Finally did it - first ever private test results!

[Jooju2004]

Hello

After 2 years on the thyroid rollercoaster I finally got Medicheck to check my levels (my GP had only ever tested TSH and FT4. I always assumed I had auto immune thyroid disease so now I know.

My results are below:

TSH 0.02 (0.27 to 4.2)

FT3 5.6 (3.01 to 6.8)

FT4 25.7 (12 to 22)

Thyroglobulin antibodies 548 (0 to 115)

Thyroid peroxidase 71.2 (0 to 34)

So, my questions:

the medicheck doctor notes pointed out that I seem to be over medicated and said that such a low TSH can lead to osteoporosis. Do I need to do something different? My resting heart rate is around 57, I feel well and have no symptoms of being over medicated.

My FT3 seems good but T4 high. If I reduce my thyroxine dose I’m worried this will affect my FT3 - I suppose I’m wondering whether I can go on like this or whether I need to be supplementing my T3 if this would get round it better?

I would be so grateful for any advice as to what I should be doing next - thanks to all the incredible contributors on here I feel so much more able to deal with this!

[Lora7again]

I would not listen to the medichecks clinician because they can advise but they are not experts on thyroid disease. I have said this before one commented that I should have a blood test every 6 months because I might become hypothyroid in the future. I have been suffering from Graves' Disease for 12 years now and I did put that on history but they seemed to have ignored it and just gone by the TSH and other results. My Thyroglobulin antibodies had dropped from 4000 to 2500 so the clinicians comment that is a good sign your thyroid is functioning normally .... load of rubbish in my honest opinion. They are good for testing blood and can draw your attention if they spot something unusual but they are just as bad as some GPs or even dare I say one particular Endocrinologist who once offered me counselling because he had overdosed me on PTU and my TSH was 9 and I was very ill and tearful.

I think your results look good, are you feeling completely well now?

[Jooju2004 in reply to Lora7again]

Ahh that’s interesting! That does seem to be the issue doesn’t it! Advice from people who probably know less than a lot of people on here!

Yes I feel totally well thanks - a bit of reflux creeping back (which I haven’t had since I was properly medicated) but feel so thankful to everyone on here because it’s down to them I take the vitamins I do and that I fought for thyroxine increases when on paper I looked fine. I guess I just wondered if the T4 level/the TSH osteoporosis comment might be an issue.

I can’t believe your endo made you so unwell!😳 - and then to blame your mental health!!!

[greygoose]

If you feel well, stay as you are. Don't change anything. You are a poor converter, so your FT4 is high compared to your FT3. But, if your FT3 is high enough to make you well, then just ignore your TSH. Low TSH does NOT lead to osteoporosis.

If you think you need your FT3 higher to be well, then adding T3 to a lower dose of levo would be the next step. But, that will not raise your TSH, if that's what you're think. TSH would still be suppressed. However, that is not a problem, whatever the Medicheck's doctor thinks - as Lora said, he's not a thyroid expert.

Just reducing your levo, without adding T3 would probably reduce your FT3 a bit, yes. By how much is anyone's guess. There are no certainties with thyroid. It's all trial and error.

[Jooju2004 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you - that’s hugely reassuring!

If it ain’t broke I won’t fix it!

[greygoose in reply to Jooju2004]

Good.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Ideally you want to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 ....especially as you have Hashimoto's

Next time you could get these tested ...

Or get GP to test vitamins

Just vitamin D test here ...good starting point

vitamindtest.org.uk

Optimal vitamin levels helps improve conversion of FT4 to FT3....resulting in lower FT4 and higher FT3

[Jooju2004 in reply to SlowDragon]

... which I guess would result in potentially a lower dose of thyroxine being needed.

Thank you - I have b12 injections, my last ferritin (on 200mg a day) was ok at 74, and I supplement folate and Vit D too but I will definitely get them tested in the next month or so as I can’t remember when they were last checked (apart from the ferritin my GP says there’s no point!).

Thank you so much for your advice x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jooju2004]

It probably doesn't mean dose reduction in Levothyroxine

It might mean less of difference in percentage through range of FT4 and FT3 than current results

Ideally they should be roughly equal percent through range

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

[Wetsuiter]

if you (or your Dr) have any concerns about osteoporosis, then ask for a DEXA scan, to tell you one way or another.