I’ve 28F been taking levothyroxine (125mg) since 2015 and a lot of my symptoms that were debilitating before are now gone which is the main thing.
Now that it’s been a few years I’m finding that my weight is still a lot more than what I would’ve thought with my diet and exercise. I’m a size 16-22 depending on where I shop and what I’m buying. I’m only 5’3.
I have only really had my TSH tested recently and I’m wondering if it’s possible to feel better but still have a high T3?
I was wondering if it’s better for me to ask for a T3 test? My doctor may not be keen on giving me T3 as well - he wasn’t sure about giving me thyroxine until I pushed him. Is it best to go to another doctor to try that way or is there anything I can get online? I’ve seen a lot of T3 supplements but if it’s not the synthetic hormone is it still worth taking?
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thyroidprincess
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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?
Ask GP to test vitamins and thyroid antibodies if antibodies have never been tested
Important to know exactly what has been tested previously and equally important what hasn't been tested yet
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
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 .
The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that 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 eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.
If you post your latest blood test results with ranges people can advise. it is unlikely that you'll get a free T3 test on the NHS, you'd need to buy a private test from Medichecks or Blue Horizon. T3 is not a weight loss drug. There are no T3 supplements in the UK, as it is a prescription only drug.
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Good Weight Loss on Levothyroxine
Weight Gain on Levothyroxine 
Levothyroxine dosage and weight loss.
Does weight loss affect amount of levothyroxine required?
Thyroid levels are about the same with or without Levothyroxine
