early yesterday morning during a doctors appointment the doctor announced she would be doing a blood test (normally i have a few days notice as they are done in the medical centre across the road. I have just received a text saying my tsh has come back low and my t4 is normal (tsh 0.13 (normal 0.35 -5.00) serum free t4 17.3 (normal 0.35 - 5.00) my t4 since diagnosis has always come back normal, and i will be referred to an endocrinologist, I currently take 100mcg levo and 25mcg t3 (bought privately )and 4 days ago I though i would try a slight increase (obviously not knowing about the blood test) as i have really struggled recently with fatigue so increased to 112mcg as i had some tablets left over, i am confused as i think according to my results i am fine and should feel normal but although the t3 made a big difference I still struggle with bouts of tiredness, poor quality sleep ,weight and my eyebrows etc havent grown back after 18 mths of diagnosis, last time i had my vitamins checked they came back fine and i supplement with magnesium and selenium and a "wholefood" multi vitamin. any ideas?
thanks Ian
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ianskelly
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am confused as i think according to my results i am fine and should feel normal but...
but, you have no idea what your FT3 is, and if your FT3 isn't fine, then you won't be! It's low T3 that causes hypo symptoms. Not TSH. And not T4. You can expect your FT4 to be low-ish when taking T3, and that might matter and it might not. The most important number is the FT3.
Are you keeping an eye on FT3 yourself as it seems your GP isn't testing this?
Your GP obviously doesn't like your below range TSH, and there's not much you can do about that when taking T3.
I'm surprised she's referring you to an endocrinologist just for low TSH with normal FT4, why did she not just suggest lowering dose of Levo? Chances are the endo may not agree to see you anyway.
i havent tested my t3 through medichecks so i may have to get that done and post on here, I tried t3 with out testing as levo didnt really seem to be helping me and i instanstantly felt better, i am really annoyed with my self for increasing levo 3-4 days before...
It's essential to test T3 before starting it, then add T3 slowly stating with 1/4 of a tablet and increasing by 1/4 of a tablet at a time, monitoring with testing and awareness of symptoms. Also, before starting T3 we should test our nutrient levels and optimise them.
thanks as i say i will look at ordering a test tomorrow (hopefully on disocunt) i will carry on with the t3 untill results back, yesterday my doctor increasead my dosage from 100 to 125 (before obviously i had my results) should i stick to my 100mcg now my tsh low?
Don't change anything until after you've done the Medichecks test otherwise you'd need to wait 6-8 weeks after a dose change for levels to settle before testing.
i have just paid for a ultra thyroid and vitamin test trough medichecks, can you advise me the best time of day to do the test, should i take my levo (100mcg)/ should i take the t3 i have bought without prescription (25mcg) that morning as per usual ? thankyou
* Book the first appointment of the morning, or with private tests at home no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. If we are looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction then we need TSH to be as high as possible.
* Fast overnight - have your evening meal/supper as normal the night before but delay breakfast on the day of the test and drink water only until after the blood draw. Eating may lower TSH, caffeine containing drinks affect TSH.
* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw, if taking NDT or T3 then last dose should be 8-12 hours before blood draw. Adjust timing the day before if necessary. This avoids measuring hormone levels at their peak after ingestion of hormone replacement. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.
* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it can give false results (both Medichecks and Blue Horizon advise to leave Biotin/B Complex off).
These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.
You said you were taking 100mcg Levo, then increased to 112mcg a few days ago then said your GP raised your dose to 125mcg. How much Levo are you actually taking now? You need to be on a stable dose for 6-8 weeks before testing.
i took the 112mcg for 3 days but after the blood test i have gone back to my normal dose of 100mcg as i assume taking more than 100mcg not a good idea for me / likely to improve my symptoms of inability to lose weight/ brain fog eyebrows etc not growing back
So 3 days with an extra 12mcg, it may not make much difference so by the time your kit arrives and you do the test it may be OK.
They recommend the sample arrives next day so I'd use Royal Mail's Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm Next Day and obtain a receipt with tracking number. Do the test and post Monday - Thursday if using Special Delivery, if you want to chance first class post then post back no later than Wednesday as it's not guaranteed to arrive next day and could be delayed.
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