Which Blood Test?

[Debbie2012]

Hello, My endo is now only testing TSH level ...my last test being 0.2...slightly lower than she would like it to be. Im taking t3 37.5mcg daily and 25/50mcg t4 alternating days. Im worried as Im putting on weight again since increasing t3 from 30mcg to 37.5 daily, and despite a good diet. Also for ages now my heart pounds away, horrid feeling. Endo says its fine. Im post menopausal and feel so frustrated, look like a bloated whale. I think I have to see what my free T3 level is, looking at BHorizon tests, can anyone advise which level of test is best for me? Im hoping to post up results and get advice from the real experts! Thanks.

[Lora7]

Hi, I hope you don't mind me asking but did your high ferritin resolve itself? I have just found out I have high ferritin which I think I caused by taking iron tablets. My crp is high as well and I assumed it was because of inflammation in my body. BTW I also feel like a bloated whale and I don't hardly eat anything. At the moment I am living on salads because I am going to a wedding and I am frightened I won't fit in my outfit.

[greygoose in reply to Lora7]

Your ferritin is probably high because your CRP is high. High levels of inflammation cause high levels of CRP.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Debbie

Is your T3 prescribed? If so I can never get my head around why doctors don't think it's necessary to check thyroid hormone levels (FT4 and FT3) and make sure that your FT3 stays within range.

As for which test, as a minimum you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested together. But why not take the opportunity to retest your vitamins, your Vit D was very low when you posted 2 years ago. We should check our nutrient levels from time to time, especially when we are supplementing.

Best price for full thyroid/vitamin testing at the moment is the special offer Medichecks has on their ULTRAVIT test

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

That's a tiny dose of Levothyroxine. Would suspect your Ft4 is now too low

Many of us on Levothyroxine plus T3 need both FT3 and FT4 at good levels

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

How do you normally take your T3?

As two or three split doses? What times?

[Debbie2012 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi Slowdragon. I take 25mcg T3 in the morning, and 12.5 mcg T3 with 25or 50 T4 at night. If I have my bloods taken on Sunday morning, can you advise how best to manage my meds? Thanks v much.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Debbie2012]

Usually we recommend getting bloods done Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday if doing them privately

If do blood Sunday morning it will sit in postal system not going anywhere until Monday

If doing bloods on a Monday morning (for example) at 9am

Delay Saturday evening Levothyroxine until Sunday morning around 9am (so it's 24 hours gap between last Levothyroxine and blood draw)

Take Sunday evening T3 around 9pm (so it's 12 hours gap between last T3 and blood draw)

Get bloods done Monday morning as early as possible and fasting

Take Levothyroxine and morning T3 straight after

Take normal evening dose Levothyroxine that night

[Debbie2012 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks very much. Its pointless having an endo. Just pay you guys their salary and we would have a much healthier hypo t population x

[Debbie2012]

Thanks for all your advice, its gratefully received. Step one.... Ive ordered the thyroid ultravit test. Step two....listen and learn! I take 25mcg t3 in the morning, and 12.5 at bedtime along with t4. Im prescibed 30mcg t3 and the t4...i topped up the t3 myself in the hope of feeling better. I had to fight to stay on t3, but couldnt believe my last endo consult where she only asked for my tsh to be checked. Two years running I mentioned my heart, she listened with a stethescope and said it was fine. I know Im not fine, but have given up on her helping me. Im going to read up about ferritin and crp. Its all just overwhelming but mostly frustrating. Thanks again. Xxx

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Debbie2012]

What vitamin supplements do you currently take?

Previous post showed high ferritin and low vitamin D

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Are you on absolutely strictly gluten free diet now

The High TPO antibodies in this previous test confirms cause is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

[Lora7]

I have high ferritin and I was advised by a Doctor friend that if it gets higher than 500 I must have some investigations. Mine could be because I have been taking iron tablets for my hair which I have now stopped and I intend to have another blood test in August to see if it has reduced. Or as greygoose has said it may be because I have high CRP.

[Debbie2012]

Hi, I take b complex, vit d, magnesium and vit c. I stopped taking all of them last weekend in prep for my blood test. I take low gluten, rather than gluten free.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Debbie2012]

So you really need to try absolutely strictly gluten free diet

As explained here....almost gluten free doesn't really work

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

You only need to stop vitamin B complex a week before (biotin in B complex can cause false test results)

If taking any iron supplements stopping a week before to see where levels are

Vitamin D, just don't take day before test

[Debbie2012 in reply to SlowDragon]

Good morning. Just got my blood results. Should I add the results to this thread or make a new post? Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Debbie2012]

Make a new post...more people will see it

[Debbie2012 in reply to SlowDragon]

Will do, thanks