Hi to all, I have had hypo for 16 years and nobody has ever mentioned t3 or tested! Can I be medicated for that also, I am on Levo. Also can I split my medication, I feel dreadful or more dreadful at night, heart rate drops to below 40. Thank you and keep strong xx
T3: Hi to all, I have had hypo for 16 years and... - Thyroid UK
T3
Written by
mirielle
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
22 Replies
•
It could be that T3 is useful to you or it could be that you are not adequately medicated on T4 and that your vitamin levels are not right. If you are able to post recent TSH and T4 labs plus vitamin levels, that would help those who know better than me to help you 
Or whatever you have to hand as a starting point.
You could ask the doctor to check T3 as you are clearly still symptomatic. It is a wrangle to get it on the NHS if you are UK based, mind. But not impossible.
SeasideSusieRemembering
Mirielle
Doctor's don't tend to mention T3, many don't know anything about it, and testing T3 is not routine in the UK.
However, despite doctors' ignorance, T3 is the most important hormone. T4 (Levo is T4) is converted into T3 which is required by every cell in our body.
The only way we can know if we convert T4 to T3 well enough is to test TSH, FT4 and FT3 at the same time. If conversion is poor then taking T3 as well as Levo may be beneficial.
Do you have any current test results? If so, maybe post them, along with their reference ranges, and we can comment.
For any thyroid hormone to work properly we need optimal nutrient levels so it's also important to test Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin.
You can split your medication to see if it helps.
Thank you for your reply, here are my latest results :
TSH 0.18mu/l - 0.4 to 5.5
Free T4 18.6 pmol/l - 11 to 26
Free Triio 4.2pmol/l - 3 to 6
Thyroid peroxidase antibody 161iu/ml - <50
Thyroglobulin auto antibodies 312.6iu/ml -<40
Serum thyroglobulin 11.1
Vitamin D 81nmol/l >75 optimal
B12 566ng/l 190 to 910
Ferritin 46 ug/l -10 to 291
Folate 4.2 ng/ml - 3.9 to 26.8
Thank you
So your high thyroid antibodies confirms autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s
Presumably you knew that
Are you on strictly gluten free diet or dairy free diet?
Ft4 is only 50% through range
Ft3 is only 40% through range
Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range
So you are under medicated and poor conversion
Vitamin D and B12 ok. Though vitamin D might be better a little higher
Folate and ferritin too low
Hi,
No I didn't know I had hashimotos, nobody ever tested for it. I actually got these tests by error. The nurse asked me what tests I was due for my thyroid so I reeled off a list and these were in them. 16 years I have been on levo and no one ever tested for hashimoto! Oh and no one has contacted me since these results came back.
Thank you for confirming.
90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s
Medics don’t think it relevant to know as they have no specific treatment for Hashimoto’s
But patients can do much to improve symptoms
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking....if any
To improve low folate
supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.
This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too
Difference between folate and folic acid
chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...
Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
B vitamins best taken after breakfast
Igennus Super B is good quality and cheap vitamin B complex. Contains folate. Full dose is two tablets per day. Many/most people may only need one tablet per day. Certainly only start on one per day (or even half tablet per day for first couple of weeks)
Or Thorne Basic B is another option that contain folate, but is large capsule
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...
endocrinenews.endocrine.org...
I am taking vitamin D supplement, I did take iron for while but felt terrible on it so I stopped.
Low ferritin
Are you vegetarian or vegan?
Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption
List of iron rich foods
Links about iron and ferritin
irondisorders.org/too-littl...
davidg170.sg-host.com/wp-co...
Great in-depth article on low ferritin
oatext.com/iron-deficiency-...
drhedberg.com/ferritin-hypo...
This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.
Thyroid disease is as much about optimising vitamins as thyroid hormones
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
restartmed.com/hypothyroidi...
Post discussing just how long it can take to raise low ferritin
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first
Post discussing why important to do full iron panel test
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Yes! I am vegetarian I have been for 39 years, so I feel iron will be a problem.
So as a vegetarian (and especially with Hashimoto’s) you are going to have to work continuously to maintain GOOD ferritin levels
Thyroid hormones can not work with inadequate vitamin levels
If you supplement with iron, you need to regularly do full iron panel test to check iron is not too high
Post from earlier today
So first step is to get all four vitamins optimal
Make sure to get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription
If not already gluten free ...Trial strictly gluten free diet. But get coeliac blood test done BEFORE you start
You need dose increase in levothyroxine
GP unlikely to agree to dose increase in levothyroxine because of low TSH
Eventually almost certainly prescription for small doses of T3 alongside levothyroxine
Will need to see endocrinologist
Email Thyroid UK for list of recommend thyroid specialist endocrinologists who will prescribe T3........NHS and Private
tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
The aim of levothyroxine is to increase dose upwards until Ft4 is in top third of range and Ft3 at least 60% way through range (regardless of how low TSH is)
Extremely important to have optimal vitamin levels too as this helps reduce symptoms and improve how levothyroxine works
I never know which brand I will get on the 100 tablet but the 25 I wont take teva, I worked out early on it doesn't suit me.
Thank you so much for all this information, I have never learn't so much in such a short time, it actually made me tear up.
You can request/insist on same brand of levothyroxine at each prescription
Many people find Different brands are not interchangeable
SlowDragonAdministrator
Welcome to the forum
First thing is, do you have any recent blood test results?
if not will need to get hold of copies.
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results
UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
Link re access
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet
Far too frequently only TSH is tested
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies
About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease
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)
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 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...
Also vitamin D available as separate test via MMH
Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit
If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s.
Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s.
Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
thyroiduk.org/signs-symptom...
The aim of levothyroxine is to increase dose upwards until Ft4 is in top third of range and Ft3 at least half way through range (regardless of how low TSH is)
EXTREMELY important to have optimal vitamin levels too as this helps reduce symptoms and improve how levothyroxine works
So FIRST step is to see exactly where all your levels are
Please add any results you have.....or come back with new post once you have results
Hi SlowDragon,
Thank you for your reply, here are my latest results :
TSH 0.18mu/l
Free T4 18.6 pmol/l
Free Triio 4.2pmol/l
Thyroid peroxidase antibody 161iu/ml
Thyroglobulin auto antibodies 312.6iu/ml
Serum thyroglobulin 11.1
Vitamin D 80
B12 566ng/l
Ferritin ug/l
Folate 4.2 ng/ml
Thank you
How much levothyroxine have you been prescribed mirielle?
Hi Jazzw,
Hope you are well and thank you for replying I am on 125mg of levothyroxine.
Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking Do you always get same brand
Many people find different brands are not interchangeable
Welcome!
Hmmm! I was on levo for 20 years and my health slowly deteriorated until I could barely function. Medics were clueless as to what was wrong.... I trusted that they knew their stuff. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, IBS and so on it went. I had many many tests and treatments both NHS and private....nothing helped.
In the end a GP suggested a talking therapy....that did it! I knew I had to do something myself. Long story short....I found TUK.
I was 70 and knew I had to stop trusting the NHS re (only) thyroid disease....I was convinced there was an answer and with much research and invaluable support from experienced members I discovered T3 - what it is, what it does, why it does it and I just kept digging! It turned my health around. My thyroid journey is written in my profile.
Firstly you need a full thyroid test - TSH, FT4, FT3, vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin and antibodies. Tested at the same time, ideally first thing in the morning before food or drink except water.
That will reveal the state of your thyroid function and indicate over or under medication.
Very importantly it will reveal your ability to convert T4, the storage thyroid hormone, to T3 the active hormone required by every cell in the body in an adequate and constant supply. High FT4 with low FT3 indicates poor conversion.....the treatment is to add T3 to the levo dose.
Unfortunately medics either don't know much about T3 and/or are reluctant to prescribe it!
Low T3 causes many symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Introducing T3 and titrating the dose combined with levo is usually the way forward.
Some people, myself included, need T3 only ....which is the last resort.
You are legally entitled to request lab results from your surgery but in all probability you will only have had FT4 and TSH tests which do not give the full picture. Consequently many of us have private tests. SlowDragon has already given you excellent info re this
Post any lab results you have now (and later on) including ranges, and members will advise on the best course of action. Also include the dose(s) of levo you are taking and any nutritional supplements you are also taking.
Sorry this is a bit of a rant, hopefully your post is the start of better health!
Maybe you just need more levo and to optimise the required nutrients.....or maybe you do need to add T3. A full thyroid test will point the way forward!
Best...
DD
Hi
Thank you for the detailed response, I have posted the information above. I can relate to the multitude of diagnosis, I am currently at hypothyroidism, fibro, chronic fatigue, IBD and now have a heart consultant! I really hope there is something can be done, I would love a glimmer of my old self back. I am so sorry you have had to go through the same journey it's so difficult and on top of the never ending symptoms is the feeling like and comments which affirm they think 'I am a hypochondriac'.
Warm regards
Totally agree with getting a complete thyroid panel. Taking Levo at night will not help immediately as you need to build consistent blood levels. Taking the medication first thing AM on an empty stomach at least an hour before food or any other medications with lots of water is critical to absorbing it right. I've been hypo for 35 years and did not do it right and many other problems resulted. Having a good thyroid level is critical to good health as it regulates every cell in your body! All the best, even if you have to pay for your own tests. Craig, Chicago USA
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
T3
am waiting to speak to him again as I still feel dreadful and haven't worked for 7 weeks. Could...
T3
will be prescribed it any more.
T3 has made a huge difference for me and I dread going back to how...
T3
Hi all
Could someone please give me information on how and we're to buy t3
My GP stopped it I feel...
T3
I got some :) I dropped 25mg from my thyroxine 150 to 125 at bedtime and had to split the tryotex...
T3
new to the group but have read bits about T3 medication - I'm assuming these are tablets, people are
T3
T3
T3
T3
T3
