Very confused with recent results

[Rosebud1955]

Tsh: 0.02 (0.32-4.00), Ft4: 12 (9-19), Ft3: 3.2 (2.6-5.8)

My free t’s are so low, why is my tsh suppressed. Endocrinologist wants to change my dose. Presently taking 100mcg Levo & 7.5 mcg cytomel. She wants to put me on 75mcg. When I refused, she threatens to refer me to someone else. They’re all the same anyway. I’m now running out of meds because I have been regulating my own dose. I live in Canada and we’re not able to purchase meds elsewhere. I’m exhausted from fighting with doctors. She’ at the point where she’s being abrupt and condescending to me. I feel so small when I have to meet with her. Now, she is refusing an office visit, she only wants to do e-visits so that she can cut me off when I try to get my point across. What more can I do, can’t fight anymore. She makes me feel like a hypochondriac.

Any suggestions as to how I speak to her. I will dump her soon but I want her to complete some blood works to check my adrenals and pituitary function.

Thanks for any suggestion.

[Marz]

There is an excellent website called - Thyroid Patients Canada. Lots of informative articles that hopefully will help you.

Dosing you by the TSH alone is so wrong. You do not have to reduce your dose ... Once taking thyroid hormones the TSH will be low. You are only over-medicated when the FT3 is over range.

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

When taking any T3 (or NDT) it's extremely common for TSH to be suppressed. The most important results are FT3 and FT4. As long as these are not over range, patients are not over treated

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

Is this how you do your tests?

If so then, your FT3 and FT4 results are too low and suggest you need an increase in dose

Many people need to take 2 or 3 doses of T3 per day, rather than just one

Canadian Thyroid association on why Low TSH is often irrelevant

thyroidpatients.ca/rational...

[Rosebud1955 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for taking time to reply. Yes, I followed all the guide lines exactly as suggested on this forum. My vitamins are also optimal. I’m eating well so my frustration is building.

[Hidden]

Your Frees are nowhere near top of range, so why threaten you with a reduction? You actually need an increase! Is there anyone you could take with you who could speak up for you? She should be sued for malpractice!

That site Thyroid Patients Canada, that Marz mentioned are very good too. We all need someone to speak up for us at times.

[Rosebud1955 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for taking time to reply. No, I have no one who understands thyroid issues. I’m alone in this journey, that’s why I feel so defeated. I’m also battling chronic Lyme disease, so i’m struggling in other areas of my life. Chronic illnesses can be a struggle with doctors, they don’t really care.

[Hidden in reply to Rosebud1955]

Contact Thyroid Patients Canada then. They can give advice and surely find help in your area, if only a doctor who will listen.

[Hidden in reply to Rosebud1955]

If you were in the UK I would suggest you wrote to the practice manager, but don't know what the procedure for complaints is where you are.

I think Thyroid UK has a list of practitioners recommended by members. Probably it's the same with the Canada group.

All the very best x