Can someone please help with T3 test results ! & give advice

[GirlGone_Hypo]

Hi all it’s a longtime since I posted here and once again would be grateful for anyone’s insights

Having been diagnosed with hashimotos last year I have omitted gluten and coffee from my diet !

I still exercise but not as diligently as before ! As some days I have zero energy brain fog is getting worse and noticeable by my teens !

I have taken the advice and had my T3 tested privately !

Latest results TSH 2.53 range 02 - 4.2 bearing in mind 2 weeks ago this test showed 1.49 and lab refused to test t3 at that stage but I insisted and had them done again this week !

TSH 2.53 range .27 - 4.2

T4 16.3 range 12-22

T3 4.17 range 3.1 - 6.8

I have been told by gP that results are normal but I don’t know what is normal I’m on eltroxin 100mg X 5 days and 125mg x 2 days ! My fatigue is unreal , my mood swings are horrendous , I certainly don’t feel normal ! I feel like I’m banging my head off a brick wall as I’m tired all the time and cranky happy one minute , crying the next , or ready to flare up at any minute ! Surely this can’t be normal I’m also in the menopause

Thanks in advance I’ve always received great advice here

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Irish_irene

TSH 2.53 range .27 - 4.2

T4 16.3 range 12-22

T3 4.17 range 3.1 - 6.8

As you have Hashimoto's your results can fluctuate as and when the immune system attacks the thyroid.

Did you have this test done as we advise, i.e.

* No later than 9am

* Fast overnight from evening meal/supper the night before

* Last dose of Levo 24 hours before blood draw

* Drink water only on the morning until after the test (eating and coffee can affect TSH)

* Leave off Biotin/B Complex containing Biotin for 7 days before test

If so then your results are reflecting your current normal circulating hormone.

Your TSH is too high, your FT4 is only 43% through range and your FT3 is only 29% through range, all this points to you being undermedicated and explains the symptoms you describe.

The aim of a hypo patient generally, when on Levo, is for TSH to be 1 or below or wherever it needs to be for FT4 and FT3 to be in the upper part of their reference ranges, if that is where you feel well. When Hashi's is present, it may be necessary to adjust dose of Levo when these fluctuations in symptoms/results occur.

At the moment you need an increase in your dose of Levo and my suggestion would be to take 125mcg every day, retest in 6-8 weeks to see where levels lie and how you feel.

I would also check nutrient levels - Vit D, B12, Folate, Ferritin - ensure that they are optimal as that's what we need for thyroid hormone to work properly, and when Hashi's is present it often leads to poor nutrient levels. If you get get those tested, post results with reference ranges so we can comment and make suggestions if any are low.

[GirlGone_Hypo in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi seaside susie first test was done at 9.30 am I fasted and only had water and no Levo for 24 hours beforehand

2nd test this week was done at 10.45 only app available I had green tea and a banana

I knew TSH should be about 1 from this group but yet nurse had no idea and gp said all normal

I take folic acid and had all other tests before all came back “ normal “ everything seems to be normal in their eyes bar how I’m feeling !

I was hoping to get t3 I have heard so many speak about on here and my own GP said he would prescribe it when he got results but the clinic I went to are saying they are normal and he has stated he’s not trained in endocrine system and I told him about the t3 testing hence the referral .... do you think I need t3 as there has to be more to living than this ? Or just an increase in Levo

I just don’t understand as I’ve been to an private Endo who didn’t do the t3 testing either I feel I’m throwing money away and constantly being told all is normal

It’s extremely frustrating I’ve now seen 3 GPs and 1 endo !

Thanks for replying susie 😃

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to GirlGone_Hypo]

A 10.45am test should give a lower TSH than a 9.30am test due to the normal daily rhythm so taking into account your previous earlier test when TSH would be higher at that time, then there is a fair difference in this result. Becausyour level has gone from 1.49 to 2.53 - and that would have been higher if blood had been drawn at 9am - then that shows you need an increase in your dose of Levo.

You're being told everything is normal purely because the results fall within range, but they're not being interpreted by taking into account previous results and where you need them to feel well. This is why so many of us are kept unwell, doctors just see a result in range and that's fine by them, they are treating a number instead of a person.

Your FT4 and FT3 results show that conversion could be better but it would be better to have TSH down to 1 and FT4 higher before we know for sure. Also as conversion relies on optimal nutrient levels these are recommended to be:

Vit D - 100-150nmol according to the Vit D Council /Vit D Society

B12 - top of range for Total B12, at least over 70 for Active B12 (better is over 100)

Folate - at East half way through range

Ferritin - half way through range

I assume your folic acid is prescribed so you had Folate deficiency? What are all the "normal" results you have, can you post them with their ranges and say if you take any other supplements.

[GirlGone_Hypo in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi susie

I haven’t had ferritin , vitamin d or b12 done this time I purely went to get my T3 tested because I can’t fathom the fatigue and brain fog and was hoping these tests would indicate why , therefore my GP only requested these bloods

My last bloods were November 2018

Ferritin 76 ng/ml 5-204

Folate 19.2 ng / ml 3.1-20.0

Vit b12 316 pg/ ml -189/883

You are probably as confused as I am the only supplement I’m taking is folic acid , I am on aspirin 75mg I stopped taking statins about a year ago as I had a myocardial infarction in 2015 at age 46 and I don’t want to be on statins I eat a well balanced diet ! I workout and consider myself in one way healthier than ever as I lost the weight from this disease but it’s just the fatigue that’s a killer and no drive to do things on certain days it’s all a mis mash ups and downs

Thank you I am going to relay all this to my gp in an email if that’s ok with you as I don’t understand the levels no matter what I read or listen too

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to GirlGone_Hypo]

Vit b12 316 pg/ ml -189/883

I think this needs investigation. Some people with a B12 level in the 300s have been found to need B12 injections.

Check to see if you have any signs of B12 deficiency here:

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

If so then list them to discuss with your GP and ask for testing for B12 deficiency/pernicious anaemia.

B12 and folate work together, so if you had folate deficiency then there might be a connection.

[GirlGone_Hypo in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you susie I will read through the list and consult with my GP you’ve been a tremendous help today

Thank you kindly

🤗

[Mon62]

Hi I go to a doctor in may n o o th Kildare and he gives me nature thyroid with T 3 and T 4

[GirlGone_Hypo in reply to Mon62]

Hi I’ll ask my GP if he knows of that