Help with NHS test results please

[Bioluminence]

Hi I am currently using Thiroid supplements from thailand an someone please suggest what i need to do? up or lower dose based on these results

many thanks

B

Test resultSerum free triiodothyronine level;Serum free T4 level;Serum TSH level Report, Borderline, Need to speak to doctor

Coded entrySerum TSH level (XaELV) 0.13 miu/L [0.38 - 5.33] - Below low reference limit Information about this test

Coded entrySerum free triiodothyronine level (XaERq) 10.5 pmol/L [3.5 - 6.2]

Above high reference limit

Stated on ?T3 supplements Information about this test

Coded entrySerum free T4 level (XaERr) 10.4 pmol/L [8 - 16]

thanks you

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

When did you take your last dose of NDT before the test?

[Bioluminence in reply to SeasideSusie]

i took it on the morning of the test. I know they won't re test me.

[Bioluminence in reply to Bioluminence]

i would like to add, that i started to put my dosage up a few months ago as i want feeling well. the doctor wouldn't test me as they only do it once a year now and i couldn't afford a private one.

So i put the dosage up by one grain im currently on 5 grains of thiroid per day. I feel ok in myself but i have had some depression and did wonder if this was down to the medication also as i know i suffered with it for years until i was medicated!! so i am not sure wether to increase or decrease tbh

i dont really understand the result all i know is that i use thiroid as it made me feel better whereas that vile levothyroixine made me feel gross!

any help or advice for the oncoming year would be great i had to fight to get a T3 reading taken this time and they will not do it again.

thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bioluminence]

Bioluminence

i took it on the morning of the test.

In that case you have a false high result for your FT3.

When taking NDT (or T3) the last dose should be 8-12 hours before the blood draw, any closer and you get a false high and too long a gap and you get a false low. Even allowing for the fact that if you'd taken your NDT with the correct time gap and your FT3 would be lower, I doubt it would be in range so it's likely that you are over-medicated.

i started to put my dosage up a few months ago as i want feeling well. the doctor wouldn't test me as they only do it once a year now and i couldn't afford a private one..... So i put the dosage up by one grain im currently on 5 grains of thiroid per day.

When you get to that level of dose (in fact, once you get to 2 grains), any increase should be by 1/4 of a grain only so that you don't miss your sweet spot.

As Silverfox has said below, when taking NDT your TSH will very likely be low or suppressed and your FT4 will probably be low in range. The important test is the FT3 test and that would be, for most people, in the upper part of it's range.

If you have taken on the responsibility of self-medicating, then it's essential that you also ensure that all the tests you need are done, even if it means budgeting for them if your GP wont do them. You also need to test nutrients to ensure that they are at optimal levels so that thyroid hormone can work properly and also so that you know whether you have any low levels which might be causing symtoms. So ideally, once a year, you would also test Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin.

[Bioluminence in reply to SeasideSusie]

Many thanks for this reply I will lower my dose now and then look at getting a T3 test done in the next few weeks. Once I have that I will try and work out what does i need to be on. I know that my iron and folate are ok im seeing a haematologist for that. I also inject myself regularly with vitamin B so no issues there.

Its just getting this medication right. I will drop by a grain for now and see if there is any improvement

thank you again

[silverfox7]

Just as a guideline, if correctly medicated when taking any form of T3 then readings would by TSH suppressed. Mine is 0.01, FT4 can fall lower in its range, if we are properly medicated then we won’t need the T4 so our body only hangs onto a low dose, FT3 should be high in the range but never over and yours is but as SS suggests that could be down to went you took your last dose and when it was tested so if you can reply to SeasideSusie then she will be able to help you more.

[Bioluminence in reply to silverfox7]

I have spoken to doc who called me and she is also hypothyroid sufferer and totally understood the t3 situation , so i have agreed to lower my dose and she has agreed to do another t3 test in a few weeks. i dd however take advantage of the 33% off Horizon good tests and got a a basic test 3.

So im all set.

im so glad that this site exists.

thanks again.

Bio!