Results

[Tyna20]

I have just received my results back from Medichecks.

Ferritin has to be redone so don’t have the result.

T-S H. 0.19. 0.27-42

Free T3 4.77 3.1-6.8

Free thyroxine 17.1 12-22

TPA 10.2 0-34

Thyroglobulin antibodies 13.9 0-115

B12 141 37-187

Ferritin 163 13-150

Vit D 73.6 50-175

I would be grateful if someone could let me know if they are as deemed as normal.

I’ve recently had symptoms of Atrial fibrillation . I’ve Been given beta blockers and anti coags twice a day and taken off the HRT after being on it for 25 years. I’m suffering with hot flushes and generally feeling tired and lethargic . I have to force myself to do things. Im feeling as I did 15 years ago before I was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism . I cannot for love or money lose any weight. I’m about 2 stone overweight and it seems to be 1 step forward and 2 back. I do aqua and body pump 3-4 times a week, swim and cycle . I would be grateful for your input on my results.

TIA

Tyna

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Tyna20

What thyroid meds are you taking?

When did you take your last dose before the test?

Vit D could be better, the Vit D Council recommends a level of 125nmol/L and the Vit D Society recommends 100-150nmol/L. Do you supplement?

[Tyna20 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Levothyroxine 100mg . I was on 125 for years until my heart started in November and the cardiologist said I should drop it by 25 as I was over medicated. My Tsh result was 0.03. I took my last dose 24 hours previous to taking the Medichecks blood test. I feel like shite. My bones ache especially my legs, everything is an effort. Do you think I Would I benefit from a little T3?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Tyna20]

Tyna20

T-S H. 0.19. 0.27-42

Free thyroxine 17.1 12-22

Free T3 4.77 3.1-6.8

Your FT4 is 51% through range and your FT3 is 45% through range so they are pretty well balanced. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally, when on Levo only, is for TSH to be 1 or below with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their reference ranges if that is where you feel well.

I was on 125 for years until my heart started in November and the cardiologist said I should drop it by 25 as I was over medicated. My Tsh result was 0.03.

TSH is not an indicator of overmedication, it's FT3 that tells us if we're overmedicated but unfortunately the medical profession appears to be totally ignorant of this fact. Was FT4 and FT3 tested at this time?

Do you think I Would I benefit from a little T3?

Not at this stage. Your FT4 and FT3 are quite well balanced so it's a case of first getting your FT4 further up in the range then seeing where your FT3 lies. I would say you need an increase in Levo at this stage.

Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine (the magazine for doctors):

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l. In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l. This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l).*"

*He recently confirmed, during a public meeting, that this applies to Free T3 as well as Total T3.

You can obtain a copy of the article by emailing Dionne at

[e-mail]

print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor and ask for an increase of 25mcg in your dose of Levo. If they're reluctant to increase by 25mcg then compromise on 12.5mcg. Retest after 6-8 weeks to check your levels.

Did you try T3 before, you have an old post on the forum showing in your profile asking for suppliers of T3.

My bones ache especially my legs

This can be an indication of low Vit D. Yours isn't too bad but could be better. Do you supplement?

[Tyna20 in reply to SeasideSusie]

FT 4 and FT3 wasn’t tested by the cardiologist in November. I’m not taking any vit D but I will start. My GP hasn’t taken away 25 mg so I will take your advice and start taking it again ,it was the cardiologist who said I should cut it. I did enquire about the T3 just in case I ever needed it. Thank you for your advice I will start taking 125mcg again and see how I feel.