I was right: GP 0: Pennyrose 1

[pennyrose]

So many of you helped me rant and gave me the confidence to go back to the GP. Had a blood test on Friday (I did not take my meds before the test) and it has just come back:

T3: 3pmol (range 3.1 - 6.8)

I've attached an image so you can see the docs response to it, this is the man I argued with for an hour on Tuesday of last week.

I am so glad I didn't wait another 6 weeks. I've been feeling worse but he didn't pay attention. I did increase my dose on Saturday before the results because I knew in my bones I was right.

Funny that there is no reference to TSH on these results...

Thanks everyone

Edit: just got TSH results, 3.1 up from .03

[SlowDragon Administrator]

GP is ignorant. You absolutely can not take different dose T3 on different days

You need same dose everyday

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine and T3 at each prescription

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase in levothyroxine or T3

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 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

Do you have Hashimoto’s

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)

When on T3, the day before test, split dose into three smaller doses roughly equal 8 hour intervals. Taking last dose T3 at roughly 8-12 hours before test

[pennyrose in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much! I am a T3 only patient, so no levothyroxine. It didn't work well with me

The brand seems to be the same every time I get my repeat medication, but will keep an eye out.

I'm only on Iron and highstrength Vit D, but also have b12 injections.

Not sure why there is no mention of TSH? They usually don't even look at my T4 now.

I do have hashi's

My blood test was at 10:30. Thanks so much

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

pennyrose

I had to laugh at your title, but doesn't it feel good to be vindicated!

Interesting to see on your picture

"T3 will be variable depending on timing of blood sample following a dose"

which is something we are passionate about getting across here. If I may I'll bookmark this post and maybe refer to it in future to illustrate this point.

"So 60mg alternate days, 70mg the other days"

Wouldn't you think that medical professionals would know exactly the dose of the tablets. 60 mg would send you into orbit at the very least, the dose of T3 tablets is in mcg, there are 1,000mcg in a mg (yes, I'm pedantic but a doctor really should know these things!)

And we shouldn't alternate dose of T3, it should be the same every day. If they're 20mcg tablets I'd quarter them and take 3 and 1/4 tablets a day.

[pennyrose in reply to SeasideSusie]

It feels amazing! Although also frustrating as hell to know that I should have stuck to my guns in the first place.

This GP couldn't even say liothyronine so I'm not surprised about the dose!

Thank you so much

[tattybogle]

He said I was overtreated and he didn’t want to do more harm than goodHe then started asking why I was even on it?

He couldn’t say liothyronine.

well.. hopefully your fT3 result has answered his first two points

Wonder if he can pronounce 'liothyronnine' now .

Wipe that smug grin off your face at once .. or it will stick that way. Mind you that's probably OK , hopefully you'll get to use it again soon.