Medicheck Results

[bluehaven201]

Please can anyone advise on my results from Medichecks.

I am currently taking NDT as Levothyroxine was making me really poorly.

Should I worry about the TSH?

[shaws Administrator]

Did you allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of thyroid hormones and the test? and have blood draw as early as possible next a.m. (fasting - you can drink water)?

[bluehaven201 in reply to shaws]

Yes, I took my meds after the blood was taken. Took the test as soon as I woke up

[shaws Administrator in reply to bluehaven201]

Bllood tests for thyroid hormones were introduced along with levothyroxine (T4 only) so when we take other thyroid hormones (NDT or T3/T4) the results will be 'different'.

NDT is the original replacement and no blood tests and our dose was slowly increased until we were symptom free.

[bluehaven201 in reply to shaws]

Oh, so no point in worrying about the actual results then?

[shaws Administrator in reply to bluehaven201]

The best way to judge is by how 'we feel' and if still unwell small increases should be added. if you feel you're on too much reduce dose slightly.

The following is by an Adviser to Thyroiduk who was also a Scientist/Researcher and expert in the use of T3. He'd never prescribe levo but only NDT or T3.

drlowe.com/thyroidscience/l...

p.s. Dr Lowe died due to an accident and he is badly missed.

I shall add in SeasideSusie and she may be able to respond better than myself.

[bluehaven201 in reply to shaws]

Thank you so much.

[bluehaven201 in reply to shaws]

I did slowly convert from levothyroxine to NDT and I am feeling so much better in myself now I’m completely off the levothyroxine. The only concern is I have put on some weight - which I’m sure I can sort after christmas

[shaws Administrator in reply to bluehaven201]

I am not medically qualified but you might find your weight will slowly reduce as there's also T3 in NDT and it is the Active Thyroid Hormone needed in the millions of T3 receptor cells,

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

bluehaven201

When taking NDT (or T3) it tends to lower, even suppress, TSH and often FT4 is also low in range, it's the FT3 that is the most important results, what a shame that's the one test they weren't able to do.

When taking NDT it's advised to take last dose 8-12 hours before the test to avoid getting a false low FT3.

Ferritin is good.

Folate OK.

Active B12 obviously too high for the machine to give an actual result, presumably you are taking B12 supplement or injections?

Vit D not bad but the Vit D Society and Grassroots Health recommend a level of 100-150nmol/L which is probably even more important with the Covid situation.

Do you take a B Complex?

[bluehaven201 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you. No I stopped all vitamins and supplements 3 months ago when I started TG so i wasn’t taking anything but TG and could see what I actually need to supplement with this blood test

[pennyannie in reply to bluehaven201]

Hello Bluehaven

I am so pleased this product has worked for you :

Just a pity we couldn't actually read the T3 result which is the active thyroid hormone which gives you back " you ' :

Too little T3 and symptoms of hypothyroidism creep back in and too much T3 can see you with symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

I too started self medicating, some 2 years ago, but with NDT, where there is a measure of T3 and T4 in each grain, but the principle is the same, low and slow and just go by your symptoms, temperature and blood pressure, as the blood tests, ranges and guidelines were all introduced to be used alongside Levothyroxine , Big Pharma's answer to treating hypothyroidism.

I do find I need to keep my vitamins and minerals optimal so to be able to convert optimally the T4 content of the hormone replacement into T3.

[bluehaven201 in reply to pennyannie]

Yes, sadly I have struggled to get enough blood twice. My blood must be really thick! I’m going to book another blood test in a few months, but arrange for a nurse to take it for me.

[pennyannie in reply to bluehaven201]

Yes, I do the same as, for me, it is just a yearly blood test - more for my ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D levels than anything else and my Christmas present to myself !!!

I found my TSH suppressed at 0.01 : my T4 at around 20% through and my T3 at around 110% through - but then again these ranges and guidelines were introduced and designed to be used alongside Levothyroxine - Big Pharma's treatment option for hypothyroidism.

In fact it's as though my T3 and T4 levels have totally swopped over since taking NDT.

I'm not complaining - I'm feeling so much better : obviously timing of blood draw to last dose and fasting / no fasting blood tests all play a part and I read if you want " acceptable levels " of T3 and T4 and not to shock a NHS doctor some people leave at least 24 hour + gap between last dose and blood draw.

[bluehaven201 in reply to pennyannie]

Please can I ask what NDT you are on?

[pennyannie in reply to bluehaven201]

I am taking Thyroid S which is from Thailand - BUT - currently there is little if any stock availability - but hopefully by Spring 2021 we should see a different picture.

There was some stock availability in the USA of some other brands, last time I looked, but at a price that may not be as competitive as the Far East - we have to wait and see.

I read many people have switched to alternative thyroid supplements since supplies of NDT have drastically reduced over these past 6 months - it's a bit disconcerting - considering NDT is meant to available on the NHS on a named patient only basis.

[Lora7again]

When I took NDT which was Thyroid S I went by how I felt and I never had a blood test because I knew my T4 would be lowish and my TSH suppressed. How many grains are you taking and how are you feeling at the moment?

[bluehaven201 in reply to Lora7again]

That’s interesting. Thank you. I take two 150mg of TG. I guess I’m doing okay then as I feel better than I have for many years.

[Lora7again in reply to bluehaven201]

I would carry on as you are if you are feeling well. You might need to have a further blood test just to make sure your T3 isn't too over range because that might make you feel jittery. When I took Thyroid S I never really felt jittery but if you do you could always reduce your dose slightly.

[bluehaven201 in reply to Lora7again]

I think you are right. I’m certainly not jittery at all