Test results and worried GP!

[wisewoman108]

Good morning, I would be grateful if someone could have a look at my latest blood test results please. I had these done at the GP surgery. TSH 0.05, FT4 18.00 (12.00-22.00), FT3 6.1 (4.0-6.8). Are the thyroid hormones a little high? The GP of course is freaking out about the suppressed TSH. I have just started on Thyroid S after finishing my stock of Thiroyd about 10 days ago. I'm feeling fine but am under 7st. which the doctor is also worried about. Have to add here that I have had several compression fractures in my spine due to osteoporosis in the last year and as I've lost two and a half inches in height, my stomach is pushed upwards making it impossible to eat large meals. I have a telephone appointment with the doctor on Monday. Could someone please point me in the direction of the Dr Lowe/ Dr Toft paper on NDT. Many thanks. Ann

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

eannj

TSH 0.05, FT4 18.00 (12.00-22.00), FT3 6.1 (4.0-6.8). Are the thyroid hormones a little high?

No, they're not considered high. FT4 is 60% through range and FT3 is 75% through range if that range is correct (we usually see 3.1-6.8 or 3.5-6.5)

Obviously TSH is suppressed but that's what happens when on NDT.

I don't believe Dr Toft has done a paper on NDT, Dr Lowe I'm not sure, I thought his information was about T3. Maybe shaws knows.

[wisewoman108 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you SeasideSusie

[wisewoman108 in reply to wisewoman108]

I'm sure there was a paper cited to show to your doctor to explain the effect of T3. Could it be on the TUK website?

[shaws Administrator in reply to wisewoman108]

Maybe the following will be helpful and this is an extract:-

We have many such studies that bring into question the safety and effectiveness of T4 replacement for many hypothyroid patients. Whenever such studies are published, endocrinologists often resort to warped thinking to encourage hypothyroid patients to continuing T4 replacement as the only preferable approach. To me, it’s obvious that something other than the scientific findings drive these endocrinologists to advocate the use of only T4 replacement, despite its lack of safety and confirmed harm.

tpauk.com/main/article/the-...

[wisewoman108 in reply to shaws]

Thank you so much Shaw's. It looks very helpful

[kittyelen]

What is thyroid S? M T3 was nearer 10 at the highest and T4 30 at the highest, people on here said it can be normally be far higher for graves. Your T3 and T4 are actually in range just the TSH shows on the overactive side.

I was diagnosed with underlying graves, are they doing another blood test on you in 6-8 weeks to check? That's what they did with me before putting on meds (Carbimazole) but if you already have a diagnosis of something else and on the Thyroid S maybe the dose just needs adjusting, hope your next appointment goes well, it sounds like your weight loss is more related to your physical issue that sounds so painful! It's good your GP is looking into it to help you

[pennyannie in reply to kittyelen]

Thyroid S is a brand of Natural Desiccated Thyroid.

NDT - for short - is the original thyroid hormone replacement treatment and was used successfully for over 100 years prior to Big Pharma launching synthetic thyroid hormones in the middle of the last century.

NDT is made from pig thyroid dried and ground down into tablets referred to as grains.

NDT contains all the same known hormones as those found in the human gland namely T1. T2, calcitonin and a measure of T3 and a measure of T4 :

[wisewoman108 in reply to kittyelen]

I have Hashimotos kittyelen , but the GP believes I am hyperthyroid because of the suppressed TSH. She knows nothing about NDT and is just following the NICE guidelines, but as you say, at least she wants to help.

[pennyannie]

Hello Eannj :

Considering you are taking NDT I just think your T4 a little high ?

I guess having Hashimoto's puts a spanner in the works as there could be gut and absorption issues to consider.

I find my TSH low suppressed at 0.01 : my T4 around 25% through and my T3 around 110% through the ranges : and should I need a blood test result for the doctor I'd likely leave a 24 hour gap betwee last dose and blood draw.

However the ranges and guidelines were designed to be used with synthetic thyroid hormone replacement so I wouldn't be too concerned, though sadly your doctor and the computer are mostly programmed to a TSH knee jerk reaction and do not understand how NDt expresses itself.

[wisewoman108 in reply to pennyannie]

I am currently taking two and quarter grains each day, split into two doses. I think I may drop the quarter to show willing and see what the result is in 6 weeks.

[Boon79]

I would be pleased with those blood results if you feel well? I also take NDT (mixed with Levothyroxine), and my TSH is 0.01. My T4 and T3 are towards the upper part of the range. I feel well apart from lactose intolerance.,I am also gluten free. Go by how you feel rather than test results. I have had to educate my GP and Endocrinologist about suppressed TSH on NDT.