Any ideas on what is REALLY going on?

[Cathead]

Hey all! I have an ongoing issue where my TSH is suppressed, my T4 is nearly clinically low and my T3 is high. I take natural thyroid (prescription). TSH is 0.05, T4 is 0.75 and T3 is 4.1. My doctor sees anemia symptoms in my blood. I have been cold and exhausted with nails breaking, hair breaking, skin dry. I thought it was the thyroid but now I'm guessing it's the anemia stuff. But why would my T4 stay so low???

[greygoose]

Because you're taking T3. That's why your TSH is suppressed, too. But, I'm afraid I can't say more than that about your results because you haven't put the ranges. Ranges vary from lab to lab so we always, always need the ranges that went with your results. But, that it the way it works: taking T3, either by itself, or in NDT, will suppress the TSH and lower the FT4.

Anemia is one of the symptoms of low thyroid. I take it that by 'anemia' you mean low iron/ferritin? Have you had your other nutrients tested: vit B12, folate and vit D? They, too, could be low and should be tested.

How much 'natural thyroid' are you taking?

[Cathead in reply to greygoose]

Thank you! Very reassuring. I understood that TSH supressed but now I know about T4. I'll get those others tested. I don't eat meat every day so I'd agree that I'm likely deficient in b12 at least. By anemia - my RBC, Hgb, and Hematocrit is low. My WBC is low too so I dunno. .

[greygoose in reply to Cathead]

If you don't eat much meat it's not surprising that you are anemic, but I really don't know much about it.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Also EXTREMELY important to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Do you have Hashimoto’s?

Ask GP to test vitamin D, folate and B12 levels

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

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 .

This gives highest TSH and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

When on NDT make sure to take last half or third of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

For thyroid including antibodies and vitamins

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

[Cathead in reply to SlowDragon]

I did antibody testing on my own and nothing even remotely abnormal. Hashimotos has been ruled out thank goodness. FT4 is 0.75 with the range starting at .70 .... But understanding that NDT typically lowers T4 is helpful. I didn't realize that. I take my 1.5 grain at 1 AM and the test was 9 AM ish in a tasting state. I took note of the vitamin D, folate and B12 levels as well as the iron tests ... I see my GP soon and will request those tests. Here in the US, we can get our own tests easily for most anything