Latest results and discussion with GP.

[sobs1962]

Here are my latest results

TSH - 0.02 (0.35 - 5.50) 19/10/2021

Ft4 - 21.9 (10.0 - 20.0) 19/10/2021

Had a discussion with GP on phone about this and we've agreed, I should go on 80mg sustained release Propranolol as my anxiety is very bad at the moment. He is concerned about my suppressed TSH and obviously is talking about reducing my Levothyroxine dose, despite not knowing my FT3 levels and he said he doesn't know why the labs don't test it, despite my suppressed TSH. He also asked me to think about the possibility of starting HRT to see if that might alleviate some of my symptoms, especially my anxiety and stress. Wants bloods redone at end of November but unless,FT3 is tested, they cannot diagnose thyrotoxicosis or hyperthyroidism , so don't really know what to think of all of it. Any advice would be most welcome.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Has your GP rung the lab to explain why it's important you have the FT3 test done? It's possible they may do it if he speaks directly to them and explains the position.

Alternatively, consider doing the thyroid test with MonitorMyHealth, an NHS lab that offers the basic thyroid panel - TSH, FT4, FT3 - to the general public for £26.10 with code here:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

You shouldn't have to pay for a test if your GP says you need FT3 as well, but if he can't persuade the lab to do it there's probably no other way.

[sobs1962 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Think you may be right. If I get it done then, they can't reduce my levo dose if my ft3 is within range which I'm sure it will be as, propranolol is interfering with the conversion process.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sobs1962]

Also, the fact that MonitorMyHealth is the lab at NHS Exeter hospital it will be very difficult for your doctor to dismiss the results.

[sobs1962 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes, that's true, I just wish, we all didn't have to take these measures to try to get the so-called "experts" to listen to us and stop treating us like we're hysterical "women" or hypochondriacs.

[greygoose]

Wants bloods redone at end of November but unless,FT3 is tested, they cannot diagnose thyrotoxicosis or hyperthyroidism

Well, they can't, anyway, no matter what the FT3 level, because you are hypo and taking levo. If you are hypo, you can't suddenly become hyper, it just doesn't work that way.

And, what would he do, anyway, if he diagnosed 'hyperthyroidism'? Put you on anti-thyroid drugs? That would be a complete catastrophe.

You could be over-medicated but you won't know that unless you have your FT3 tested, You are only over-medicated if your FT3 is well over-range. But, that is highly doubtful because your FT4 is only a little over-range - certainly not enough to be thyrotoxicosis! - and FT3 will doubtless be lower in range than the FT4 because not all of that T4 will be converting to T3.

The suppressed TSH is not something to worry about - certainly not a reason to reduce your dose of levo. I'm not entirely convinced that your doctor knows what he is talking about.

[sobs1962 in reply to greygoose]

I have absolutely no doubt of that, he just is worried about my suppressed tsh and the so called dangers of that, but genuinely doesn't seem to get that TSH is a pituitary hormone and I explained that both myself and my twin brother have had problems with our pituitary in the past, me with late puberty,as didn't start my period till one month before my 16th birthday and my twin brother was always head and shoulders smaller than me but did grow eventually but is only 5'2" now. I talked about my adrenal function but said you've had a cortisol test and it came back normal, so going to get nowhere going down that route.