Test Results

[foxglove]

Result from Monitor my health, TSH 0.06(comment low) T4 15 Comment normal FT3 8.1 (Comment high) I am taking 1.25 grains thyroid-s Is this too much? and are results anything to be concerned about? I think someone (seaside susie?) was kind enough to advise last time!!!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

foxglove

FT3 range is 3.1-6.8 so you are quite a way over range which suggests overmedication.

Your FT4 of 15 (12-22) may be fine for some people on combination hormone replacement, we are all individual in where we need this (I need mine fairly well balanced with FT3 in the upper part of their ranges, and I take Levo plus T3).

The ratio of T4: T3 in NDT may not be right for you, you may be better with separate Levo plus T3 to give a better balance.

[foxglove in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks I will try reducing dose of thyroid- s for a bit to see if this helps. What a long time it seems to take. I don't feel any different regardless of what dose of med I take. Don't think doc. will oblige re levo T3 I'm trying to medicate myself and this is never popular!! I'm just concerned that I might be in danger with the 1.25 thyroid-s Got a feeling I will have to eat humble pie and throw myself on mercy of gp and confess

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

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 .

If/when on NDT 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?

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin levels last tested

[foxglove in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks, have followed recommended procedures, don't take any vit. supplements - try to get enough from diet....still possible even today. I think one's own system capable of looking after itself provided one doesn't follow any of the peculiar diets suggested on HU and in general! haven't had any vit. tests for about 10months as always happy with results when I do get tested. -and can't afford anyway! Doc says no need for NHS tests. My worry (and I am a worry wart) is that I might have done some damage by taking too much thyroid-s....silly me. Sooner or later will be confession time at gps. I was also silly in believing the reports of the WONDERFUL effects of NDT not for all alas should have known better. My problem is I have spent a lot on thyroid-s and don't know how to use it apart from reducing dose

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to foxglove]

Most hypothyroid patients have low stomach acid, so nutrient absorption can be poor regardless of how good diet is

Web links re low stomach acid and reflux and hypothyroidism

nutritionjersey.com/high-or...

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

healthygut.com/articles/3-t...

naturalendocrinesolutions.c...

Obviously a very high percentage of Hashimoto’s patients are gluten intolerant. Quite high number are lactose intolerant

[foxglove in reply to SlowDragon]

Interesting but don't think I agree a lot of imagination involved!!!!

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to foxglove]

lot of imagination about what?

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to foxglove]

Looking at previous posts

Presumably you have Hashimoto’s?

Catarrh or sinus is often sign of lactose intolerance

drhedberg.com/avoid-dairy-h...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidwellness.com/blogs/d...

Peripheral neuropathy is often low B12/B vitamins

Very very common with Hashimoto’s

academic.oup.com/nutritionr...

naturalendocrinesolutions.c...

Low B12 also extremely common as we get older

You will see thousands of posts on here about low vitamin levels

Come back with new post once you get vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 test results

[pennyannie]

Hey there again ;

Your results are pretty similar to mine :

I believe you are on Thyroid S, as I am, and my understanding is that the " S " stands for slow release and suggest that should you wait 24 hours between your last dose and a blood test your T3 result will then sit well within the T3 range and so not be of any concern.

When on Levothyroxine what levels of T3 and T4 were you getting ?

On Levothyroxine I was only able to achieve a spasmodic T3 of 5.4 with a T4 at 23.50 :

My TSH was suppressed at 0.01 and my doctor would reduce my dose causing me additional unwellness for which I was offered anti depressants.

Now on NDT my T3 is around 7. 8 / 6.3 after a 8 /16 hour time gap ( one fasting, and one after food ) between last dose and blood draw and my T4 is coming in at around 14/16 :

My TSH hasn't moved and is still suppressed at 0.01.

I have no symptoms of over medication and take 1 + 1 /2 NDT grains :

I feel fine most days and once on NDT my cognitive functions immediately improved, it was like a light bulb being switched on, and generally I am pleased with my progress.

I'm sorry you are disappointed and do not seem to have seen any difference in any of your hypothyroid symptoms. Normally this means you need to slowly keep increasing up the NDT by a 1/4 grain every week, until you feel a relief of the those symptoms being experienced.

Your body will tell you when you have increased too much as you'll experience symptoms of hyperthyroid so you simply drop back down to the dose you were taking the previous week and that is your dose on NDT.

Do you monitor your temperature and blood pressure daily, have these changed at all ?

My temperature went from 35.4 and now is at around 36.6. and my blood pressure was and is constant and stable.

When and if you reach 2 grains then hold this dose for 8 weeks and then take a blood test to see if there has been any improvement in your T3 level compared to where it was before you started the NDT - if the T3 hasn't improved and you still feel as you did when you first started NDT it probably means that this thyroid hormone replacement doesn't suit you and you may feel better adding synthetic T3 - Liothyronine to your T4 or taking T3 only.

If your T3 has improved but you still have symptoms you start again slowly increasing up from 2 grains by 1/4 grain increases until such time as you go too far and experience hyper symptoms and then you simply drop back down that last little increase and stay on the previous dose that you were taking the previous week and that is your dose on on NDT.

On NDT it is normal to see a low/suppressed TSH + a lowish in range T4 + a T3 running high or slightly over range :

The blood tests we seem bound to were designed to be used when treating with Levothyroxine and Liothyronine, and not NDT.

P.S, Whilst trialling NDT have you experienced any relief of any symptoms or any overactive, hyper symptoms such as anxiety, pounding heart, insomnia, nervousness, loose bowel, and or just feeling uncomfortable within your own skin and body ?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to pennyannie]

There's no evidence that it's slow release and it's not marketed as such

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

but I suppose the only way to find out for sure is to ask Sriprasit Pharma .

[foxglove in reply to pennyannie]

Thanks, and I wish I could experience either an uncomfortable or "feel good" to be honest I didn't feel the least unwell when first diagnosed I'm sorry I had test done...maybe i would have never known!!!