Blood results

[Supernovae]

Hello all

I would be very grateful for some advice re my blood results. I’ve been taking T 3 for about 6 weeks now, I started on 5mcg, then increased to 10mcg and am now on 15mcg.

I was taking 125mcg levothyroxine but reduced it to 100mcg when I started the T3.

I’ve an endocrinology appt next Friday, I think I should reduce the T3 rather than take the same dose for another week.

Please could someone advise me, thank you very much.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Supernovae

When did you take your last dose of Levo and T3 before the test?

Last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before test.

T3 should be split into 2 or 3 doses the day before and last dose 8-12 hours before the test.

Any closer to the blood draw and you get a false high result.

If you followed the correct timing then you could reduce either (but not both). When on combination hormone replacement we get a very low, even suppressed, TSH, and FT4 can be wherever we need it to be, and FT3 is usually in the upper part of it's range. Some people are fine with a low FT4, others need it higher in range. I need mine fairly well balanced with FT3 around 60-70% through range (I take Levo plus T3). If you reduce your Levo it will probably reduce your FT4 and FT3 as well depending on how much natural conversion you have. If you reduce T3 it will probably only reduce FT3 result. Lots of experimenting and gradual tweaking (individually) of Levo and T3 is often necessary to find our sweet spot.

[Supernovae in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you Seaside Susie, I must confess that I took my T3 and levo at 6am as I had forgotten about my blood test, which was at 10.45, I went ahead anyway as I had an appointment and I didn’t know if the lab would actually check my T3. I ‘be ordered a medichecks blood test that I’ll do fasting on Monday and hopefully it’ll be back before I see the endocrinologist on Friday.

Thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Supernovae]

Supernovae

OK, so your T3 could be over range due to the fact that you took your thyroid meds before the test. If you want to post your Medichecks results when you have them we can comment on them before your appointment if you like.

[Supernovae in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you, will do 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Had you been on 3 x 5mcg dose for 6-8 weeks before testing

Do you wear a Fitbit or Apple Watch or equivalent

What’s your resting heart rate

Do you have any symptoms of over medication

Are vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 optimal

[Supernovae in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you Slow Dragon, you’ll see from my reply above that I’d taken my thyroid medication and will redo the test on Monday.

It’s a bit less than 6 weeks, I think, that I’ve been taking 15mcg T3.

I have got symptoms of over medication, fast pulse and occasional palpitations. Also my hair that looks like it needs washing by about 5pm, which is something that has happened in the past when I’ve had a ‘wobble/ flare’!

I was feeling a lot better when I was taking the 10mcg but I only stayed on that dose for about 10 days. So maybe that wasn’t long enough.

My B12 and folate are fine, my ferritin and vit D are in range but not optimal but I’m trying to improve those currently.

I’m not going to take my afternoon dose of T3 for now and will recheck it in another 6 weeks.

Thanks again.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I’d wait for the private test and then post these results on the forum. If you feel well your dosage may be fine. My TSH is 0.01 and my endo is fine with it as T3 not over range. I find small tweaks useful- eg I’m currently taking 112.5mg Levo ( 100 plus 5mcg T3 Morning & 12.5 plus another5mg T3 at night). I felt some palpitations and tremor on 125mg Levo with 10 T3 & am better for ‘slight’ adjustment. Best wishes to you.

[Supernovae in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you Buddy 195, I’ll do the medichecks test on Monday and put them up.

[Doolittle16]

I am really sorry I cant help you with your query as in the last 34 years since I have been on thyroxine I have only seen 1 endocrinology for about 5 minutes, gaining nothing. Other than that I book up myself with the nurse for a needed blood test. I am on 100mg every alternative day and 125mg on the in between days. I dont know why I have a Doctor. Sorry, I hope someone can help you on this site as it is a Godsend for all of us.

[Supernovae in reply to Doolittle16]

Thank you for your reply Doolittle16. I have been singularly unimpressed with the GP’s at my surgery too. The endocrinologist I’ve seen is private as I’m pretty certain my GP couldn’t have referred me to an NHS one!

I’ve cut my T3 down to 10mcg but will do a medichecks test on Monday and hope the result is back before my appointment on Friday.

[JOLLYDOLLY]

I agree with Seasside Susie, Supernovae! Taking medication before a blood test can make quite a big impact on a reading.

Your T3 does seem to be in the higher part of the range. T4 seems to be about right. Why did you feel the need to increase the T3 was that your choice or medical advice?

I am on 200 mcg of T4 and 10 mcg of T3 (was originally on 20mcg), which works well for me. My range for T4 is slightly higher than yours (12-22) but can't remember the exact range for T3, but if I remember correctly, I am mid range.

I found that when I was on 20mcg of T3 it was a little too much, but the decision to reduce it was made by a Endocrinologist who was trying to get me off it completely, due to the price, rather than my well being (ha ha) but did not succeed thankfully.

If you can get some new blood tests, take your medication afterwards, you will hopefully get a more accurate reading.

[Supernovae in reply to JOLLYDOLLY]

Thank you Jollydolly.I’d only just been started on T3 by the endocrinologist and the advice on the forum was to start with 5mcg and work up to the 15mcg he’d prescribed.

I’m so glad I did this as I know I felt better on the lower dose, which I wouldn’t have known if I’d started on 15mcg.

Seems a case of trial and error reading how everyone else manages.

This forum is so helpful.

I’ll do my bloods in the morning and post the results hopefully before my appointment.

Thanks again

[JOLLYDOLLY]

Always welcome and good luck

[Supernovae]

Thanks 😊