Latest Thyroid Results - not sure what to increase

[Spangle15]

Hi

I have just got my latest blood results. I think my T3 is still a bit low and also my T4 could probably increase a bit. But before I email my endocrinologist, just wondering if you think I should increase my T3 as well as my T4. I have attached a table showing my last 2 lots of results, along with the dosage of thyroxine (I take 112 for 2 days, and then 100 mcg for one day) and T3 I was taking at the time.

Reference ranges T3 3.1-6.8

Free T4 12-22

Active B12 37.5 - 188

Folate 8.63 - 60.8

thank you.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Spangle15

There are no reference ranges with your results. As ranges vary from lab to lab we need the ranges that came with your results to be able to interpret them.

Also, with your dose of Thyroxine, does that mean that you are taking 324mcg daily?

[Spangle15 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Oh goodness, sorry SeasideSusie, I thought I was being helpful by doing like that, but actually I've realised its confusing. I have added range, and thyroxine dose, but it is 100 mcg for day 1, then 112 mcg for day 2 and day 3. I hope that makes sense.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Spangle15]

Spangle15

We're all individual where we need our FT4 level to be when on combination thyroid hormone replacement. Many are fine with lowish FT4, some of us need it higher up in range. I need both FT4 and FT3 around 70% through range on Levo plus T3. So it's something we have to find out for ourselves by trial and error.

FT4 is currently 56% through range and FT3 is 37.84% through range

Calculator here: chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

If those were my results and I was still working on tweaking to find my optimal levels, I would increase T3 at this stage.

Just to make absolutely sure, did you leave 24 hours between last dose of Levo and blood draw, and 8-12 hours between last dose of T3 and blood draw?

Your nutrient levels appear to be good.

[Spangle15 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks Susie, it’s very helpful to have your input as always. Yes I did leave the right number of hours between meds and tests.

[SarahJLD in reply to Spangle15]

So does this mean days 4,5,6 and 7 you take no levothyroxine and then start with day 1, 100 mcg again.

[Spangle15 in reply to SarahJLD]

No sorry, it was unclear, I repeat the three day cycle on day 4. So I take thyroxine every day.

[fuchsia-pink]

So free T4 is 55% / 56% through range and free T3 has increased to 37.8% through range. I'd say both are too low. If it were me, I'd increase levo up to 125 a day every day for a couple of weeks, then add another 5 mcg of lio and re-test after 6 weeks. Hopefully that will bring free T4 up to the top quartile and free T3 up quite a bit too. Then if free T4 is high but not over and free T3 still low, you can add another 5 mcg of lio and see where that takes you ...

It's all trial and error and can take a while to find the right dose for you. Good luck x

[Spangle15 in reply to fuchsia-pink]

Thank you so much. It’s good to have the percentages. It makes a plan of action much clearer.

[humanbean]

I've never seen anyone being prescribed with Levo in the way you are.

If I understand correctly (which I somehow doubt) you're taking a total of 324mcg Levo per week?

If divided by 7 that averages 46mcg per day. Why doesn't your doctor prescribe 50mcg Levo per day instead? Far easier for you I would have thought.

Do you take your T3 dose every day?

[Spangle15 in reply to humanbean]

Hi. Sorry the table is copied from my records but I didn’t think about the fact it wouldn’t make sense for others. I take 112 mcg for two days running, then 100 mcg on the third day and then repeat the cycle ie day 1 -112, day 2 - 112, day 3 - 100, day 4 - 112, day 5 - 112, day 6 -100, day 7 back to 112 again. Does that make sense?

[humanbean in reply to Spangle15]

Okay, I understand now.