I had a TT in Sept 21. Follicular and no subsequent RAI. I’ve been monitoring my bloods and Vit levels and these are my latest results. My ferritin and cortisol remains high and I don’t know why? Also my T3 concerns me. It has remained at this level even when I was on higher dose but T4 was 22
I am on 150/125 of Levo for past 2 weeks
Should I try T3?
I feel ok but not great. Can’t sleep, yet tired. No energy. Not sure if it’s just age and menopause!!!! Any advice?
IvyBoo
I am on 150/125 of Levo for past 2 weeks
Do you mean you changed your dose of Levo two weeks ago and have tested a couple of days ago? If so then your results aren't helpful at the moment. You need to wait 6-8 weeks after a dose change for levels to stabilise.
It might be worth discussing your high cortisol level with your GP, it's way over range even for an early morning test. Hidden may pop along and comment about that.
What supplements are you taking?
My dose was decreased by consultant from 150 daily to 150/125 about 2 weeks ago. I’d already ordered the blood tests at that point, so I did them as Dr only did tsh and T4.
I do supplement with Vit D, B12 ( 6 and biotin) and Magnesium, plus a probiotic, zinc and selenium
I’d already ordered the blood tests at that point, so I did them as Dr only did tsh and T4.
Just because you ordered the test you don't have to use it straight away. You have one year from date of purchase to use your test. Unfortunately you have wasted your money here because it's not giving accurate results on either your new dose or your old one if you were hoping to find out if you would benefit from adding T3.
Thanks but I was also checking vitamin levels and whether my ferritin was still high
OK but your question was whether you should try T3 and that question can't be answered from your thyroid results in that test.
Ivyboo
Your cortisol result of 715nmol/Ls is very high,has your GP made any comment on it at all? You certainly need further investigation as you may have Cushing's syndrome where the body is producing too much cortisol. You mention that you are struggling to sleep, this is a typical symptoms of Cushing's. What other symptoms do you have? Weight gain around your tummy; round flushed face; elevated BP; easy bruising/thin skin? With those results you need to be referred to an Endocrinologist. I will private message you ones I know how are in your area, sadly not all Endos' are conversant with pituitary/adrenal issues. Are you on steroids for another condition, the oestrogen contraceptive pill; HRT & Biotin found in some supplements can all give an elevated cortisol result.
Thank you for this. Will discuss with GP x I am not on HRT but I have been taking Biotin for about 4 weeks to help my hair!!!! I’m not on the pill or steroids but do use hydrocortisone for my hands as I get Eczema x
The HC cream is unlikely to cause the high cortisol levels you have. Cushing's syndrome is a rare condition so very few GP's see it in their working life so don't know a lot about it. It's worth stopping the Biotin for any testing. Hair issues are another symptom of Cushing's, you can lose head hair but have excess facial hair. Your GP should do an early morning blood cortisol & a 24 hour urine test in the first instance. If these come back high then he should refer you to an Endocrinologist who is conversant with pituitary/adrenal issues. Hopefully you've seen the message I sent you. Happy to help in any way I can, but I hope it isn't Cushing's.
I have been taking Biotin for about 4 weeks to help my hair!!
Remember to stop biotin for 7 days before any blood test as it gives false results when biotin is used in the testing procedure, which most labs do.
It could be, and probably is, that you are taking the WRONG medicine. You are fortunate in not having RAI as I believe the symptoms you are experiencing would then be worse.Your doctor may be able to arrange for you to be prescribed T3 (liothyronine) now that the price is being reduced. Otherwise NDT is the only way to go.
Concentrating on blood tests when you have no thyroid is, in my opinion a waste of time as the alternative medication will possibly correct any low/high readings automatically. Others may disagree with this but, without a thyroid gland, I tried everything I could think of to get well on levo alone but failed 100%.
Hello Ivyboo :
Since you only increased your medication recently it's a liitle too soon for these results to be reflective of your increased dose of T4 - levothyroxine.
The accepted conversion ratio when taking T4 only is said to to be 1 / 3.50 - 4.50 T3/T4 wit most people feeling at their best when they come in at 4 or under.
So, to find how well your conversion is you simply divide your T3 into your T4 and I'm getting that coming in at 4.35 : so a little wide and out from centre.
Conversion of the T4 into T3 can be compromised by low vitamins and minerals:
Your ferritin looks high and suggest you ask your doctor about this, it can be caused by inflammation though your CRP isn't raised.
Your B12, folate and magnesium are high - are you supplementing here ?
Your vitamin D seems ok to me :
I aim for ferritin of around 100, folate around 20, active B12 70 + or serum B12 500 + and vitamin D around 100 :
Your T4 is coming in at around 68 % and we generally feel better when T4 is up in the top nearing or in the top quadrant of the range as this in theory should give you a slightly higher, level of T3 which is currently coming in at around 33% ;
You have said though that your T3 didn't respond to the T4 dose increase :
A fully functioning working thyroid would be supporting you on a daily basis with a measured dose of both T3 and T4 said to be at around 10 mcg T3 and 100 mcg T4 :
So, logically, replacing both thyroid hormones that you have " lost " is worth consideration in due course and you might like to also consider the third option of Natual Desiccated Thyroid which was succesfully used for over 100 years to treat hypothyroidism and contains all the sme known hormones as that of the human gland namely T1. T2. and calcitonin plus a measure of T3 and a measure of T4 and is made from pig thyroid dried and ground down into tablets referred to as grains.
20 odd years ago all these thyroid hormone replacement options were readily available on the NHS, and are still meant to be available.
I was diagnosed Graves in 2003/4 and had RAI thyroid ablation the following year and became really unwell around 10 years later and found myself on here looking for answers.
I was refused both NDT and T3 by my surgery and NHS hospital i 2018 and now self medicate and have settled on NDT and a much improved.
Advice please
Advice starting T3 please 
Advice please
Advice please
