Blood tests 3 weeks after decrease in both t4 and t3?

[lisan1]

Because I feel terrible. Or should I just wait and feel awful so the tests will show true reading? My Ft3 and ft4 were at the bottom of the range before doc decreased both t4 and t3 because of TSH which I know is rubbish. Can I have blood taken tomorrow so I can start increasing again or should I hang in there for another week? Please

[Localhero]

I have every sympathy that you feel so bad. However, looking back at your other posts, other people here suggested you needed more, not less, of both T4 and T3. I’d concur. I’m wondering if you felt bullied by your GP into accepting less? If so, that’s totally unacceptable.

If I felt as bad as you, I would not be waiting. I’d try to speak immediately to my doctor and arrange for bloods to be done ASAP. If that didn’t get me the results I knew I needed, I’d find another way to achieve them, even if this meant going over my doctors head (eg to a private endo).

Also, have to been addressing the iron and other issues? These things have to be optimal for thyroid hormones to work.

[lisan1 in reply to Localhero]

Yes doc insisted after he contacted endo. ☹️ Am supplementing iron

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at most recent post, you needed 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine…not levothyroxine reduced

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

What were most recent vitamin results and ranges

Do you have Hashimoto’s

Have you had BOTH TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested

Or ultrasound scan of thyroid

[lisan1 in reply to SlowDragon]

Am supplementing iron. Ferritin was 56 and vit do and b12 was optimal but I'm still supplementing that too Have over range tgab

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to lisan1]

How low was ferritin

Are you vegetarian or vegan

What about vitamin D, folate and B12 levels

Do you split your T3 normally

Day before test split T3 into 3 taking last 1/3rd 8-12 hours before test

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

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine and T3 at each prescription

On almost any dose of T3 it’s extremely common for TSH to remain suppressed even if under medicated

Most important results are ALWAYS Ft3 followed by Ft4

Many of us find we need both Ft4 and Ft3 at least 60% through range

As you have Hashimoto’s, are you on strictly gluten free diet or dairy free?

[lisan1 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes gluten free. Ferritin was 56 and vit do and b12 was optimal but I'm still supplementing that too

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

lisan1

Personally I would wait the full 6 weeks to get a true picture of the devastation that reducing your doses has caused. Test now and your levels wont have settled, particularly your FT4 as that takes longer and, of course, it may still affect the FT3 due to whatever conversion you may still have naturally. You need the worst possible results to prove that he was wrong to reduce your doses and to show that you need them increased.

Two things to consider about your endo:

1) If he is expecting to get your TSH into range whilst taking T3 then he doesn't understand how taking T3 affects thyroid test results. It always lowers TSH and often suppresses it.

2) If he told you to reduce both Levo and T3 at the same time then how is he going to know which dose change has had what effect? You only should change one thing at a time.

I don't think this endo is doing you any favours, I'd run away as fast as I could if I were you.

[lisan1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Last time ft4 levels was 12 (12-22) so I'm hoping that it's under range even after 3 weeks. Do you think it will be.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to lisan1]

Probably…..but TSH unlikely to have changed

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to lisan1]

FT4 may or may not be below range, FT4 has a long half life of 7 days so it can take up to 6 weeks for levels to settle. But as SlowDragon has said, it's unlikely that TSH will have changed and it seems to be TSH that is bugging this doctor. You are going to need to emphasise that TSH is a pituitary hormone, it's the thyroid hormones - FT4 and FT3 - that show our thyroid status and yours are very low and you are very symptomatic. This is what the doctor should be taking into account. Also emphasise that you understand that taking T3 is going to lower TSH so as long as you continue taking T3 then your TSH is going to be low.

[lisan1]

Think I will go ahead tomorrow since I can't stand this any longer. Thanks for all your help! Might be back with new results.