The ongoing blood test saga

[Suzanneharb]

Hi there,

You may remember I posted last week that my GP only ran an FT4 test so I had to pay for a private one (medichecks). Here's the insane fluctuations...

May 18th

(Medichecks + private hospital - exact same results)

TSH 0.005

FT3 6.91 (3.1-6.8)

FT4 24.2 (12-22

June 26th

- Dr surgery test

FT4 15 (9-19)

TSH 0.1 (0.3 – 4)

July 6th (Medichecks)

TSH 0.005

FT3 6.48 (3.1-6.8)

FT4 24 (12-22

My FT4 is all over the place! What should I do? I'm definitely not up for changing my dose since I've been on this dose for 10 years (so I can't imagine needing less all of a sudden)

Should I try and get antibody tests? If yes, how would I treat antibodies (or is the test just so we know what's going on)?

Thank you!

[greygoose]

Were all three of these tests done at the same time of day, and fasting, leaving 24 hours between the last dose of levo and the blood draw?

[Suzanneharb in reply to greygoose]

Yes to all except fasting. I never fast before a test (I’m not allowed to fast - medical issue)

[greygoose in reply to Suzanneharb]

OK, that would only affect the TSH, anyway. Not the FT4.

I think it would be a good idea to get antibodies tested, yes, just so you know what you're dealing with, such as variable results. But, there is not treatment for antibodies/Hashi's. All you can do is replace the hormones your deminishing thyroid can no-longer make enough of to keep you well.

[DippyDame]

26 days ago you wrote,

"I actually went for a blood test as I was feeling Hypo. I had only increased my Levo dose in March by 100mcg per week. So I've cut that out and am back on 200mcg T4 plus 20 T3 per day."

Increased levo by 100mcg per week....per week?

In today's post you write,

"My FT4 is all over the place! What should I do? I'm definitely not up for changing my dose since I've been on this dose for 10 years (so I can't imagine needing less all of a sudden)"

What dose are you currently taking? From what you say this is not clear!

Was this dose prescribed by a medic or are you self medicating?

200mcg T4 plus 20mcg T3 is a large dose of hormone replacement (for most people) and your results suggest overmedication.

However without a full thyroid panel including folate, ferritin, vit D and vit B12 plus antibodies it is difficult to analyse your thyroid health

Bear in mind that the ref ranges used by Medichecks and your GP are different so fluctuations may not be "insane" if testing was always done under the same conditions.

Just a few thoughts

Best...

DD