Blood tests

[Ann-Simpson]

Hello these are my latest tests and would be very grateful to have advice as to whether they are in the right region. My GP has tried to get me to reduce the T3 but all sorts of symptoms came back so I have increased the dose from 20mcgs daily to 20mgs every other day and 25mgs every other day and feel better.

CRP HS 4.73 (<5)

Ferritin 122 (13-150)

VitaminB12 active 129 (>37.5)

Vitamin D 90.1 (50-175)

TSH 0.007 (0.27-4.2)

Free T3 5.19 (3.1-6.8)

Free thyroxine 16.1 (12-22)

Thyroglobulin antibodies 29.3 (<115)

Thyroid peroxide antibodies 86.7 (<34)

I had stopped taking Vit D being the summer months but looking at the result maybe I should continue all year round although I do spend a lot of time outside. Thank you in advance for your advice. Ann

[greygoose]

Bad idea to alternate T3 doses. To heal and recover, the body needs a constant, continual dose of T3, the same dose every day. Alternating just confuses the body. There was no reason for you to reduce it, anyway. If anything, I would have increased it. Don't give in to your doctors paranoia about the TSH. It's only an over-range FT3 that suggests you're over-medicated.

[Ann-Simpson in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your helpful reply, and will stop alternating the T3 dose. How near to the top of the range for the FT3 should we be?

[greygoose in reply to Ann-Simpson]

That depends very much on you. You need it to be wherever it makes you feel well. Optimal is not a number, it is a feeling.

[Ann-Simpson]

Thank you so much. The reason they wanted me to reduce the T3 was because they thought I had an erratic pulse and am waiting for results of a 24hr ecg monitor. In the meantime I have been taking magnesium as recommended on this site. You are all so helpful. I will stop alternating the dose and start back on the vit D

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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 third or half 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?