Advice please

[Helcatamy]

Hi all I’m hypothyroid and been managing well taking t3 for the last few months but had tests last week and they say that my tsh is 15.82 and ft3 is High (didn’t tell me how high) obviously ft4 is low but don’t think that matters. Am wondering how I can have a high ft3 and still have high tsh?? Doc gave me levo again and it’s making me ill again so would rather increase the t3 but if it’s high then.....?? Why wouldn’t it lower my tsh?? Any ideas anyone? Thank you

[greygoose]

We really don't like being told that something is high or something is low because high and low are subjective. We need the actual numbers: results and ranges for TSH, FT4 and FT3. Also antibodies if you have them. Then, we'll be able to make intelligent comments, rather than just guessing.

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

Do you take any supplements containing biotin? If so, did you stop them a week before the blood draw?

Are you taking T3? If so, how long a gap did you leave between the last dose and the blood draw?

[Helcatamy in reply to greygoose]

Yes taking t3 and was about 2 hours after taking it (doc told me to carry on taking it as normal) so could have caused a peak; not taking anything with biotin in it.

[greygoose in reply to Helcatamy]

You should leave a gap of 8 to 12 hours between your last dose of T3 and the blood draw. Otherwise, all you are testing is your last dose of T3, and not the normally circulating T3 in your system. So, that's why your FT3 is so high. And, if your doctor doesn't know that, then she knows nothing about thyroid. It most definitely did cause a peak! You couldn't expect anything else.

[Helcatamy in reply to greygoose]

I know sorry the doc didn’t tell me and I was at work when she called so I just wrote down what she told me

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Helcatamy]

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

Never accept verbal results, mistakes are common

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

[Helcatamy in reply to SlowDragon]

They don’t do them online where I am but they do tell me when I visit to see them in person just didn’t have a chance when she called; plus was arguing about getting a referral as she won’t do one for me. Just tells me all the scary stuff that will happen if I don’t lower my tsh - by taking levo. I’m not taking anymore after today because I don’t think it’s normal to be having these side effects and I can’t function on it. Going to try and pay for go private by researching the right doctor or endo. Just wondered if there’s a possible reason my t3 wouldn’t make my tsh lower really. Thank you for you replies.

[greygoose in reply to Helcatamy]

How much T3 are you taking? It won't lower your TSH unless you take enough of it. And, your last test is null and void - doesn't tell you anything. Your FT3 level is probably pretty low, normally.

[Helcatamy in reply to greygoose]

It was just 25mg a day but have increased it by a further 12.5 mg now and feel ok taking it, thinking of sticking to that for a bit

[greygoose in reply to Helcatamy]

I think that's a good idea. If you can, stay on it for six weeks, and then retest. But, make sure you get your test done early morning - before 9 am - after fasting over-night, and leave a gap of 8 - 12 hours between your last dose of T3 and the blood draw.

Do you take any T4/levo? If so, you should leave 25 hours between the last dose and the blood draw.

[Helcatamy in reply to greygoose]

Thanks think I’ll stick with the increase in t3 and not do the t4 because it’s really messing me up again. Doctor wanted me to take levo again despite me saying how awfully it affects me but I just cannot tolerate this; this isn’t a life - and that’s after only a few days back on it! Was on it for ages last time to ‘give it time’ and it only got worse until I quit and started t3, then life came back to me! Think I’ll increase the t3 and go back for bloods in 6 weeks and keep y fingers crossed haha

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Helcatamy]

If not had vitamins tested for some time then get these tested too

When on T3, make sure to take last small 5-10mcg dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test