Hi all, after recommending me to go see my gp with concerns id been taking quite a high dose of levothyroxine 350mcg daily,and maybe we could try something called T3, he freaked !!..totally dismissed it, and said we wont be going down that route !. Since, he's reduced it every three months, so now im on 225mcg, and feel like utter shite 😫 ive just been to have my bloods done, and asked what my last readings were, but i havnt a clue what they mean, any advise please ?... tsh 0.07 (0.27-4.20)
T4 24.4 (11.0 - 25.0)
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Dizzydawnc
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These results show adequate medication. However, TSH and FT4 alone are not enough. You need FT3 testing at the same time to know if you are converting T4 to T3 well enough, if not then it's low T3 that causes symptoms. You also need to know your nutrient levels, thyroid hormone can't work properly unless levels are optimal and low levels or deficiencies bring symptoms of their own.
It was asked if you'd full testing done - full thyroid and vitamin panel. You didn't come back with any results. You can't get any further until you have this done so I'd either ask your GP - and you're unlikely to get everything tested at GP level - or do a private test with one of our recommended labs.
Medichecks Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT medichecks.com/thyroid-func... You can use code THYROIDUK for a 10% discount on any test not on special offer.
Both tests include the full thyroid and vitamin panel. They are basically the same test but with the following small differences:
For the fingerprick test, Blue Horizon requires 1 x microtainer of blood (0.8ml), Medichecks requires 2 x microtainers (total 1.6ml)
Blue Horizon includes Total T4 (can be useful but not essential). Medichecks doesn't include this test.
B12 - Blue Horizon does Serum B12. Medichecks does Active B12.
Serum B12 shows the total B12 in the blood. Active B12 shows what's available to be taken up by the cells. You can have a reasonable level of Serum B12 but a poor level of Active B12. (Personally, I would go for the Active B12 test.)
When doing thyroid tests, we advise:
* Book the first appointment of the morning, or with private tests at home no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. If we are looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction then we need TSH to be as high as possible.
* Fast overnight - have your evening meal/supper as normal the night before but delay breakfast on the day of the test and drink water only until after the blood draw. Eating may lower TSH, caffeine containing drinks affect TSH.
* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, leave off Levo for 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then leave that off for 8-12 hours. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.
* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it will give false results (Medichecks definitely use Biotin, they have confirmed this and the amount of time to leave the supplement off).
These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.
Come back with these results and I'm sure we'll be able to help you.
Also, always get a print out of any tests that you have (never verbal or hand written results, mistakes can happen), that way you can see for yourself how you are doing, what tests have been carried out, and monitor your progress or otherwise yourself.
Low TSH and high FT4 show you are taking Levothyroxine....they don't show if you can convert FT4 into FT3
NHS rarely tests FT3
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised
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).
Is this how you do your tests?
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
Medichecks currently have an offer on until end of May - 20% off
If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.
Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
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Post TT blood results
Eyebrows have started growing again : )
Need Advice Please 
Increased anxiety…
