Latest test results with hashimotos

[purplejuicy]

Can someone help with my latest thyroid test results?

TSH 0.02 (0.27-4.2)

T3 4.9 (3.1-6.8)

T4 13.6 (12-22)

I now take 25mcg of t3 along with 75mcg of t4 every morning.

Also, broad spectrum probiotic, fish oil, zinc, selenium, magnesium glycinate and vitamin c.

I always seem to be on the low end of the range but my TSH is really low so the Dr's freak out but say my other results are within range. My natural Dr isn't concerned about my tsh at all but I still don't feel 100% some days.

Is someone familiar with these types of results?

[greygoose]

Your FT3 is below mid-range, so you probably need that higher. If it were me, I would increase the T3 by 6.25 mcg.

[purplejuicy in reply to greygoose]

so do you agree with SlowDragons response below about T4 needing to be higher too? i was on 50mcg of T3 but my TSH was 0.007 so i halved it over time thinking that may have been causing me to feel a bit pants but my T3 was slightly higher then. so tricky

[greygoose in reply to purplejuicy]

Not really, no. I'd get the FT3 up, first. You might need your FT4 higher, eventually. But, personally, I'd concentrate on the T3 first.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I tak a combination and with those results I'd be very unwell.

We all are different as to where we need FT4 and FT3 and have to experiment to find the best combination. For me I'd need to raise both Levo and T3, but only one at a time.

[purplejuicy in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes i feel you may be right but my GP wont increase my T4 anymore cause of my TSH levels and that fact the others are 'in range'. i know i need more of something as feel hypo most days on/off. how do you go about it with your GP?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to purplejuicy]

I don't have a problem with my GP, she dislikes me as much as I dislike her so I avoid seeing her as much and possible and avoid discussing my thyroid with her because she worships the god TSH only and refuses to consider actual thyroid hormone levels. Fortunately the Advanced Nurse Practioner has more sense and he sees past a suppressed TSH and takes into account the FT4 and FT3. My TSH stays suppressed, it has been for donkeys years and the nurse practioner accepts that. We had a discussion, he realised that I knew what I was talking about when I said that TSH is a signal from the pituitary, the pituitary realises I have enough thyroid hormone so it's not sending the signal for more hence TSH stays low. He also realises that because it's been mostly suppressed for over 20 years there's every likelihood it wont come back into range. Of course, I'll have a problem if ever he leaves but I don't worry about the future.

I get my prescription for Levo, it goes back to when my previous (good) GP was there and the dose hasn't been changed. I take less than prescribed and take self sourced T3 and have taken control of my thyroid health myself, tweaking doses to find my optimal levels. I do private tests to ensure my levels are where they need to be for me to feel well thyroid-wise, and that is within range, but to ensure the tests done at the surgery don't cause any questions I make sure they are a bit lower when having an NHS test.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Assuming you did test as recommended

Early as possible in morning and no food or drinks apart from water before

Last dose levothyroxine 24 hours prior to test

Last dose T3 between 8-12 hours prior to test- split the dose day before testing into 2 or 3 small doses do that last dose is about 5mcg

Personally I would increase levothyroxine to 100mcg daily first

Low FT4 can cause symptoms and increase in Levo should help raise both FT4 and FT3

Retest 6-8 weeks later

[purplejuicy in reply to SlowDragon]

but my GP wont increase my levo because i am 'in range'. i only really have control over the T3

[Jalisi in reply to purplejuicy]

I have been increasing my levo by myself. At one point my GP had no choice but to increase my dose as I'd been on it for 3 weeks with no symptoms of overmedication. Get your prescription one week early and this should give you enough to increase by 25mcg for 3 weeks. You can even get it earlier than this with an excuse of going on holiday. I also tend to request my prescription just before I attempt to convince my GP to put me on a higher dose. If GP agrees and changes my dose, I get (another) new prescription. I have managed to accumulate two month's worth of 25mcgs of levo. Just find any excuses under the Sun to get meds a week before the next issue date. I ask for paper prescription which I collect from my surgery a week early every month. Good luck purplejuicy.