Synacthen test

[Jodiedebs55]

Iv been asked by the endo to come in for a synacthen test to check my cortisol levels I only know this as I literally had to Google it there was no info except to say I have to have a canula then blood draw then repeat in 30 mins ... should I take my levo and T3 before ? Or wait till after ? Iv never had one . Also on last visit endo caught me off guard and did a blood draw but I'd taken 75mcg T4 and 12mcg T3 as I didn't expect her to take my blood as I'd had them taken the week before so I was full of thyroid meds the results were TSH 0.0006

T3 7.2

T4 14.7

Cortisol 228

Can someone tell me if these results indicate under medicated please baring in mind I'd taken my meds 4 hours before thanks in advance

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

We need reference ranges please Jodie to interpret your tests.

[Jodiedebs55 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Ahhh I thought so but that's all the endo stated in her letter sorry susie

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jodiedebs55]

OK. Most FT3 ranges don't seem to go much higher than 6.8 to 7 so your FT3 is possibly a little over or at the top of it's range. Even though your took your dose before the test and allowing for the fact that it would measure higher than normal, I don't think there is any way your FT3 would show undermedication if your last dose was taken at the advised time of 8-12 hours before the blood draw.

Impossible to comment on your FT4 I'm afraid because ranges vary so much. My NHS range is 7-17 so you'd be at a decent level even if you'd left 24 hours since last dose of Levo. But if your range starts at 12, like some of them do, then you'd be low in range. It's just not possible to say anything about that result.

I'm afraid I don't know whether or not you should take your thyroid meds before your synacthen test, I've not had one, hopefully someone else will answer that for you.

[Jodiedebs55 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I took Meds 4 hours before because I didn't think I'd be giving blood so I panicked when she asked as I would have held off taking them , I posted my results last time but that was leaving it 24 hours and stupidly my T3 also 24 hours so it was a false low . I'm brain fogged 24/7 I shouldn't still be in this state but I'm better than I was when I was taking NDT that literally made me bed bound, now I'm awake but no motivation and practically a recluse , the thought of going outside causes me anxiety and my legs hurt so much . Sorry iv been waffling 😂

[greygoose]

Not under-medication as such. But maybe too low for you.

[Jodiedebs55 in reply to greygoose]

Ahhh thankyou , I'm still symptomatic of hypo my hair is literally 5 inches shorter on the right side and falls out and thin , also no eyebrows, chronic fatigue, my vitamin levels are all optimal so I'm guessing under medicated, thanks for your reply

[greygoose in reply to Jodiedebs55]

You're welcome. But, you also ought to check vitamin and mineral levels, because they can cause similar symptoms if low.

[Jodiedebs55 in reply to greygoose]

Thankyou I will , also may I ask if you take a B complex should you still supplement with B12 ? I know it's in there but a small amount but gp said it's fine just take B complex do people take both ? Or just the complex thankyou 😁

[greygoose in reply to Jodiedebs55]

Depends on the level of your B12. If it's very low, then you need both. If you've got it up to the top of the range, then a B complex is fine as a maintenance dose. As long as it's methylcobalamin.

I'm afraid you really shouldn't take nutritional advice from doctors because they know nothing about it. They don't 'do' it in med school.

[Jodiedebs55 in reply to greygoose]

To be honest I rarely listen i just let them waffle on and check out the view as it looks onto farmland 😂

[greygoose in reply to Jodiedebs55]

lol Very wise.

[Emyloulou]

I’ll let the experts comment on you thyroid results but in answer to your question about the synacthen test you are fine to take your thyroid medication as normal. The only medication that can cause a problem is oral contraceptives or hrt and both of these should be stopped for 6 weeks before.

I’ve had a few over the last couple of years and they are nothing to worry about x

[Jodiedebs55 in reply to Emyloulou]

Oh thank you , i have always wondered about the state of my adrenals but gave up asking for tests and didn't ask for this it came out of the blue and I didn't know what it was about until I googled it and still not 100% sure but thanks for the reply il take my thyroid meds as usual .