Update - Meds increased.

[bluejoppo]

Yesterday I visited my GP here in Germany for the results of my last bloods - she said oh everything looks good. I then asked for the results to put into the calculator and said to her oh it isn't good, my ft3 has raised a little but my ft4 has dropped and they are both now under 30%. (I had explained the calculator last time I was there) I gave her a print out of the calculator from last time which I had used from the SchilddrusenZentrum along with the info that says under 30% is bad and that the TSH is . She agreed that how I feel is important and so we have an increase from Novothyral 75 that I started in April (after taking half a tablet with thyroxine previously) to Novothyral 100 and bloods again in 8 weeks.

Results: FT3 - 2.7 range 2.0-4.4 (29.17%)

FT4 - 10.0 range 8.0 - 17.0 (22.22%)

TSH 0.38 which no doubt will drop further down but hopefully the info I gave her will allow me to continue on this path. Info below.

' Interpretation of Hashimoto's thyroiditis values

If the fT3 and fT4 values ​​are below 30%, there is usually an underfunction and the thyroxine dose should be increased.

Most patients suffering from Hashimoto's thyroiditis only come into the comfort zone from values ​​above 70%, sometimes only at values ​​close to 100%. However, the laboratory values ​​are not as important as the patient's condition. However, the fT3 and fT4 values ​​must not exceed 100%. Then there is a risk of long-term damage to health such as heart disease or osteoporosis.

A large difference between the fT4 and fT3 values ​​is insignificant if the patient feels comfortable. A low fT3 can also indicate a conversion disturbance from fT4 to fT3. If there are symptoms of an underactive thyroid, the therapy should be adjusted accordingly. When taking natural pork thyroid hormones, the fT4 value is naturally lower in relation to the fT3 value. '

So heres hoping I do actually start to see some improvement! Last year when my ft3 was 50% and ft4 was 88% I felt a lot better in myself although the other doctor then said I needed to reduce my L-thyroxine from 125 to 100.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

When taking any thyroid medication that includes T3 your a TSH will almost always be suppressed...as long as Ft4 and Ft3 are within range that’s fine

Important to regularly retest vitamin D, folate ferritin and B12 too

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).

If/when also on T3 or 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

[bluejoppo in reply to SlowDragon]

Bloods always done first thing and no tablet taken prior. I haven't got that far with the doc yet regards TSH but working my way up to it - she did acknowledge what I said about feeling better when it was under the norm. I take vit d and b12 anyway along with magnesium, vit k and selenium. Novothyral is combined tablet so i always take first thing in the morning half hr before breakfast.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to bluejoppo]

Yes I thought it was mix of T3 and T4 ...so ideally on day before blood test...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

[bluejoppo in reply to SlowDragon]

Ah ok, didn't do that for last bloods - took it as normal. Have never split the dose so it was 24hrs before. What difference does it make to the results?

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to bluejoppo]

Ft3 is short lasting ....so if taking last dose 24 hours before test you will get false low Ft3 result

[bluejoppo in reply to SlowDragon]

An ok. So next time I should halve my tablet and take.half.late afternoon the day before? That's difficult cos of.the whole empty stomach thing.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to bluejoppo]

Yes last half or third of daily dose 8-12 hours before test ...so after 9pm if testing 9am

Many people find it much better to split dose anyway