Thyroid levels normal, still feel crap

[Hyperbee]

I was on a high dose of carbimazole (80mg) which brought my T3 and T4 levels down to normal in just over a month. My T3 was 46.1 to start with!

Today’s results:

TSH: 0 mlU/L (0.3 - 5)

FT3: 6.5 pmol/L (3.6 - 10.4)

FT4: 19.4 pmol/L (7.5 - 21.1)

I still feel as bad as ever, and none of my symptoms have improved. I even still have a tremor despite taking 80mg propanolol.

Is this normal? I always imagined I’d feel great when my hormone levels were within range!

[greygoose]

Your FT3 is now very low. Only 42.65% through the range. That's probably too low for you, and that's why you feel bad.

Have you had any antibodies tested? If so, which ones?

[Hyperbee in reply to greygoose]

I’m surprised to hear that as it’s almost at the highest range value? I have had antibodies tested when I was diagnosed with Graves, I don’t have those results and don’t know what they specifically tested for. It was probably a decade ago now

[greygoose in reply to Hyperbee]

Sorry, I should have said your FT3 is only 42.65% through the range. It's T3 that causes symptoms, not T4.

I would suggest you find out what those antibodies were, and the level, because your treatment depends on them. Or, ask to have them tested again.

[Hyperbee in reply to greygoose]

If FT3 increases I’m guessing FT4 will become too high. How do people get around that?

Thanks I will look into that. Thyroid problems are like a full time job!

[greygoose in reply to Hyperbee]

I think you've got that the wrong way round. T4 is converted to T3, although the thyroid does make some T3. It's usual for FT4 to be slightly higher in range than the FT4, and it doesn't matter that much if the FT4 is over-range, because it's basically a storage hormone, as long as the FT3 is in-range. T3 is the active hormone, which causes symptoms if it's too high or too low.

Your dose of carbi is so high that it's reducing the thyroid's production of thyroid hormone too far. If the dose was reduced, the levels would rise. They need to be exactly in the right place, not just anywhere in-range. Have a word with your doctor about reducing the carbi.

[Hyperbee in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for your insightful responses. I’m on 2x 10mg carbimazole now

[greygoose in reply to Hyperbee]

You're welcome.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to greygoose]

I think you mean Ft3

[greygoose in reply to SlowDragon]

Oops! Sorry, yes, I did.

[Marz]

In your last post of 7 days ago your Ferritin was low and a Full Iron Panel was suggested. Am wondering if that happened ? Low Ferritin/ Iron can make you feel poorly ...

[Hyperbee in reply to Marz]

Yeah I have low iron, it’s 7 and should be between 10 and 32. Interestingly my haemoglobin and all that stuff is normal.

Mean Cell Volume is a little low: 76.9 (range 80 - 100)

And MCH is 25 (27 - 34)

Other than that everything is normal. I’m supplementing iron anyway, but I wonder if that will make me feel better as I’m not massively anemic

[Marz in reply to Hyperbee]

How ard you treating your anaemia ?

[Hyperbee in reply to Marz]

Ferrous sulfate 3x a day

[Marz in reply to Hyperbee]

With Vit C to aid absorption ?

[Cleo1031]

Check your B12....maybe anemic