T3/T4 results

[Ireness]

Hi

I’d be grateful for and advice on my latest results please.

TSH 0.04 (range 0.27-4.2)

FT3 3.38 (range 3.1-6.8)

FT4 5.78 (range 12-22)

Medichecks doctor said:Your T3 has reduced a little and your thyroid stimulating hormone remains low. The thyroxine is now low which can be seen with the use of T3.

Given your current symptoms and the decrease in T3, I recommend that you see your GP to discuss this further.

I’m currently on 20mcg Liothyronine and 25mg Levothyroxine. Endo consultant said if this didn’t work she’d put me on 100mg Levothyroxine and no T3.

My GP has tested D3, folate, B12 and Ferritin. They’re all within range although I thought the D3 was a bit on the lower end so have increased my supplement dose.

Would just taking T3 be better or not?

Many thanks

[Lalatoot]

Some folks only need a little t3 added to our levo dose.I don't know why your endo reduced your levo so much when she added t3.

My endo decided that I should be on 50mcg levo and 20 MCG t3. I felt very ill on that dose and it has taken 2 years of small changes for me to arrive at my dose of 100mcg levo and 7.5mcg t3.

I would suggest that your consultant doesn't have much of a clue.

[Ireness in reply to Lalatoot]

That’s what I thought 😞

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Was test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

How do you normally take the T3

Do you split into 2 or 3 smaller doses

On day before test, always split T3 into 2 or 3 doses, taking last dose approx 8-12 hours before test

Is this how you did test ?

How much levothyroxine were you taking before T3 was added

Levothyroxine should only have been reduced by 25mcg when T3 was added

Recommend increasing levothyroxine by 25mcg to 50mcg per day and retest in 6-8 weeks

Meanwhile improving low vitamin D

[Ireness in reply to SlowDragon]

Many thanks for replying. For some reason my reply didn’t send 🙈.

I took the test at 6.45am (Medichecks).

When I was first prescribed T3 the NHS endo told me to take the medication all at the same time. After reading posts on here I split the dose of T3 and took it morning and evening.

Then when the dose was last changed I took it all in the morning to see if it made a difference. The latest test was done about 20 hours from my last dose and I fasted.

I pretty much had to beg for the increase in T3 as she said it was normal for FT3 to be below range on T3 but I just didn’t believe that.

I think she’ll probably just put me on 100mcg Levothyroxine now and discharge me (that’s what she said). I don’t feel she knows much about the thyroid.

She did a synacthen test a few months back and said it was normal. Baseline cortisol 436 and 30 minute level 760. Pituitary hormone (ACTH) 17 and FSH 86. There weren’t any ranges so I don’t know what any of them mean.

When I first started on T3 my FT3 was 3.4 (range 4.3-6.8)

FT4 11.7 (7.7-15.1).

My FT3 increased to 3.9 on those ranges and then the dose was changed. It’s now 3.8 (range 3.1-6.8). The FT4 is 5.78 (range 12-22) which seems odd. Is it normal for FT4 to give a low reading when you’re on T3?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ireness]

When I first started on T3 my

FT3 was 3.4 (range 4.3-6.8)

FT4 11.7 (7.7-15.1).

Can you double check ranges - They are very unusual

If range is correct

Ft4 was only 54% through range so you were under medicated and needed 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine

Ft3 range extremely odd

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

My FT3 increased to 3.9 on those ranges and then the dose was changed.

It’s now 3.8 (range 3.1-6.8).

The FT4 is 5.78 (range 12-22) which seems odd.

Is it normal for FT4 to give a low reading when you’re on T3?

Were tests done as recommended

Testing as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Last 1/2 or 1/3rd of daily T3 approx 8-12 hours before test

Most people when adequately treated on levothyroxine plus T3 will have Ft4 and Ft3 at least 50-60% through range

Suggest you increase levothyroxine by 25mcg

Retest in 6-8 weeks

You should see BOTH Ft4 and Ft3 improve

Likely to need at least another 25mcg dose increase after that ……possibly another after that

Essential to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 and maintain at OPTIMAL levels by supplementing

Come back with new post once you get results after 6-8 weeks on 50mcg levothyroxine and 20mcg T3

Remember

Last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Day before test split T3

Taking 10mcg at 7am, 5mcg at 2pm and 5mcg at 9pm - test following morning 9am

[Ireness in reply to SlowDragon]

That’s great …thankyou for all the advice