Medicheck have suggested that I see my GP as TSH is low.
TSH X 0.04 mIU/L (Range: 0.27 - 4.2)
Free T3 4.7 pmol/L (Range: 3.1 - 6.8)
Free Thyroxine 18.2 pmol/l (Range: 12 - 22)
I have no overactive symptoms and had the test as I am rapidly gaining weight. My body is not my own fatty lumps under my skin everywhere. I have low energy , feel tired achey my psoriasis, has returned low body temp ranging from 34- 35.9. I could go on & on.
Originally on 100 levo - two years ago started taking quarter of Tiromel 6.25 with 75 levo. My GP asked me to take 75 levo only for blood test. After only two weeks, I felt very ill so took 100 levo for the next 6weeks and had bloods. Results mirror these results T4& T3 normal.
Am I to drop to 75 levo only and feel like the walking dead. I am thinking of asking Dr to refer me to an endocrinologist as I know something is not right.
Written by
Millmi
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
The doctor comments from these private labs aren't worth having. Ignore them. They do the same as most GPs - look at the TSH only and decide whether you are overmedicated from that, but they ignore the actual thyroid hormone levels, the FT4 and FT3. Don't bother with their comments in future, just request no doctor comments then put your results on here for members to give you a proper interpretation.
TSH is not a thyroid hormone, it's a pituitary hormone. TSH is useful for diagnosis but once on thyroid hormone replacement it has little use, it's the FT4 and FT3 - the actual thyroid hormones - that tell us what we need to know. It doesn't matter if TSH is low.
Your FT4 is 62% through it's range.
Your FT3 is only 43.24% through range.
What were you taking when you did this test?
When did you take last doses before test? Last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before test, last dose of T3 should be 8-12 hours before test and dose should be split into 2 or 3 and timing rearranged if necessary.
I cannot thank you enough for your positive response SeasideSusie. I was taking my 75levo /6.25 T3. I did take as advised on here, but T3 may have been a few hours out.
I don't know how you work out the percentage but in your opinion would you say my levels are out of kilter?
I am relieved to know its okay to continue to take ratio I am on. I still believe my motabilsim is not working at all and wondered if adding a small amount of T3 would kick start it.
Result in first box, low end of range in second box, upper end of range in third box, click on OBLICZ to calculate.
I was taking my 75levo /6.25 T3. I did take as advised on here, but T3 may have been a few hours out.
OK, so if by a few hours out you mean that you took your T3 longer than 8-12 hours before the test then your result is showing a false low. We can't calculate accurately how different this would be from your normal circulating level but at 43.24% through range, even allowing for it to be higher, there is room to improve this.
I still believe my motabilsim is not working at all and wondered if adding a small amount of T3 would kick start it.
Yes, I think that you are thinking along the right lines here.
When on Levo and T3 one would expect to see TSH low or suppressed, we'd also expect to see FT4 lower in range than FT3. Exactly where we need each of these hormone levels is very individual so tweaking meds to get the right combination to find our sweet spot is necessary.
As your FT4 is already 62% through it's range you don't really need any more T4 so I wouldn't consider raising your dose of Levo.
You may benefit from more T3. You are on a very low dose at 6.25mcg and it's probably almost impossible to split your tablet to give a lower dose than this, so it's worth adding another 6.25 (total 12.5mcg) and see where that takes your FT3 level. I would take the 2nd dose of 6.25mcg in the afternoon (first dose with Levo in the morning). I treat T3 the same as Levo as far as timing of dose where food, coffee, medication, supplements, etc are concerned.
I would wait 6-8 weeks for levels to settle then retest, following proper timing for last doses of both Levo and T3. Take last dose of Levo 24 hours before test with 1st dose of T3. Adjust timing of 2nd dose of T3, move to the evening/bedtime so it's 8-12 hours before a test the following morning.
Post results on the forum (tag me if you wish) for interpretation of your new levels.
Just a thought, as you are taking 75mcg Levo, how is this made up - which brand(s) of Levo?
Much appreciated SeasideSusie. I take 3X 25 wockhardt brand. I take this at 6am every morning. I usually take T3 at lunch time 12 everyday. Now I know T4 is in the right place I will taking in the morning with another quarter later in the day.
I will retest and let you know the new improved results as I am 100% sure this will make the much needed difference.
If you are happy on Wockhardt brand, don't let that change. Certainly not to Teva brand or Northstar 25mcg (which is made by Teva) as this brand causes lots of problems for some members. Best not rock the boat.
Funny you should say that, the chemist tried to give me Teva, last week but I said No. I had read on here that others have many fillers, so asked Dr to put on my script wockhardt as the named brand. So they had to order that brand. They were not best pleased.
Do you know if cause of your hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies?
If not had thyroid antibodies tested, suggest you get them tested along with full thyroid and vitamins 6-8 weeks after increase in T3
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.
Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)
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)
Day before test take last 1/4 of T3 tablet roughly 8-12 hours before test
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue with Hashimoto’s
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
So cross with GP! But so confused with blood results and how I feel.
New to all of this and so confused 
So confused - Help needed with blood results please :) 
Totally lost having had my blood test results
Cortisol and ACTH low? I'm so confused now.
