My blood work is back this morning. It would be helpful if I had some suggestions before I go to the doctor today
Ferritin 81 (18-204)
ft4 1,32 (.8-1.80) Was 2.39 on July 5
TSH 4.49 (.4-4.5) Was 2.070 on July 5
ft3 3.2 (2.3-4.20) Was 2.8 on July 5
I've been on 5mcg of T3 medication since July 12. As I described in yesterday's posts, I'm not doing well. I am probably going to ask to see an endo. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Until this draw, my ft4 was steadily climbing.
I’m taking 50mcg of levo as well. Thank you!
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Coachgeorge
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I doubt if it would bring the TSH down. But, the TSH is not your main problem. It's raising the thyroid hormones that is important. But, if your ferritin is too low, it could affect all sorts of other things. I don't think you need to be all that concerned about it, though. Could you try eating liver once a week, to raise it?
The thought turns my stomach but it’s certainly better than what I’m going through now. I’ll try anything. My red blood cell count is usually high. Will liver make it higher?
I'm afraid I don't know much about red blood cell counts. But, it might. So, check with your doctor first - although he'll probably think your ferritin is 'perfect'.
Thank you. I took my thyroid meds about an hour ago. My body is already starting to tingle. In another few hours, I’ll be sick as a dog. The frustration continues... ugh!
Well, in that case, it has nothing to do with the hormone. It's the fillers that are upsetting you. Have you tried different brands of levo to see if they suit you better?
I always take what’s given at the pharmacy. I should probably check to see if the brand has been consistent. I’ve heard folks ask for synthroid only. Would that help?
Sometimes if we had replacement meds if we don’t add enough we can actually feel worse. Your FT4 is only 52% through range and your FT4 is only 47%. You’re not taking enough of either hormone. So as has been suggested up the dose of one or the other. Your T4 probably shouldn’t have been reduced so much. If it were me and I added more T4 I’d probably only wait a few weeks before testing again and add more if needed. Then another couple of weeks and add T3.
I’m saying that to be cautious but hell if I were as ill as you I’d probably just slowly increase both at the same time.
I just got back from the doctor's office. Since it's been less than 6 weeks since my last draw, she wants to give it another couple of weeks before we increase. She said I'm moving in the right direction but is concerned about going too fast. She also gave me a presciption for Vitamin D. My ferritin is a little low but my hemoglobin/red blood cell count is borderline high. She's concerned about adding iron at this time. We are also going to retest my folate and B-12 in a couple of weeks. I'm anxious to feel better but also understand that this process takes time. I'd rather jump in and increase the doses but from what everyone says, it takes about 6-8 weeks. That timeline coincides with her plan to test again. I am miserable but she sees improvement as does my husband. It's so hard for me to tell how I'm doing from day to day. I've been sick for seven months and we just figured out it's my thyroid. Previously, we thought it was a reaction to steriods. Seems like the steriods weren't at the core of my problems, just made it worse. She told me to come back before my next appointment if I feel like I'm not improving. So, the bottom line is that I'm going to stay the course and see where I stand after these doses in a few weeks. I'm sure I'm going to bug you all and complain. I appreciate everyone and the great information. Thank you!!!
My FT4 was 2.03 at 100 mcg and 2.39 at 75mcg. She reduced to 50mcg and added the 5mcg of T3. I need to check with the pharmacy before I go to the doctor's today. I haven't been watching the levo brands. I've never been diagnosed with Hasi. My antibodies and vitamins were in range. I was a little low on D and ferritin but still in range.
I looked on my pharmacy app to check brands of Levo. Amneal is the brand name with one exception back in December it was Lannett. My liothyronine is made by sigma pharm.
So on 100mcg Levothyroxine your results did not show over medication.
TSH right at top of acceptable levels for someone on Levothyroxine, and FT3 well within range ....if anything you might have benefited from small dose increase in Levothyroxine. (Or tiny drop in Levothyroxine - eg 100/75mcg alternate days and addition of T3)
Many people on Levothyroxine need TSH under one
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.
In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.
Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.
This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."
You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctort please email Dionne at
I will! As I predicted this morning, my symptoms are really ramping up right now. It happens everyday around this time. I’m trying very hard to stay busy. It’s rough. Thank you
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
I second it, increase in Levo would make sense! You should feel something already around a seven day mark, I normally do, so hopefully you will too! Are you going up by 25 or 12.5? Your ft4 was high on 75 of Levo, but some people feel well if that is the case. I don't, I need to have it just around 60% if using t3. Your thyroid is still.producing t4 so when you take more levo like 100 mcgit suppresses production of thyroxine more than dose of 75 mcg. Your conversion isn't great so not sure how much your ft3 might go up by. Trial and error!
I go to the doctor today. I’ll see what she has to say. I’m hoping an increase of ft4 will help. I thought the t3 was causing my symptoms but maybe not. Trying very hard not to hit the bed. Thanks
I have been stable on 50mcg T4 and 15mcg of T3 for seven years. I take my T4 at night and my T3 in three equal doses during the day. I had always taken the Mayne T3 (Paddock, Perrigo, Mayne, Libertas). About two years ago, the pharmacy gave me SigmaPharm T3. I felt the buzzing that you describe and felt over medicated. I tried cutting the tablet into quarters (1.25mcg) and spacing the doses equally throughout the day. I still felt the buzzing and the over medication with each dose. I had the pharmacy order Mayne T3 and I have been stable since. You should try another brand of T3 if possible. It is hard enough to find your personal dosage and timing of T3. You definitely need a brand of T3 that agrees with you. Good luck.
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