Blood test results

[Suzanneharb]

Hi all,

I decided to check my thyroid function as it's been a while (and my GP surgery won't do blood tests right now). I take 200mcg Levo and 20mg Liothyronine (always the same brand). I have been on this dose for years!

My results have been the same for the past year, but this time medichecks suggested I'm overmedicated and should see a GP (which I can't do right now).

Free T4: 23.1 (12-22)

Free T3: 6.19 (3.1-6.8)

I feel fine, so shall I assume that no action is needed? I know my FT4 is a little high, but I think that's my 'normal'.

Thanks in advance.

(P.s - for those who remember me asking about sertraline, I decided not to take it right now as the pharmacist confirmed it could affect my thyroid function. Since I can't access a GP to monitor this, I felt it wasn't worth the risk. The sertraline wasn't prescribed for depression, but for my eating disorder.)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Presumably you did test early morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test. Last 1/3 of daily T3 dose roughly 8-12 hours before test

Results look fine

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

Did you test these?

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[Suzanneharb in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the reply!

I did the test early. But my last dose of T4 AND T3 were 24 hours previous to the test. Why the 8-12 hour for T3? That wouldn't be possible as I always take my T3 with my T4 first thing in the morning. So a test would always be 24 hours after my T3.

Haven't tested my vits for a while. Where is cheapest to do so?

I take D3 and B12 (sprays), Iron (at night) and a B complex. I also take melatonin for sleep issues.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Suzanneharb]

If you leave 24 hours between last dose T3 and test, then result is falsely low Ft3 result

Even if you normally don’t split dose on day before test should split

10mcg at 7am, 5mcg at 3pm and 5mcg at 11pm

Splitting dose can give better results, but doesn’t suit everyone

[Suzanneharb in reply to SlowDragon]

So I could be overmedicated then? As my Ft3 is right near the top of the range with a 24 hour gap (and my Ft4 is over)

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Suzanneharb]

But if vitamins are low these need improving before considering reducing levothyroxine/T3

[Suzanneharb]

No, I never took it in the first place. I was offered it, thought about it, then decided not to take it (too scared!).

[Bearo]

Why can’t you speak to GP via phone consultation or get a blood test? I had these problems during first lock-down but consultations and blood tests are back to normal now......if you can call consultations by phone, normal.

[Suzanneharb in reply to Bearo]

So much I'd like to say, but not sure how visible my comments would be on google? Short story - my surgery refused any blood tests for me.

[Bearo]

Good job you’re feeling fine!