Latest Medichecks Results - low FT3 - Dr will refer me to NHS Endo, should I try? Do I need to up my Levo in the meantime?

[jamjar67]

Just got my latest Medichecks results below with previous underneath.

Spoke to my Dr today who agreed to refer me to an Endo - I know the Endo has prescribed T3 on the NHS as I have chatted to the lady he prescribed it to although she had her thyroid removed so I might not be considered bad enough, but part of me thinks I should try... Should I be putting my Levo up in the meantime with the results below?

All bloods taken on empty stomach omitting supplements for a week prior to blood draw and taking Levo after sample taken.

18/9/19

Levo 100/75

TSH 0.587 (0.27 - 4.2)

FT3. 3.63. (3.1-6.8)

FT4. 17 (12 - 22)

RT3 15

FT3 : RT3 15.76

Active B12. >300. (37.5 - 188)

- supplemented with v high strength B12

Folate. 12.94 (3.89 - 26.8)

Vit D. 56.6. (50 -175)

- thought I was taking 6000iu daily but was only 2000iu !!

Ferritin. 59.9. (13-150)

CRP 0.66. <5

TPO 395

TGAB 354

5/4/19

Levo 100/75

TSH 0.264 (0.27 - 4.2)

FT3. 4.51. 3.1-6.8

FT4. 21.4. 12-22

Active B12. 155. (37.5 - 188)

Folate. 19.8 (3.89 - 26.8)

Vit D. 85.8. (50 -175)

Ferritin. 48. (13-150)

CRP 0.89. <5

5/2/19

Levo dose 50/75mcg

TSH 2.34. (0.27 - 4.2)

FT3. 4.43. 3.1-6.8

FT4. 15.6 12-22

Active B12. 123. (37.5 - 188)

Folate. 14.48 (3.89 - 26.8)

Vit D. 97.1. (50 -175)

Ferritin. 14.1. (13-150)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You have room for dose increase in Levothyroxine

FT4 only 50% through range

But you are poor converter

FT3 only 14% through range

Useful calculator for working out % through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

Improving vitamins can help improve conversion

Your antibodies are very high

Have you had coeliac blood test yet?

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet




(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)




Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

If gluten is a problem you really need to try strictly gluten free before starting on T3

[jamjar67 in reply to SlowDragon]

I have never been tested for coeliac but I went gluten free when I was diagnosed. I have stuck to it to the best of my knowledge - my iron is going up so I must be absorbing something, I would think my iron wouldn’t improve if coeliac?

[jamjar67]

I realise I can increase my levo but if you look at my previous results when my T4 was 94% thru the range my FT3 was only 38% thru range so still pretty low and I still felt symptomatic hence why I feel I need to atleast trial the T3 to see if it makes a difference - I can do it myself but just think I should try the NHS first...🤔

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to jamjar67]

Have you got the list of recommended thyroid specialists from Dionne at Thyroid Uk?

Has list of endocrinologist who will prescribe T3

Email is here

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/About_...

You might consider DIO2 gene test.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

If you test positive it can help get T3 on NHS. Though some CCG areas are still very difficult /impossible

[jamjar67 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I have the list and was considering going private but can’t afford to until after Xmas anyway however I have been told that the Endos at the hospital where I have been referred are a little more open to T3 and I’m in the CCG catchment who allowed it so thought I might try, I can always go private if this doesn’t work.

I did the gene test and am Heterozygous for both DIO1 and DIO2, so I will mention that when I go.

I will increase Levo to 100 a day and see if that helps.

My Antibodies were coming down so disappointed to see them raised again..., maybe I unwittingly had gluten once (remember asking for gf in a sandwich shop once but afterwards wondered if she’d forgot and given me a normal wrap and crisps) that’s all I can think of 🤔.

I might try the AIP after Xmas.

[shaws Administrator in reply to jamjar67]

I think as you have Heterozygous for both DIO1 and DIO2, seeing an Endocrinologist may be very helpful for you (I sincerely hope).

I'd ask for a referral by your GP. He may be reluctant but there's no reason he can refuse.

[jamjar67 in reply to shaws]

Yes my GP referred me, I don’t really understand but although she referred me, you actually book your own appt on a self referral website 🤔 anyway I think I’ve struck lucky as there was one slot on the 29th Oct, must have been a cancellation - Now I feel I have very little time to prepare ‘my case’....!

[shaws Administrator in reply to jamjar67]

I hope the Endo is knowledgeable and sympathetic and knows how best to relieve your symptoms.

[jamjar67 in reply to shaws]

Me too, he is a diabetes expert but I know a lady who he has prescribed T3 to although she said it took 9 months - anyway we’ll see... got my cortisol saliva today too which is low too and I’ve got Paul Robinson’s books.... I’m just not that good at explaining what I’ve read.... anyway we’ll see....

Atleast I know now that I need T3 adding so if I get nowhere I can fathom it myself with support from this site and Paul’s books 😊

[AiryFairie]

Your Vitamin D is really low in range, you should try and raise this and see how you feel then. A few weeks ago I was thinking I may need to raise my NDT, but after taking Vit D3 (softgels, 5,000IU) with co-factors Mk-7 and Magnesium) I have really perked up! I felt a positive difference within days. As SlowDragon says, improving vitamins can help improve conversion.

[jamjar67 in reply to AiryFairie]

Yes I’m really disappointed with my Vit D as I thought this time it would be optimal however I’ve been taking the Betteryou spray with K2 which I thought was 3000iu but realised you need 3 sprays for it to be this amount!! I was taking 2 sprays thinking I was taking 6000iu but turns out I was only taking 2000iu !!

Also had 10 days in Spain but seems the sunshine didn’t make a difference!!

Which supplement do you take?

[AiryFairie in reply to jamjar67]

Doctor's Best D3 5000IU. They are nearly all gone, and I have bought some by NaturPlus which seem a lot cheaper (sunflower oil as opposed to the Doctor's Best extra virgin olive oil). Hopefully they will be ok. Also Solray magnesium glycinate and Jarrow Mk-7.

[jamjar67 in reply to AiryFairie]

Thank 😊