Lab Results

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) Ab 19 Range 0-34

TSH- 1.920. Range 0.450-4.500

T4, Free(Direct)- 1.54. Range- 0.82-1.77.

My doctor didnt test for T3. He said it was not necessary basically. I've been on 50 mcg of levothyroxine for 6 weeks. Felt incredible for first week of being on it. Now it feels like I'm slowly deteriorating. My main symptoms are mental and if I dont get the right medication I'll probably start having high anxiety along with wonderful panic attacks. Reaction to fillers? We decided on switching to Armour. My brain feels real foggy so I dont think I'm making good decisions so I'm mostly depending on the advice of others. My doctor has agreed to test for t3 next time. Hes willing to test different combinations of meds to see if it helps me but I'm not sure hes as knowledgeable on this subject as some of the people from this site. Thanks for the help and encouragement everyone.

[Lalatoot]

You have changed from levothyroxine which is T4 only medication to Armour which has T4 and T3 in it. The doctor will need to test FT3 next time as you are now taking T3 medication. Your results will need to be interpreted differently too.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just testing TSH and FT4 is completely inadequate

You need FT3, vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

Plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies if not been done

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Now you are on armour you will need bloods retested after 6 weeks

when on T3, or NDT make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

I messed up and took the levothyroxine a few hours before my blood test. Brain fog! I'll ask him to test for those. Do you think its the right move to try a different drug or should I have stuck with levothyroxine longer? I felt so well on it at the beginning. Thanks for your help though. I need all I can get.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Everyone is different

Many need to try different brands of Levothyroxine.

Lots of different NDT too

Getting vitamins optimal can help regardless