Just had private thyroid function test results back, it would appear in a year I have gone from Hypo to Hyper. I am listing my results for your comments. Is it advisable to reduce my medication without consulting my doctor? I take 100mg levothyroxine daily, it would be easy to take tablet every other day. Look forward to your comments.
TSH 0.03
Free T3. 5.33
Free Thyroxine. 19.4
Thyroglobulin antibodies. 20.2
Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies. 15.8
Thanks
Do you have the reference intervals (ranges) for those test results? They don't mean much without them.
However, you appear absolutely NOT hyperthyroid. At most, slightly over-medicated. And even that is questionable.
A 100 microgram tablet every other day would be a dramatic reduction and absolutely not called for.
Madebyme
Assuming you used Medichecks as you did last time, or Blue Horizon or Thriva - they all have the same reference ranges - then your results are fine:
TSH 0.03 (0.27-4.20)
Free T3. 5.33 (3.1-6.8)
Free Thyroxine. 19.4 (12-22)
You are hypothyroid, it's physically impossible for your thyroid to regenerate and you become hypERthyroid. I imagine you are looking at your TSH and see that it has gone under range. TSH is useful for diagnosis but once on thyroid hormone replacement it's the FT4 and FT3 results which are the most important as these are the actual thyroid hormones. TSH is a signal from the pituitary to the thyroid to make hormone if it detects there's not enough. If the pituitary is satisfied then TSH remains low because it doesn't need to send this signal.
Your FT4 and FT3 are 74% and 66% through their ranges respectively, they are good results and in no way do they indicate overmedication. But the most important question is:
How do you feel?
If you feel well with this dose then there is no need to do anything. If your FT4 and FT3 were over range that would suggest looking at the dose you take.
Obviously, if you've used a different lab with different ranges and your FT4 and FT3 are over range these comments are irrelevant.
Thank you for your response. I do actually have the occasional heart flutter, I do get hot and have a pain/discomfort in my chest nearly all the time. Generally I don’t feel too bad. Yes I used Medichecks, so good to know I’m not over medicated.
You should ask GP to do a heart test so that you can relax and not worry.
T3 (liothyronine) is the active thyroid hormones (should converted from T4 (levothyroxine) but doesn't always do so. Our hearts and brains have the most T3 receptor cells but they are also throughout our bodies.
As helvella says we need the lab ranges to know more - but you are absolutely NOT over-medicated if TSH goes below the lab range - only if free T3 is over. Many free T3 lab ranges stop at 6.8 which is comfortably above your result.
How do you feel? If you are always hot, have palpitations, are losing weight that might also indicate you are over-medicated ... but it's more likely you are just at a good level of actual thyroid hormones with a slightly suppressed TSH (which doesn't matter a jot once you are on levo).
But even if you did want to reduce your dose, on such a modest level of levo, it would be more sensible to reduce by 1/4 tablet every other day rather than a totally drastic halving of your meds x
ALWAYS test thyroid levels as early as possible in morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
This gives highest TSH
Is this how you do your tests
Your results don’t show over medication
If Ft3 is not over range you’re not over medicated
Previous post shows low vitamin D
How much vitamin D are you currently taking
Vitamin D levels need retesting, ideally twice year, definitely once a year
Aiming for vitamin D at least around 80nmol and around 100nmol maybe better
Test twice yearly via NHS private testing service when supplementing
I did the test before 9am as you state and was without medication for 24 hours. I’m pleased to know that I’m not over medicated, however I do get the occasional heart flutter and I do have discomfort in my chest, otherwise I generally feel ok.I have been taking Vitamin D since the last test, the tablets are 1000iu and I take 1.
1000iu is only a low maintenance dose
Suggest you retest vitamin D now
We are all different how much vitamin D we need…..
You may need higher dose in winter than summer
Hence reason to test mid winter (now) and end of summer
Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is very effective as it avoids poor gut function.
There’s a version made that also contains vitamin K2 Mk7. One spray = 1000iu.
amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...
It’s trial and error what dose we need
Vitamin D and thyroid disease
grassrootshealth.net/blog/t...
Vitamin D may prevent Autoimmune disease
Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription?
Many people find different brands are not interchangeable
If you needed to reduce levothyroxine (unlikely ) you would only reduce by maximum of 12.5mcg per day ….or even only reduce by 12.5mcg 2 or 3 times per week
Wait 6-8 weeks and retest
But first it’s important to make sure all four vitamins are at GOOD Levels….so retest vitamin D
Once year ideally retest Full thyroid and vitamin levels via Medichecks or Blue horizon
By taking 100mg I always get the same brand, the brand was always different when I took 75mg. Will test my Vitamin D levels. Thank you for your help.
if you did want to try a slightly reduced dose for a few weeks to see how it felt while still using the 100mcg tablets you like... it is possible like this : 7 days x 85.7mcg = 600 mcg/week.
achieved by
5 days x 100mcg ......2 days x 50mcg (by halving a 100 tablet ) Don't put the 50mcg days next to each other .. separate them .
(or even 6 days x 100mcg ...... 1 day no levo.. but personally i wouldn't recommend having a day with nothing at all , it's too big a change , you'd probably notice and feel 'wrong' on that day )
Doing it this way will not suit everybody .. some people would not get on well with the big difference in daily dose .. but some would not notice the difference at all .. so it could be at least worth a try if you wanted a way to try a slightly lower dose while still using the tablets you have .
Thank you for your suggestion.
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