?

Any help would be greatly appreciated from those familiar with NDT.

[greygoose]

It's not good if you still don't feel well. Optimal is a feeling not a number. Try increasing by 1/4 grain.

[rosserk in reply to greygoose]

Thanks a GreyGoose I hope you are well?

Isn’t it strange that when we are unwell we need someone to validate we are doing the right thing? My instinct tells me to increase but this stupid illness messes with my confidence to take charge for fear of making things worse! Grrrr.....

[greygoose in reply to rosserk]

Perhaps one of the reasons is that we've had the fear of god put into us by ignorant doctors. Doctors are terrified of hormones - they practically cross themselves if you mention NDT. They instilled it into us that hormones are dangerous and threatened dire consequences if we dare to use the wrong one - i.e. ones they don't approve of - or take too much. And, this disease does sap our self-confidence. And, like everyone, we were brought up to believe that doctor knows best. Hardly surprising, then, that we are loath to increase our dose if the blood test number gets anywhere near the top of the range. It's almost cultish. Like certain church ministers threatening hell-fire and damnation if we stray from the path that they have laid out before us.

But, the truth is that if you go over the top of the range for a while, nothing terrible is going to happen. You can always reduce it again. The pavement isn't going to open up beneath your feet and suck you down to the nether-world. You might have a racing heart, head and bowels for a while, but that will calm down when your reduce you dose again - which you'll probably do quite quickly because you won't feel well. But, some of us need those higher levels to regain our health. Should we be so scared of raising our dose in order to feel well? I think not.

However, it's always comforting to have someone agree with you, so if you have the slightest doubt, always ask, and be reassured. We're here for that.

[rosserk in reply to greygoose]

Lol! Hilariously accurate.. thank you.

My rheumatologist sent a letter to my GP last week telling him to review my thyroid medication because my TSH was so low. They think I’m taking levothyroxine but I’m not. They only tested TSH&T4 so I expect my doctors wondering what to do. Based on my results he will be considering dropping my Levo which would lower my T4 further if I was taking the Levo.

I stopped taking levo and switched to NDT when my doctor refused to increase my dose because my T4 was back in the range at 13.8 and my TSH was 3.2.

He wouldn’t listen to me when I told him I felt worse than ever, he just said it had to be something else because it couldn’t be my thyroid because the results showed I was absolutely fine!

I was crying hysterically but he wouldn’t listen, that was the day I ordered NDT. I’ve improved dramatically since starting NDT so I’m confused why I’m so sick again. My first thought was I had to be over medicated because the NDT had built up over the months.

I’m waiting for my doctor to ring and tell me he’s reduced my Levo! Lol..

😜 x

[greygoose in reply to rosserk]

They just have no idea, do they! None whatsoever.

[phoenix23002]

As greygoose said, just falling within normal ranges is NOT optimal and varies from person to person. T 4 should be approx. midway of range and T 3 numbers should register in upper third of range. Another thing that can be helpful and informative is for you to keep a log or journal (nothing too fancy) to record your body temp, heart rate, dosage and how you are feeling each day. Your goal is a normal body temp and heart rate at around 3 pm each day. This time is usually when our body temp is at it's maximum.

[rosserk in reply to phoenix23002]

Thank you I will start charting my temperature. Kindest regards x

[rosserk]

I thought I’d read that T3 could be top or over on NDT but I wasn’t sure.

Thank you! I will be steadily increasing it until I feel ok 😀

[Hidden]

Hey rosserk, just my two cents. I personally need my ft4 a bit higher to feel good. On NDT my ft4 was low in range while ft3 was top range and I felt terrible, gaining weight and tired. Still adjusting so not sure where I'd land, but now I know (after 2 years of tweaking) I need a higher ft4 in case increasing NDT doesn't work, which I hope it will work for you hugs!