Just had a blood test for thyroid. Dr. Checked TSH <0.03 mu/L [0.35 - 4.94]
She also tested serum Free T4 result 11.2 pmol/L. [9.0 -19.0]
I feel well and have a reasonable amount of energy which I didn't have before I started T3.
I take Cynomel half a tablet 12.5mg and 100mcg Levothyroxine daily.
Would appreciate any help members can give me as dr wants to lower the Thyroxine and I have to have a blood test every two months to enable me to get the Thyroxine.
Thanking you
Does your doctor know you take T3? If so then she needs to know that taking T3 lowers, even suppresses, TSH so your TSH result is no surprise. Presumably your doctor bases dose on TSH which is wrong, it's not a thyroid hormone but they don't seem to understand that.
Your FT4 is already low in range, if you feel well with that level whilst on combination thyroid replacement then that's fine but if your Levo dose is lowered then your FT4 will go even lower (your FT3 might as well, I'm on combination Levo plus T3 and when I reduced my Levo my FT3 lowered as well as FT4).
Hi Seaside Susie thanks for reply. Yes she knows I'm on T3 and she is not happy about me taking it, hence the blood test every 2 months. She says I am my own person but she didn't prescribe so is not happy about me taking it. I pointed out that she wouldn't or couldn't prescribe it. But she just said that she would prefer I didn't take it as she didn't prescribe it. It does make things difficult though doesn't it.
She is not happy because she knows she doesn't know anything about thyroid disease. I would never let a Doctor advise me about my thyroid health because I probably know more than they do. That might sound arrogant but I have been a member of many sites in the USA and here and I have gained a lot of knowledge in the past 12 years. I had no choice because I was getting no help from my GP or the NHS.
I know what you mean and I'm not trying to undermine her but I just didn't feel well on just levothyroxine. No energy and depressed and lethargic and very little interest in things. Now I'm enthusiastic and have more interest in life and that's just adding a bit of T3. So it says it all really doesn't it. Thanks for reply
I agree with Lora7again . Few doctors are aware of the purpose of T3 in the human body and the fact that it was withdrawn altogether from being prescribed (due to high cost) means GPs are very cautious as they don't want to lose their licence if patient has a reaction to it. Those in authority had an excellent excuse to withdraw T3 as the price had shot sky-high and was instantly removed.
It is shocking that they removed T3 instantly, with no regard to patients who had already been prescribed and no warning with patients scrabbling about to try to source their own.
Thank you Shaws for your reply. Well they leave us with no choice do they. But when you try to help yourself and not asking them to pay for it, your still wrong. I have been seeing a haematologist for nearly 4 years due to low neutrophils. And for the first time in 15 years they were normal. A low normal, but normal. He couldn't understand why.
So I told him about the T3. Cut a long story short he said he was more than happy for me to continue to take them and although he couldn't say the reason was the T3 but he was happy to write to my dr saying he was happy for me to continue. So that was something but she still tests my blood every 2 months before I can get my prescription for levothyroxine. It's bizarre. Thanks again
Low Neutrophils linked to being hypothyroid .....extraordinary they just don’t know any this
whitelotusclinic.ca/blog/dr...
Great levels are improving with addition of T3
Hi SlowDragon thanks for your reply it's very interesting and the whitelotusclinic blog.
Hope you are well and coping with the Covid 19
Best wishes Pam
pamelashep
My GP is TSH obsessed, has a totally closed mind and will not discuss the fact that FT4 and FT3 are the relevant results, it's like she puts her fingers in her ears, goes lalalala and just keeps repeating "your TSH is suppressed, you are overmedicated".
Fortunately for me, the Advanced Nurse Practioner did listen and agreed that as my TSH had been suppressed for so many years (I've been hypo for 45 years) then it probably won't come back into range so as long as FT4 and FT3 are in range then he's OK with that. Of course, I now will only discuss my thyroid with the ANP.
However, my surgery doesn't know that I take T3 so I do my own tests to ensure FT4 and FT3 stay in range and try to avoid tests with the surgery.
It is essential that you test FT3 when you are taking T3. If your GP can't do it then do TSH, FT4 and FT3 with a private test. Make sure that your FT3 stays in range. You will then have evidence that you are not overmedicated if your FT3 is in range.
Hi ok. Will need to have a test with Blue Horizon I think to find out the FT3. That won't be for a couple of months I'm afraid. What would be the range I would be looking for. Thanks again
Make sure to include testing vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin...or get GP to test these
Your Ft4 is rather low....you might need a small dose increase in levothyroxine
But get Medichecks test first
How much levothyroxine are you currently taking?
How much T3?
Do you take T3 as split dose?
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)
If/when also on T3, make sure to take last 1/2 or 1/3rd of dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test
Hi SlowDragon. I take 100 mcg 12.5 T3 and 2.5 Bendroflumezide in the morning. As I find that works best for me.
Yes I could try Medichecks they are a bit cheaper I think.
No dr won't check the other things you suggest.
I also take and Omega 3 at lunch time and Magnesium at night to keep away from thyroid needs.
Thanks for advice.
Vast numbers of us are forced to test privately
If on T3 it’s essential to test at least annually...or after any dose change
Yes it would seem that is true. It's either put up or shut up, and feel ill all the time or pay to have a blood test privately. Because your dr won't do it and anyway if they aren't going to prescribe the T3 there is no point in them testing for it I guess.
Thanks for info, it's all very interesting. Thank you
You presumably don’t take bendroflumezide at same time as levothyroxine and T3?
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, (apart from T3) leave at least 2 hour gap.
Actually I do as I find it works better that way.
Have tried taking it a different time but never feel so good and have done for years. Just me I guess thanks for reply Pam
What would be the range I would be looking for.
Not sure what you mean. To show that you are not overmedicated you need your FT3 to be within the reference range.
Yes I realised after I posted that was a silly question as it depends on the labs ranges.
So I need to get FT3 checked which will show me then if everything is ok with the TSH and Free 4 then as well as the other things the Vit D and B12 etc.li will get that done as soon as possible. Thanks
Did you manage to get the private testing done as suggested ?
SlowDragon
Hi Marz no I didn't as it was shortly after we went into lockdown.
I see I put message on 4 months ago and had forgotten all about it till your message just popped up. Most strange. Anyway thank you for your reply and hope your keeping well and coping with the Covid 19
Best wishes Pam
Yes someone posted a Like on a post that was in Reply to you - so took a look ! You can still have Private Testing done - NOT affected by Lockdown ... 🌻
Yes I know but gonna leave it ATM. Need to get back to a sort of normal and I'm still Sheilding. Thanks for replying. Pam
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