Blood Test: I Don't Know What To Believe

[Poppyfaery]

Hi everyone, I posted my blood test results on here back in August when I first found this forum. Since then, thanks to a lot of friendly advice, I've begun taking T3. After over 4 years of depression and constant exhaustion I noticed a major improvement within a week. I recently got an appointment with an NHS Endocrinologist. Despite making my case he flatly refused to prescribe T3 for me although he did grant me a blood test. I've uploaded the results below hoping someone will be kind enough to explain them to me. Back in August my TSH was 0.75, my Free T3 3.75 and my Free T4 24.5. I'd like to know if I'm going in the right direction. I'm currently taking 50mcg of T3 daily as well as 100mcg of Levothyroxine every 48 hours and occasionally zinc supplements. All suggestions gratefully recieved. Thanks in advance.

[fibrolinda]

You can only add one photo to posts I'm afraid. Can you type your results out

[Poppyfaery in reply to fibrolinda]

I have they're at the bottom in small letters tsh ft3 and ft4 that's all they gave me.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I'm currently taking 50mcg of T3 daily as well as 100mcg of Levothyroxine every 48 hours

Do you mean every 24 hours

Typical dose of T3 alongside levothyroxine is 10mcg, 15mcg or 20mcg (often divided as 2 or 3 smaller doses through the day)

so 50mcg is a large dose if taking daily

Thyroid hormones must be taken everyday (not every 48 hours)

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Also EXTREMELY important to regularly test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Previous posts show no thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

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)

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 antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

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 down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

Previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Shows low vitamin D, low B12 and borderline folate..no ferritin result

Presumably you have been working on improving low vitamin levels

Previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

discussing bi-polar and link to Hashimoto’s and gluten intolerance

Do you have a psychiatrist? They can prescribe T3

Also ...Have you had coeliac blood test and have you tried strictly gluten free diet

[tattybogle]

That letter seems to be incorrect. NHS Endocrinologists are allowed to prescribe T3 for a trial period, but NHS Gp's are not allowed to initiate treatment with it, but can continue a prescription from an endocrinologist who is satisfied that it's necessary for that patient.Obviously endo's are under great pressure not to , but that's not the same as 'not allowed to'

and an NHS endocrinologist should know NHS GP's are not allowed to initiate T3 prescribing.

Seems like they are deliberately sending you round in circles here.

[Poppyfaery in reply to tattybogle]

Many thanks for your help

[Miffie]

Did you work on getting vitamin levels optimal before adding T3 as you were previously advised on the forum? There did not seem to have been enough time especially as you are now taking a huge daily dose of T3. I do hope that you are not overdoing it. I have had no thyroid function at all since my thyroid was destroyed by radiation in the early 1950s. I take NDT and a little T3. I must admit I would be unwell with such a low FT4. Fortunately my GP knows and understands what I do. This means regular monitoring and being able to discuss openly what I am taking and how that may impact other meds. This gets more important as as age. I too am 69.

I think you need to try and get someone on board with your treatment, even if only to monitor you. Extra important if you think you are well with the very unusual dosing regime and such low TSH and T4. Did you follow the guidelines for the time lapse between meds and blood tests?

Please take care.

[Poppyfaery in reply to Miffie]

Bless thank you

[Poppyfaery in reply to Miffie]

I've spoken with the doc told him I'm reducing t3 increaseing t4 as I was taking 1 100mg every other day, stopped everything else, had a life changing situation that has left me badly damaged and I can't think straight, thanks for your help, I'll let you know if I ever crack it

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Would you clarify how you got from where you were to here?

Did you go straight onto 50 micrograms of T3?

How long between your doses and your blood draw for the test results shown?

Are you taking any other medicines or supplements?

If you fill out the background, I think people might be able to see something. But without that background it feels a bit pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, I'm sorry to say.

Hidden

[Poppyfaery in reply to helvella]

No I took from August till Nov concerning t3 the other drugs I took lithium omeprozol staton s vit d I stopped the lithium I did it gradually, I've had a life changing situation recently that's left me permanently damaged, I cant think straight at the mo, thanks for yor time and bothering I can't think straight

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Any advice or support given should be given in open forum so that it is subject to scrutiny.

Very much agreed.

[Poppyfaery]

I was thankfull for your help obviously you think you've wasted your time reminding me how much time to no avail you've wasted, the concoction I'm taking as you say has been effected by a life changing circumstance which caused stress beyond belief, i have a e mail address for t3 £20 and £6 Post each order, ill send it later as I'm at the hospital but I'll not bother you with any details be well