Why can't I keep ft3 stable?

[NatChap]

Hi everyone 🙂

I've just had my latest test results back from Thriva.

My previous results were

April - ft3 5.26 (3.1-6.8)

Ft4 13.3 (12-22)

June - ft3 is 4.84 (3.1-6.8)

Ft4 14.7 (12-22)

Oct - Ft3 6.6 (3.1-6.8)

Ft4 14.1 (12-22)

All of these results are on 5 grains of Thai Thiroyd. Any idea why they might be fluctuating so much? I don't know whether I should drop my dose a little as I am so near to being over medicated but then going on these results, my t3 may drop anyway so I don't know what to do.

I have been feeling a bit tired again recently, hence why I got the test done.

All tests were fasting, first thing in the morning before meds.

Any advice appreciated

Nat x

Ps It couldn't be just down to the company or anything could it? Are Thriva reliable?

[greygoose]

I think it's a bit unrealistic to expect your FT3 - or any result - to be exactly the same every time you test it. There are so many thing that can affect it, like activity levels. They all look pretty good. Depends on how you feel.

It could be that the last high result has some bearing on your fatigue, but then again, maybe it doesn't. How do you feel apart from that? If you feel pretty well, I wouldn't risk reducing the dose if I were you. You could make things worse. And, I don't think you have to worry about it getting near the top of the range if you feel well. Remember, ranges are man-made - not set in stone - and arbitary at best. And being at the top of the range - or even slightly over - doesn't necessarily mean you are over-medicated - some people need their FT3 slightly over-range, it's the right level for them. Blood tests are only supposed to be a guide, not a set of rules for dosing. How you feel is the most important criteria.

Sorry, I know nothing about Thriva home tests, although I imagine they are as reliable as any other blood test.

[NatChap in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for your reply 😊 I feel ok, not sure I have a 'normal' any more so hard to judge. I guess you're right regarding the tests being just a guide but I didn't think levels would fluctuate so much on the same dose, although the dip may have been due to stress. My antibodies are now constantly within range so that's good.

I'll stick with the 5 grains then and see how I go 🤞

X

[greygoose in reply to NatChap]

Were your antibodies high? If so, you have Hashi's, and it isn't going to go away no matter what the level of your antibodies. So, that's probably why your levels aren't 'stable' (one of my most hated words in the English language).

I would stick with 5 grains if I were you.

[NatChap in reply to greygoose]

Oh yes, I have Hashis but I've had my antibodies within range for a long time and I've never experienced big swings between hypo and hyper.

[greygoose in reply to NatChap]

Maybe not big swings, but it can still cause your levels to jump around a bit.

[NatChap in reply to greygoose]

Thanks, I'll stick with what I'm doing then 😊

[greygoose in reply to NatChap]

Sounds like a good idea.

[Hay2016]

I’m on levo and lio. Got my t3 up in the sixes. Had a hard excersize weekend and it dropped to low 4. Same range as yours. So I think it just depends on what you are up to when you have bloods done.

[NWA6]

This is why Levo is better for the majority because it’s more stable but if you are someone who needs T3 then you’ve got to expect that it’ll fluctuate because of many variables. I think going forward it will settle but you’re new to T3 so bear with it. If I were you I wouldn’t change atm. Ride it out.

[NatChap in reply to NWA6]

I take NDT and have done for a few of years now so I'm not new to it.

[NWA6 in reply to NatChap]

Should have read ‘if’ you’re new to T3 bear with it’ 🙈 but I still say the same about T3, doesn’t matter how you take it as NDT or on its own it’s never going to be as stable as T4. If we were naturally producing T3 it would fluctuate too.