Test results

[Ralphie1]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone has any advice. I have hypothyroidism

I’ve got my result back from private blood test following gp only testing TSH and been feeling unwell for a while

TSH 0.34 which seems strange as had it done twice through doctors about 2 weeks ago and was 0.20 and 0.24. (0.27-4.20) which suggests it’s now in the range although know this reading isn’t so important

T4 - 88 (66-181

Free T4 16.2 (12-22)

Free t3 3.77 (3.1-6.8)

It showed had antibodies indicating Hashimoto

Also had quite high cortisol

But looks like these are all within range now not not sure what to about GP suggesting To slightly reduce Levothyroxine, would this not be advised given latest results?

Have to speak to them see what they think

Also wondered whether your thyroid results can be affected by your menstrual cycle/other hormone

Thanks very much

Kate

[fuchsia-pink]

Your results may be in range - but they're not very high in range.

Your free T4 is 42% through range; but your free T3 is only 18% through range. I would want both to be higher - in the top third - so you need at least another 25 mcg of levo. But I'd also be concerned that free T4 and free T3 aren't balanced - ie you don't convert very well - so even if you can increase your free T4 with some more levo, your free T3 may still lag quite a long way behind.

Which means you are quite likely to benefit from T3 meds. But lio is really tricky to get on the NHS. It can only be prescribed by an endo, so your GP will need to agree to refer you. And not all endos "believe in" T3 meds.

So you may do well to write a new post asking if anyone can recommend an endo local to you; and google the local hospitals to see if anyone mentions thyroid in their little biography; and email Dionne at Thyroid UK - [e-mail] - for the list of T3-friendly endos. You don't have to see the nearest person to you - but they must obv be reasonably convenient to get to.

Good luck x

[Ralphie1 in reply to fuchsia-pink]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply! Your message is really helpful still feel like don’t have clue despite trying to read up. I will definitely look into your suggestions. Thanks again

Kate

[Ralphie1 in reply to fuchsia-pink]

Hi I was just wondering if know if you can be referred the Endocrinologist outside your area in the nhs. I’ve got the list of t3 friendly endo’s. Can you definitely get T3 on the nhs in some areas do you know. I’ve heard from a friend Sheffield don’t prescribe it. And can an Endo prescribes it to you if your area doesn’t normally give it if that make sense? Sorry for so many questions and not wording it very well! Thanks Kate

[Lora7again]

You need an increase by 25mcg and keep increasing it until until your T4 and T3 are in the upper third of the range and you feel well. As for the TSH ... well that is a pituitary hormone not a thyroid hormone.

[Ralphie1 in reply to Lora7again]

Thanks Lora that’s really helpful!