My TSH came back at 0.02, so they reduced my T3 from 35 to 30. It has only been 3 weeks and TSH is now 0.05. How long does it take to get a stabilized TSH after altering the dose when on t3?
I have put my history of tests in to show that 35 previously came back with an in range TSH
I have been on liothyronine on its own for 5 years
Can someone explain these results? The fact my body is still making t4 is I find confusing, is this normal?
Could T3 be pooling in the blood, not getting into the cells making the blood result look artificially high? Would this affect the TSH like this?
Charlotte6789
You have put the same range for FT4 and FT3. We know that 3.1-6.8 is a common range for FT3 but it definitely is not a range for FT4.
When testing, last dose of T3 should be 8-12 hours before test, splitting dose into 2 or 3 the day before and altering time to achieve the 8-12 hour gap for last part of dose. By leaving 17 hours you have a false low FT3 result.
Even allowing for a false low FT3, your level is well within range and there was no need to reduce your dose of T3. Your doctor should know that taking T3 lowers or suppressed TSH so he shouldn't be worried.
As for the differences in your TSH level, were all tests done at the same time (preferably no later than 9am), with nothing to eat or drink except water before the test? If not time of test can give different TSH levels, and certain foods/drinks can affect TSH.
Thank you for this info I appreciate your reply.
Thank your for your reply.You were right about the range being wrong. I don't know how to edit the image in this post though.
Thanks for the info regrading test timing, I shall try bear in mind in the future.
And no - the historical tests I was not told any particular instructions as to what time to take etc sadly.
Charlotte6789
I don't know how to edit the image in this post though.
You would have to edit the original image, I'm imagining it's a spreadsheet you have created?? Once you've edited the original you can then delete the image in your first post and substitute it with the new one.
Hi Charlotte
How long does it take to get a stabilized TSH after altering the dose when on t3?
Well, potentially that’ll never happen. However much our misinformed GPs might want it to happen. For reasons I don’t really understand, when we take any amount of T3 (or indeed NDT), it tends to suppress TSH. And no amount of tweaking of dosage will fix the “problem” very much. The hypothalamus is very sensitive to T3 in the bloodstream and if it senses it, even in lower doses, TSH is barely produced.
So your doctor needs to ignore TSH and focus on how high in range your FT3 is. If FT3 isn’t over-range, you won’t be overmedicated.
How do you feel? Why do you care about TSH? Once you interfere with the feedback loop, you’ll get a low TSH.
Do you really think this is ‘suddenly fallen’? Looks quite normal to me 🤷♀️
Because the doctors are freaking out about it being too low.
Then you’re in the same position as most of us. So I say again ‘how do you feel?’
My TSH has been 0.003 since the month I started adding T3. After 10yrs of being unwell, I have been well for over 2yrs.
I hold my ground, respectfully declining their concerns based on my FT4/3 results (I’m on combo treatment) and lack of hypo or hyper symptoms. I continue to say that I am optimal and that TSH is now of no concern in my case as an individual because I’m taking T3.
Your TSH looks normal.
Your tsh is never going to be in range if taking quite a bit of T3. I’d try to get the docs to accept that and support you getting your T3 higher in range. If if you start feeling better til mine was over 6.
I’m taking 32.5 lio and my tsh is 0.01. When I was taking 10 lio my tsh was 0.03 ie still suppressed.
There is no relevance to TSH once you are on T3. It will be suppressed. I had an Endo that was oblivious to that fact even though I showed her that at the very start of taking just 10mcg of T3 a day along with the T4 my TSH went to .001. and that was 5 years ago. My TSH has stayed at that number most of that time. The Endo should be more concerned where your FT3 and FT4 are at along with how you feel.
Thank for for sharing your experience.What is confusing me is that in pasts tests it was within their range, but now its not.
Like Schenks, my endo is suddenly back on the TSH trail...
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