Puzzling Results After Increasing T3 Meds

[Fluffysheep]

Hi there. I've just had some blood test results back (haven't had one at the Drs for a while as I was avoiding them, but they made me after my last repeat prescription of thyroxine!) and I'm a little bit puzzled. Background info for anyone who doesn't want to look at previous posts - I have Hashimoto's and am hypothyroid. I have been fully gluten free for a year now. Stopped taking all meds with biotain in 2 weeks before blood tests. Was 24 hours since last levo, and 10 hours since last T3 meds, no food or drink other than water. I didn't have the usual vitamins etc checked, but they were checked back in Jan and were good (for me!).

I currently take 125mcg levothyroxine and 31.25mcg T3 (split into 2 doses morning and evening)

Results:

TSH: <0.01 (range of 0.27 - 4.2)

T4: 12 (range of 11.4 - 21.4

T3: 5.7 (range of 3.1 - 6.8)

The reason I'm puzzled is that both my T4 and T3 results have gone down since my last blood test in January, however following my test results in Jan I actually increased my T3 meds from 25mcg to 31.25mcg.

In January my TSH was <0.005, T4 was 20.7 and T3 was 5.98 (all the same ranges as above).

I'm seeing an endo on Thursday (after being referred last March!) and was hoping to suggest that they prescribe me T3, as I definitely feel better than I did on T4 alone. However, I'm really surprised that my T4 has gone down so dramatically when I've kept my level of thyroxine the same, and my T3 has also gone down despite adding more. If anyone could explain what that actually means that would be great!

[Lalatoot]

You can have too much of a good thing! Sometimes we need to stop and wait to see if symptoms go over a longer period rather than keeping changing doses. I would go back to your previous regime.

[Fluffysheep in reply to Lalatoot]

Thank you for replying. I've been on this dose since January, so 3 full months. Prior to that I'd been on my previous dose since September, so 4 full months. I upped the T3 following my blood test in January because although I felt better than on just T4, I still didn't feel great. I'm in a similar position now, very slight improvement but not as much as I'd hoped.

[Lovecake]

Hi. Do you feel ok? I think I’ve read that sometimes when taking T3 your FT4 can lower. Now, I don’t know how it works, but maybe your thyroid is making a bit less T4 at the moment because of the extra T3 you are taking.If you feel pretty good, then why change your dose at present?

If you are seeing an endo on Thursday, then see what they have to say. They might even do another set of bloods, so be aware of this and maybe don’t take your meds before you go (Eg if it’s late afternoon maybe take some T3 very early morning but then not until after the appointment).

[Fluffysheep in reply to Lovecake]

Thank you. I feel better than I did, but I wouldn't say I feel great in the grand scheme of things if that makes sense?

No way will I be doing any blood tests on Thursday, I'm going to print out a spreadsheet I think with them all on in case they're not able to access them. My appointment is 2.30pm, so not a good time for blood!

I don't really hold out much hope of it being a positive experience with the endo, I did request one that featured on the thyroid UK list but although I've been referred to that hospital, it lists someone else. Knowing how much they hate T3 medication and a low TSH I'm fully prepared for it to be a waste of time (although would be wonderful if not).

I just want to feel properly well again, feels like so long ago since I did.

[Lovecake in reply to Fluffysheep]

I feel for you. It’s so frustrating. I had to go private to get my T3 with an endo.I’ve spent the last 6 months gradually upping my Levo as is hit bottom of range and I felt dreadful. I always adjust in small amounts as I seem very sensitive to it. Plus too much makes me feel rough even if I’m not over range.

So you see what they say, then you can make an informed decision.

A spreadsheet is a good idea too. Have you tried the one where you can see how far through the range each result is? It was on here in the last 2 weeks. Absolutely amazing. It prompted me to up my meds a bit more and I needed it.

Let us know how you get on ☺️