Latest results

[Roulette26]

I’ve now been on Levo since April following RAI in January.

First off I want to say thank you to all those generous people who have offered information and assurance.

I’m finally getting to follow your advice regarding early morning blood tests, when I mentioned what I was doing to the endo specialist nurse she confirmed it’s was the correct thing to do. Amazing how I’m getting advice after the event this is happening all the time.

My latest results

TSH. 6.9. (0.27-4.2)

T4. 18. (12-22)

Ferritin 290. (13-150)

Ferritin being checked by GP following my private Medicheck results, consultant not interested. Bloods, liver and iron panel ok

At my last phone appointment I was told the consultant said I should stay on 100 mcg. I insisted it be increased, waiting to start 125mcg.

I’m really not sure what’s happening, why is my TSH still out of line yet T4 good? Also I’m getting a heavy sensation at the front of my neck from time to time.

Can anyone enlighten me?

[pennyannie]

Hey there again :

Since you have had RAI thyroid ablation your feedback loop is broken and doesn't work :

so " just looking at a TSH " result is not gong to tell you anything of any importance.

It's a bit like looking at a car dashboard fuel indicator bit knowing it's not in working order.

You need to get out the car and use the dipstick . It takes longer but you'll get a better idea of what's going on under the hood of a car that you know has a dodgy engine.

The TSH test was originally designed and introduced to help diagnose hypothyroidism.

Once on any form of thyroid hormone replacement it is essential to dose and monitor on T3 and T4 blood test results, with the intention being to have both these vital hormones balanced in their ranges, and am an acceptable level to restore the patient 's well being.

This TSH is much too high which signifies you need more thyroid hormone replacement but without a T3 reading we can't say whether you should be adding Levothyroxine T4 or Liothyronine T3.

Yes, there is room to increase T4 but if it is not converting to T3, the active hormone that the body runs on, it's not going to help you.

T3 is said to be about 4 times more powerful than T4 and is known to lower TSH :

Without a full T3 and T4 reading it's just guess work which I know is not what you want to read.

[Roulette26 in reply to pennyannie]

Think I’ve got a flat battery🤪!I can’t see the endo allowing a T3 test, he really doesn’t care. My GP is checking on me so I’ll see if she’ll help. Thanks

[Roulette26 in reply to pennyannie]

I’ve just looked at my Medicheck results from October. T3. 4.24. (3.1-6.8)

[pennyannie in reply to Roulette26]

Do you have a T4 result to go with this please ?

Is it 18 6 - I just looked back ?

[Roulette26 in reply to pennyannie]

Correct. My Medicheck results from just over a month ago were;

TSH 9.13. (0.27-4.20)

T4. 18.6. (12-22)

T3. 4.24. (3.1-6.8)

Ferritin. 300. (13-150)

GP confirmation tests 11th November

Taken AFTER levo at 11.45am

TSH. 4.96. (0.27-4.2)

T4. 24. (12-22)

Ferritin 290. (13-150)

Hospital results 24th November (fasting)

TSH. 6.9. (0.27-4.2)

T4. 18. (12-22)

[pennyannie in reply to Roulette26]

Hey there - think we have crossed paths over Heathrow :

[pennyannie in reply to Roulette26]

So - to find your conversion ratio when on T4 levothyroxine only you simply divide your T3 into your T4 and that comes out at around 1 / 4.40 :

The conversion ratio is said to be 1 / 3.50 - 4.50 T3 / T4 with most people feeling at their best at the lower end of this scale at around 1/4 or lower and the wider out you go the poorer your conversion of T4 into T3.

As already detailed vitamins and minerals need sorting out as these will be compromising effective conversion of T4 and read this is an area that you already have in hand.

I don't know the implication of high ferritin levels as mine are usually at the end of the scale, as are my vitamin D, folate and B12 unless I daily supplement.

[Roulette26 in reply to pennyannie]

Brilliant, yet another string for my bow! Vitamins are more than fine thanks.

[pennyannie in reply to Roulette26]

Glad the analogy registered ;

[jrbarnes in reply to pennyannie]

This is very helpful! I was running at a 1:6.54 ratio. Not good at all.

[Batty1]

I wonder if the RAI didn’t get rid of the thyroid tissue and your still producing hormones and this is the reason for your elevated TSH.

Just a thought!

[Roulette26 in reply to Batty1]

Not too sure about that cos when my thyroid packed up in April it was quite spectacular! I’ll see what effect the new dosage has, if it’s still out of kilter I’ll speak to my GP.