Would love some thoughts / comments on my latest results please, this is on 100mg of Levo, exactly the same as I was on for my previous results. My TSH seems to have come down quite a bit but my FT4 has also dropped quite a bit
TSH 0.11 (0.27-4.2)
FT4 22 (9-26)
FT3 4.1 (2.8-7.1)
This is no change of dose from the previous results, however on the last lot (below) I made a mistake and took my 100mg of Levo 3 hours before my blood test, although general consensus on here was that it wouldn’t have made a huge difference:
TSH 1.48 (0.27-4.20)
FT4 28.4 (9-26)
FT3 4.36 (2.8-7.1)
Previous results on 75mg were as follows:
TSH 1.61 (0.27-4.20)
FT4 18.2 (9-26)
FT3 2.9 (3.1-6.8)
All my vitamins and minerals are pretty optimal, so I didn’t spend the money to have them done again via Medichecks
All comments very much appreciated 😀
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Bramble83
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Actually, it wasn't a general consensus. I was the only one that commented on the possible difference, and concluded that it was 'impossible to tell with any accuracy'. But, looking at your latest results, it's possible that it did make quite a difference. And, not surprising that your FT4 level has dropped when the test was done respecting the 24 hour gap.
But, in a way it doesn't make much difference in the end, because you're still a poor converter, and it's the FT3 that is the most important number. And, that could do with being higher.
Oops! Maybe general consensus was not quite accurate 🤣
I was surprised that my TSH has dropped so much in comparison to before.
Got an appointment on Wednesday to review the results- i’m wondering whether because the TSH is low, they will try and reduce the Levo dose- what do you think?
My usual endo was up for trying me on T3 before but i’m 12 weeks pregnant now, so I’m pretty sure that will no longer be an option.
The TSH rarely, accurately reflects thyroid status - which is one of the reasons it shouldn't be relied on as much as it is. Variations in times of the blood draw will cause variations in TSH levels, but they're pretty random. There's no direct, hard and fast link between TSH level and FT4 level.
Yes, looks that way. Although, in my opinion, that's pretty stupid. Pregnancy is hard work, and the mother needs to be kept fit and healthy, too. T4 for the baby, yes. But the mother needs T3.
I’ve got no idea, they just mentioned that T3 isn’t approved in pregnancy and when I asked why, that was the line they gave me!
I don’t feel terrible, just tired (which could always be my Addisons anyway) so will probably just wait. The only thing that really convinces me I could do with my T3 being higher- which is my resting heart rate which is still super low at around 40-45bpm
Out of interest, considering my current results, if I wasn’t pregnant and able to start T3, what dose do you think would be sensible, based on the results I posted.
Keen to know what to push for later on (presuming my numbers don’t change, which they could of course)
Same dose one always starts on: 1/4 pill, be it 20 mcg or 25 mcg. It has nothing to do with your results, it's just following the rules of taking hormones: start low and increase slowly. With T3, that means 5 mcg or 6.25 mcg - the difference is negligible.
Timing of last dose of Levo won't have had any real effect on TSH, that depends on timing of blood draw and whether you have eaten or had caffeine containing drinks before the test.
I think you can see that taking your Levo 3 hours before the test last time meant that your FT4 result was showing that your hormone level was at it's peak (it peaks 2-4 hours after ingestion of Levo) and your new test, with the proper time gap, is showing a more normal circulating level.
Your results show that you are a poor converter of T4 to T3.
Yes I didn’t understand that about the TSH- the first one was done at 8.30am (when it was 1.48) and the second one was done at 9.50am (when it was 0.11) as they didn’t have an earlier appointment. I hadn’t eaten anything or drunk anything except water, for either.
I’ve got a review on Wednesday with the endocrine- antenatal team, as I’m now 12 weeks pregnant. Do you think they’ll try and lower my dose because the TSH is low, or because my FT3 and FT4 are in range, might they leave them as they are?
Here is information from Professor Anthony Weetman
Quote: The problem with using free T4 measurements if a patient is taking thyroxine is that the level fluctuate after taking thyroxine treatment. Therefore, within the few hours after ingestion there can be a ten or fifteen per cent level difference in level compared to twelve to twenty four hours after ingestion.
Not wishing to be pedantic, you can't actually say that. Yes it is 25% more than the previous test result, and may be elevated over what it would have been if you had left the longer gap; but you don't know for certain what it would have been had you left the longer gap ie it might in any case, have been different from the previous test result and the shorter gap then exacerbated the differential. But don't get hung up on percentage differences that are only assumptions in any case.
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Medichecks result different from Bupa? Taken at same time!
Different doctor, same old results.
Starter dose made no difference!
Blood results and thyroxine dose query
Another test with different results 
