Latest blood test results

[Wired123]

Some of you may have seen my previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

I now have another set of results which were done privately.

Any thoughts welcome as I see my Endo tomorrow.

Strange how different the NHS v Private T4 result is although reassuringly the TSH is identical.

The TSH is the same as December although as expected the T4 level is lower with the change in dosing.

I would suspect the doctor would look to lower my Levo based on the TSH result, but I don’t feel lower T4 is really warranted.

I suspect that my T3 is too much for my body to handle which is suppressing the TSH.

I started T3 in November. The first week at 5mcg once a day in the morning. By week two I felt amazing and on a high, my muscles felt looser than they have for over 15 years. Even my physio commented how much less stiff my muscles were and he could stretch my arms and legs way more than before. By week three my muscles had stiffened up again - objectively confirmed by the physio.

So I’m wondering whether to try to find that sweet spot I need to reduce T3 and up my T4. We should only do one thing at a time so I’m of the opinion it’s the T3 we should tinker with now?

[Smorzando]

Hi Dk123,Hmm, those differing T4 results are very odd aren't they - were they both done 24 hours after your last dose?

Your TSH hasn't really changed since starting T3, by the looks of it, so it might not be very 'responsive'.

How are you feeling? On which dose did you feel best?

[Wired123 in reply to Smorzando]

TSH has come down quite a bit since starting T3.

It’s stayed flat since starting T3.

Question is do I stick at this dose of T4 and trial lower T3 for some weeks and see how I feel?

[Smorzando in reply to Wired123]

I'm just more confused by the very different T4 results, than anything, to be honest!One thing that comes to mind is it could be tricky to only slightly lower your T3 dose. Would you intend to come down to 7.5mcg by halving one of your doses, assuming you've got 5mcg pills?

[Wired123 in reply to Smorzando]

Well when I first started T3 the first week on T3 was a bit hairy, but the second week really was a dream. So I suspect my idea dose is somewhere between 5 and 7.5. Perhaps I will drop it to 7.5mcg and see. The try to drop down further.

Question then is do I take it all in one go or spread out the dose. Endo feels spacing out the dose is best, but I know a lot of people here just take it once a day. Then there are some who take it 3 times spaced out evenly.

The two very different T4 results is indeed puzzling. I’ll see what he says and report back.

[Smorzando in reply to Wired123]

My endo also wanted me to space out the dose, but I've tried that, and tried taking it all in one go, and I prefer taking it in one go. I don't think it really takes all that long to figure out if there are any positive or adverse effects from doing it like that, so you can experiment quite easily.

[Bearo in reply to Wired123]

I’ve had completely different results for FT4 from two different labs using the same blood draw and the same ranges. I think it goes to show that while TSH testing is very reliable, FT4 testing produces rather variable results.

[Wired123 in reply to Bearo]

very interesting... then you get into the debate about who to believe!

[Bearo in reply to Wired123]

I don’t think it’s as easy as one is right and one is wrong. It’s just not the exact science we like to think it is.

[Wired123]

So by way of update for those who are interested, my Endo is very happy with my results and does not propose any change in dosage.

He’s suggested a review in 3 months.

I guess it’s now at the point he feels he’s done his job and won’t be looking to do anymore for me, so time to try experimenting on my own to seek optimal.