GP Freaking out about very low TSH level

[tracyd59]

Hi all,

For the last 12 months I've been taking 25mcg T3 and 100mcg T4 daily. I feel well, I have lost 2.5kgs over the year, (hardly alarming weight loss!) and generally there's been a big improvement in many aspects of my health. My GP sent me for a blood test 3 weeks ago.

And when she showed me the results ( I don't have a copy unfortunately) on the screen in her surgery I saw that my TSH level was 0.01. She was very concerned about this, and said I should be reducing my t3 significantly, by at least half in order to raise my TSH level. She was happy about the T3 and T4 levels, (from memory they were both in the top third of the range). She wants me to take 6.25mcg daily instead of 25mcg.

I emphasised that I felt well, that I didn't have hyper symptoms etc. But she was adamant I cut back on t3. She wants me to have another blood test in Sept. I do not want to reduce t3 permanently, but I do want her to stop freaking out.

So before my next blood test in Sept, how many days or weeks before should I reduce t3 (or cut it out if necessary) just to get through the blood test with a higher TSH level, which will stop her fretting? I'm concerned she'll stop prescribing if I don't raise my TSH levels, and then I'll be back to buying T3 on the internet

Thanks in advance for your input.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

tracyd59

So before my next blood test in Sept, how many days or weeks before should I reduce t3 (or cut it out if necessary) just to get through the blood test with a higher TSH level, which will stop her fretting?

To be honest, I don't think you can do it in days, if at all whilst using T3. My TSH was suppressed on Levo so is obviously suppressed now I'm taking Levo plus T3. My GP doesn't know that I use T3. T3 is going to lower, and probably suppress TSH, it's just what it does.

As your GP prescribes T3 then she really ought to know what effect it has on TSH. As long as your FT3 is within range then you are not overmedicated. There are plenty of posts on here about suppressed TSH and it not being the demon that doctors think it is.

Also, if T3 is reduced, it has to be done gradually, 1/4 of a tablet at a time, you can't go from 25mcg to 6.25mcg.

If you feel well with the doses you take, and your levels re within range (FT4 and FT3) then if it was me I'd not be reducing my doses at all. I have this conversation, ad infinitum, with my GP who parrots on about suppressed TSH.

[MissGrace]

‘She was happy about the T3 and T4 levels, (from memory they were both in the top third of the range).’

Hope you pointed out the paradox to her - if she’s happy with your T3 Level, how can she ask you to reduce it? If you reduce, it will reduce the level and then she won’t be so happy with it. She needs to re-train. Sorry you’ve found yourself faced with such ignorance. 🤸🏿‍♀️🥛

[Angel_of_the_North]

You can't do it. You'd probably have to cut out t3 for 6 months or so, and even then you couldn't guarantee that TSH would rise. If you are buying your own T3, I would just ignore the doctor. If your thyroid hormones are good, what is the point of reducing them just to get your pituitary to scream a bit louder - if it can? Not logical.

[silverfox7]

She hasn't a clue! Results are read differently when on any form of T3 so if correctly dosed your TSH should be suppressed-0.01, FT4 can fall in its range but FT3 should be high in its range but never over. The think you can't do is see if you are converting properly as the FT4 reading can. I longer be used, the only accurate reading is the FT3 one.