Hi everyone, I have been on levothryoxine for 10 weeks now from 25 to 50 then to 75. I just has my first blood test since before I started treatment (almost 3 weeks into the dose of 75mcg which I know is early but I see my endo in a couple of weeks so this was when the doctors were told to do it.) As I have said on previous posts I feel just as bad and some things have got worse - my digestion is so slow that I am consuming a liquid diet to get enough calories to live and currently am on my 7th constipated day! I just got my results back and they were as follows, taken at 3pm not fasting.
T4 18.8 range (10-20)
T3 4 range (3.5-6.5)
Going by this I think it proves I'm not converting if my calculations are right my T4 is almost 90% through range but my t3 is only 16% through. My question is is it normal for me to be having some worse symptoms even though my t3 has gone up from the 3 it used to be even though it clearly isn't anywhere near optimal? I am also unsure whether these results are worth sending to my endo now rather than waiting the 2 weeks until I see him in person?
Thank you again
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liaratsoni
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For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies
Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies, if not been done
You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative
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 did your tests?
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
Cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )
Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.
Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.
Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.
Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet.
No other medication at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap. Some like calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away
(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)
Levothyroxine should always be taken on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and more effective taken at bedtime
Hi! I didn't take my levothyroxine the morning I had the test so it had been over 24 hours since last dose when I had blood drawn. I hadn't been told that and only knew to do so because I had seen about it on here before! I had major problems with TEVA and so currently take mercury pharma which I split to get 75mcg. If I may ask what can be the causes of conversion problems? Thank you for all your help again!
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