Covid positive, and need help please with latest thyroid blood results.

[DizzyD]

I had to cancel my appointment with private endocrinologist for tomorrow due to positive covid test. Been very ill since Xmas day, but feeling much better now. I have obtained a copy of TFT carried out by my endocrinologist and I would really appreciate some feedback on the results. Sample was drawn 14 December 2020 before I tested covid positive. Had a total thyroidectomy 1992 due to cancer. Present dose of levothyroxine is 75mcg.

TSH 0.766...............0.27 - 4.20

Free T4 18.32............12-22

Free T3 4.4..............3.1 - 6.8

Thyroglobulin 0.2

Antithyroglobulin 20.0

What do these results actually tell you knowledgeable people?

Kind regards to all

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Was this test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Ft4 is 63% through range Ft3 only 35% through range

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

So very poor conversion of Ft4 to Ft3

Low Ft3 likely causing lots of symptoms .....eg high cholesterol

Low vitamin levels linked to low Ft3 too

Essential to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin levels last tested

Low vitamin levels tend to lower TSH and cause poor conversion of Ft4 to Ft3.....becomes a viscous circle

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine

Which brand?

[DizzyD in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you slow dragon for reply. Blood draw done at 1 30pm, last dose thyroxine was previous morning, had no food prior to test only water.I taking all the relevant minerals/vitamins...last checked

they were fine. D102 gene test revealed no genetic link to conversion issue. Get the same brand of levo. I have always have conversion problem even with good vitamin levels. Will be getting vitamin check very soon because I failed to take my vitamin supplements when I got covid. In all honesty I was far too ill to take care of myself on the simplest level.

This conversion issue is a real concern though. Do you think T3 would help? I have two months supply but not sure where I would obtain them when these run out.

Thank you most sincerely SlowDragon

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to DizzyD]

Common after total thyroidectomy to need addition of small doses of T3 prescribed alongside levothyroxine

20% Patients with no thyroid can not regain full health on just Levothyroxine

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

Suggest you give yourself time to recover from Covid and settle back in to vitamin supplements

Retest TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 in say 6-8 weeks

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/

Also vitamin D available as separate test via MMH

Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk

Come back with new post once you get results

Roughly where in the U.K. are you

Email Thyroid UK for list of recommend thyroid specialist endocrinologists...NHS and Private

[e-mail]

[DizzyD in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks again Slow Dragon I will try and follow your advice to the best of my ability. Can't take my supplements just yet because I am unable to eat any food. Food tastes disgusting. Last meal was on Xmas day. It's advised to take supplements with food so waiting for my appetite to improve. Sorry for late reply....keep having covid relapses which wiped me out.Really appreciate your help