T4 /T3. Ratio

[ElspethMann]

Hello haven’t posted on here for some time. Haven’t had a blood test either for some time but will do so shortly. I have had an under active Thyroid for twenty years plus and I’m

grateful for all the information I have found on this site. I don’t get any useful support from my GP and have been self medicating for a few years...I buy T3 from abroad. Just going through a difficult time with insomnia, headaches , stiffness slight constipation. Is there a general guideline on what the ratio should be when taking T4 and T3.

Always grateful for advice from this site.

[ElspethMann]

Thanks for that...I’m taking 75 mcg of T4 and around 70 mcg of T3...it’s a conundrum don’t know which way to go. Felt like death this morning and now four hours later finally feeling ‘ok’. No point in discussing this with my GP the usual story...it’s down to us x

[ElspethMann]

No but will do so soon...thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

That’s quite a large dose of T3

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test 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

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 quarter 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 as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Medichecks - JUST vitamin testing including folate - DIY finger prick test

medichecks.com/products/nut...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

[ElspethMann in reply to SlowDragon]

Many thanks Slow Dragon...seems like a mountain to climb when not feeling good but yes it’s the only way. And yes probably taking too much T3 I shall reduce it for now. The fear of not sleeping 😳😳

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ElspethMann]

Ideally.....Getting tested when on unchanging dose for 6-8 weeks

Perhaps test now, before reducing?