Please could someone help with my blood results?

[A1Amber]

As suggested on here I have had my blood tests done. I am on 200 mg thyroxine and not feeling ok.

TSH 0.25 mu/L (0.27 - 4.2 mu/L)

T4 17.2 pmol/L (12 - 22 pmol/L)

T3 3.9 pmo/L (3.1 - 6.8 pmol/L)

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Was this test done early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

As per previous two posts

Can you answer when were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

Are you currently taking any vitamin supplements

If yes, what exactly

Have you had coeliac blood test done

Are you on strictly gluten free diet or dairy free diet

If not gluten free or dairy free

Request GP test all four vitamins and blood test for coeliac disease and lactose intolerance breath test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

[SlowDragon Administrator]

FT4: 17.2 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22) 52.00%

FT3: 3.9 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8) 21.62%

Shows you are either under medicated or malabsorption of levothyroxine as Ft4 is only 52% through range

Poor conversion as well as shown by low Ft3 at 21%

Likely very low vitamin levels

Quite likely lactose intolerant/gluten intolerant

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

You might need liquid levothyroxine and/or T3 added

Request referral to endocrinologist

Email Thyroid U.K. for list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologist and doctors

[e-mail]

[pennyannie]

Hello A1Amber :

The accepted conversion ratio when on T4 only is said to be 1 / 3.50 - 4.50 T3/T4 with most people feeling at their best when they come in at around 4 or under :

To find your conversion ratio you simply divide your T3 into your T4 and I'm getting yours coming in at around 4.41 so showing your conversion struggling and wide of center point.

Conversion can be compromised by low vitamins and minerals especially those of ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D , inflammation, any physiological stress ( emotional or physical ) depression, dieting and ageing, so whilst we can't control all these factors we can try and optimise the vitamins and minerals.

Do you have any additional results for these co-factors ?

Your results, overall. look low considering you are taking 200 mcg daily T4 and wonder if there is an absorption issue ?

[A1Amber in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you for your reply. I shall have the mineral/vitamin test you mentioned.I feel I am going in circles. 18 months ago I had episodes of dizziness and rapid heart beat. So whilst on holiday in Cyprus had full thyroid test with all you mentioned. I passed this to my Gp at home. He wrote to me saying perhaps I should find a private endocrinologist as there would be a very long time to wait in my area. I did this. The encrinoligist checked my heart rate and said looking at my thyroxin strength of 200 mg perhaps it should be reduced to 175 mg and see the effect. After 6 months it was decided to increase to 200 mg again.

I have these new blood results but think that my Gp will be as disinterested as before.

[pennyannie in reply to A1Amber]

Yes, I dipped into your previous posts before replying to you this morning :

I think in primary care the knowledge is limited to a TSH blood test - T4 and or anti depressants if you feel no better - leaving you feeling as though it's all in your head.

It isn't and you will likely have to become your own best advocate to get your T3 and T4 levels you need them to be as well as you can.

From my experience doctors work on getting you into the ranges, whether thyroid or vitamins and minerals, and then see their job done, irrespective of where you levels ' sit ':

Just for reference when I started my learning curve, my ferritin was low at around 22, but in range, and everywhere I read, suggested ferritin needs to be at least over 70 for optimal thyroid hormone replacement.

Your previous results will be interesting, but not relevant today, so, yes, you'll likely need to et these co-factors run again, and you'll find details on the Thyroid UK who are the charity who support this forum, of companies who can run the relevant tests for you.

[A1Amber in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you. I shall go onto Thyroid UK today.

[pennyannie in reply to A1Amber]

It's generally called a ' thyroid bundle ' or an ' advanced thyroid blood test ' and around 10 blood analysis and some companies offer a nurse home visit to draw your blood which I find the easiest least stressful way.

Fast overnight, just taking in water, and arrange an early as possible blood test appointment - do not take your daily T4 until after the blood test, it will not matter as T4 is a storage hormone.

Stop any vitamins and minerals for the week beforehand and anything containing biotin as that can interfere with the Laboratory analysis.