Advice on bloods

[dodge1979]

Hi all

So seen my endo today and got my blood results

He had me on 125mcg levo and 10mcg T3 for 2 weeks

After the 2 weeks I seen him again and he put the T3 up to 20mcg per day

2 weeks later I had bloods done and see below

TSH 1.13

T4 16

T3 5.5

He is having issues getting my TSH under 0.1

Any ideas

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

dodge1979

Can you add the reference ranges for your results, as they vary from lab to lab we can't interpret the results without the ranges that come with them, eg

TSH: 2.5 (0.27-4.2)

Testing 2 weeks after a dose increase is probably too soon, it doesn't really give time for levels to settle. I take Levo plus T3 and I always need 6-8 weeks for my levels to settle.

Taking T3 should eventually bring your TSH down, possibly suppress it.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Agree with Seasidesusie, two weeks later is far too soon

6-8 weeks minimum

Are you taking T3 as 2 or 3 small doses per day?

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Important that vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 are optimal too

[dodge1979 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes T3. 10mcg morning and afternoon

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dodge1979]

So bloods will need retesting 6-8 weeks after any dose change

Last dose of T3 should be 8-12 hours prior to blood test

Suggest on day prior to testing you split afternoon dose of T3 into 5mcg mid afternoon and 5mcg at 9pm

You may find taking small dose nearer bedtime gives Improved sleep

Some of us take T3 as 3 doses per day as standard

Personally I discovered by accident that taking last dose at bedtime gave excellent sleep, when I adjusted last dose to 9pm the day before blood test

I now take T3 as follows- 10mcg 7am, 5mcg at 3pm and 5mcg at 11pm.

I also split my Levothyroxine - 100mcg levo at 11pm and 25mcg Levo at 7am

[dodge1979 in reply to SlowDragon]

I took the lot this morning

125 and 20 T3

Don’t feel too good

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dodge1979]

I can't tolerate taking as one dose. Made me very unwell

Many of us find 3 doses 8 hours apart gives most even levels. I spent over a year experimenting with various different timing and splitting options.

Three doses Eight hours apart is by far the best way it works for me.