Blood results

[Owleyes]

Hi

Had my bloods done after an increase in levo. On 112 of levo now alternative days

T4 20 range 5.6-21.0

TSH 0.006 range 0.38-5.33

Can someone please advise me on results

Thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Suppressed TSH and top of range FT4.

How do you feel?

Your GP will say you're overmedicated because of your suppressed TSH but you need FT3 tested at the same time as FT4 and TSH. You don't know how well you convert T4 to T3.

What are your current levels for Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin.

[Owleyes in reply to SeasideSusie]

I feel ok. Skins still dry but hairs not falling out. Sleeping ok. Fidgety a bit but not too bad.

I’ve only just upped the vit d so will check that again in two months. Same with b12.

I asked for T3 but it wasn’t done. I’ll get it done though.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Owleyes]

Make sure to test TSH, FT3 and FT4 together

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).

[Owleyes in reply to SlowDragon]

I did ask for all 3 to be done but for some reason it wasn’t done. Off this pm to get that sorted.

I also have followed advice about when to do bloods and when to stop vitamins and levo. Bloods done 08.30 every time.

[Owleyes in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi Susie they did do my T3 receptionist didn’t know what to look for

5.5 range 3.7-7

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Owleyes]

So your FT3 is 55% through range and your FT4 is 94% through range.

Your FT4:FT3 ratio is 3.63 : 1

Good conversion is said to take place when FT4:FT3 ratio is 4:1 or less.

You may be better with FT3 higher in range, and your FT4 and FT3 more in balance.

I would wait and see what your nutrient levels are like when you next test them. Optimal nutrient levels are necessary for thyroid hormone to work properly. Also, supplementing with selenium, also zinc, is supposed to help with conversion.

[Owleyes in reply to SeasideSusie]

Ok I’ve really ballsed up here! I’ve been taking 200 and 225 Alternative days! I was having 50 and 25 packs but changed to 100 packs. What do I do? I’m panicking now.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Owleyes]

You mean that you are alternating 200/225mcg levo? If so, how long for? How come the mix-up and why the change in dose size of tablet? What dose when this test was done?

I'm going to bed now, will respond to your reply tomorrow.

[Owleyes in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes I’ve been alternating days 100 one day 125 the next. I’ve been taking 200/225 for the 6 weeks.🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

I had 50’s so was taking two then the repeat script was made out for 100. It’s my fault for carrying on and not checking.

Test was done on 200/225

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Owleyes]

So if these results were after 6 weeks on 200/225mcg

T4 20 range 5.6-21.0

TSH 0.006 range 0.38-5.33

then your FT4 is still in range, which is suprising considering you've doubled your dose since the previous test when FT4 was 15 with a range of 5.6-21.

[Owleyes in reply to SeasideSusie]

I’ve gone back to the dose I should have been taking. Will I have any side effects from dropping back down?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Owleyes]

I’ve gone back to the dose I should have been taking. Will I have any side effects from dropping back down?

I don't know, I've never made such a dramatic dose change. But considering your FT4 is still in range with the higher dose, I expect going back to your original dose will eventually reduce your FT4 (and FT3) and you'll probably go back to how you were before on the lower dose.

However, on 100mcg Levo you had FT4 of 15 (5.6-21) which was 61% through range and FT3 was 4.8 (3.7-7) which was 33% through range, so you may eventually go back to something fairly close to those results which may or may not be good enough for you.

[Owleyes in reply to SeasideSusie]

I’ll have bloods done in 6 Weeks see what’s what

Thank you x

[Owleyes in reply to SeasideSusie]

I take selenium already will get the zinc

[McPammy]

If your skin is dry and you’re fidgety I’d suggest you are not quite hitting the right level yet. Looks to me as though you are over medicated with that TSH level. A level of 1 is supposed to be optimal. You won’t really know what’s going on until you get the T3 done also. T4 doesn’t need to be at the highest point in the range. It’s just a bank of T4 sitting in your body waiting to be converted to T3. T4 has a long life and you won’t run out if you take it daily.

Was this test done without taking your medication. TSH won’t move much but the T4 level will can spike. I think you’re over medicated. Can I ask what was your blood results prior to Dr increasing your T4 please.

[Hashihouseman]

T4 too high !

T4 doesn't just hang around waiting to be converted T3, it does things! Not always good things!

Normal thyroidal secretion of T4 does not happen in one flush every 24hrs so question doing this with Levothyroxine?!

splitting thyroxine dose into 2 or even 3 over 24hrs may be helpful.

Absolutely vital to find delicate balance of T3 & T4

optimum TSH between 1 & 3 depending on time of day you take blood for test.

Blood test for thyroid function useless unless it comprises the three critical hormone levels together - free T3 free T4 and TSH

[NWA6]

Hi Owleyes 👋 This sounds all to familiar to me. Raising Levo to try and help symptoms and yet all that happens is that one still feels/has Hypo symptoms but now with the added bonus of mild hyper symptoms 😩 This is why it’s so important to have that FT3 test. I know many say that T4 is inactive and to a large extent I believe that but why then does one feel ‘fidgety’ and ‘anxious’ if FT4 goes too high (and actually I’m not suggesting yours is too high, it’s still in range but may be too high for you) I would suspect that your FT3 is too low. Maybe you’re not a good converter? You’ll have to do private tests to build a picture.

[silverfox7]

With those resuktsand not feeling on top of the world screams bad conversion so follow what SeasudeSusie recommends. It won't be aquick fix depending how low resultsare but I completely reversed mine by getting vits etc optimal and didn't need any extra T3. 5 months later I retested as I was feeling good and problem solved. I'm not saying it took that long to get it right but just wary of testing to soon and having to repeat later. It's surprises me how important it is to get theses optimal plus its well worth the effort.