When would you do a blood test?

I see my private endo on Thursday 16th September so I would in theory do bloods on Monday 6th but that means I'll only have been on my dose increase for 6 weeks.

I could test on Monday 13th but that only leaves 3.5 days turn around for bloods, which in theory would be fine but y'know!!

Would an extra week make that much difference to FT3&4 levels?

[Lalatoot]

It is what it is. You need blood tests for appt so you need to get them done at 6 weeks.

[Hidden in reply to Lalatoot]

Do you know how much difference it would make?

[Lalatoot in reply to Hidden]

Can't say. Some folks feel the full benefit of dose change at 6 weeks while others say it takes them 12 weeks for the full benefit to show. It is a bit how long is a piece of string?

[Hidden in reply to Lalatoot]

I think I need more like 12 weeks but endo offering T3 trial that I want to get my hands on sooner rather than later. 😂

Just wondered if it would make a significant difference, but as you say; impossible to know.

[Hidden in reply to Lalatoot]

In case you're curious or someone finds this is years to come...

For the sake of science I had bloods done at week 6 and week 7!

Week 6 results:

TSH - 1.62

FT4 - 19.6 (12-22) 76%

FT3 - 4.2 (3.1-6.8) 29.73%

Week 7 results:

TSH - 1.36

FT4 - 19.8 (12-22) 78%

FT3 - 4.4 (3.1-6.8) 35.14%

So minimal difference in TSH and FT4 but actually quite a difference to FT3.

[Josephineinamachine]

Can you push back your Endo appointment by a week or so if you feel you need more time? Only if you feel you need it, mind.

[Hidden in reply to Josephineinamachine]

I'm in a quandary to be honest. I think I only get a true measure of how I am on levo after about 10/12 weeks so in theory I should wait another 6 weeks to see if my levo dose is right for me

BUT!

Private Endo has agreed to prescribe T3 or NDT at my next appointment and I've been hanging on by my fingernails for the appointment.

I think it's clear from my results though that regardless of my T4 results I don't convert brilliantly; the best I managed was 96%/45%.

So I suppose in theory, at least, that it's somewhat irrelevant how I am on levo when it's clear it's not enough to restore my health.

I could just go round in circles with it! Sorry for the stream of consciousness!! 🌱

[Josephineinamachine in reply to Hidden]

Ah - go for it then! A week or two won’t make much difference and as you say, your results are immaterial in the face of desperately needing to try T3 or NDT! Good luck! 😊