Test results please

[Jodiedebs]

Hi , I currently take 50mcg T4 and 10mcg Lio T3 , I have hypothyroidism and hashimotos thyroiditis, please can someone let me know if these results are OK ? I'm still suffering huge weight gain ( 7st to 11.5 st ) in 3 years , ache all over, also have atrial fibrillation, any advice would be fab much appreciated

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Jodiedebs

Presumably your Lio T3 is prescribed?

How long have you been on this?

Was Levo reduced when you had Lio T3 added? If so, by how much?

When you did your test, did you do it early morning (no later than 9am), before breakfast and only water to drink, and did you take your last dose of Levo 24 hours before test and last dose of T3 8-12 hours before test?

If yest to those questions about how you did your test then your TSH is too high, it generally is very low or suppressed when T3 is added. Your FT4 is below range which suggests that your Levo was reduced too much. Your FT3 is low in range. When on combination thyroid hormone replacement we generally see FT3 in the upper part of it's range and it's very individual where we need our FT4. Some of us need both FT4 and FT3 fairly well balanced in the upper part of their ranges, some are fine with a lower FT4 as long as FT3 is in the upper part of it's range. It's very rare that anyone on Levo plus T3 finds a below range FT4 is a good place for them.

Did you have Vit D, B12, Folate and Ferritin tested? These all need to be optimal for any thyroid hormone to work, and also important for them to be optimal before T3 is added.

[Jodiedebs in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hiya , yes T3 prescribed by Endo and iv been on it for 2 years but was on 75mcg T4 and 10mcg T3 , yes I took the bloods myself first thing and yes I took my thyroid meds after I took my bloods, I was surprised because the doctor from medichecks said I'm in range on all and that my antibodies were raised but expected as I have hashimotos , usually my TSH is very suppressed and I was surprised to hear it wasn't according to them ? I take 4000 vit D3 also take vit B12 and vit B complex , I feel way better than I did compared to 4 years ago when I first joined here I was so very ill and could barely get out of bed , my concern is the chronic aches in joints , huge weight gain which is obviously effecting my well being , I just feel the admin and members here give a more honest and factual advice than GPS sorry but its true

[Jodiedebs in reply to Jodiedebs]

Medichecks results

Medichecks results

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jodiedebs]

Jodiedebs

yes T3 prescribed by Endo and iv been on it for 2 years but was on 75mcg T4 and 10mcg T3

Why was the Levo reduced from 75mcg to your current 50mcg?

I took my thyroid meds after I took my bloods

Did you leave 24 hours from last dose of Levo and 8-12 hours from last dose of T3 before testing (splitting T3 into 2 x 5mcg the day before the test)? If you left longer than those time gaps your results will be showing false lows.

I was surprised because the doctor from medichecks said I'm in range on all

Well, yes they would say the results are in range but it doesn't mean they're optimal nor does it mean that you feel well with them at those levels. Generally the doctor's comments aren't worth having, they're about as much use as a chocolate teapot! Next time when you order tick the box that says

◻ Results only (without doctor's comments)

However, personally I'd be tempted to write back and ask if that particular doctor is need of an appointment at SpecSavers and point out that a result of 11 with a range of 12-22 is hardly "in range". See what they say, another member this week had a momumental c**k up from the doctor who commented on her results.

I take 4000 vit D3 also take vit B12 and vit B complex

Did you stop the B Complex for a few days before the test as Medichecks tell you in the email to say "Order Complete"? B Complex contains biotin and this gives false results when biotin is used in the testing process, which most labs do including Medichecks.

What are your current levels?

Hopefully you tested before starting to supplement so that you knew you needed them and what dose to take? Vit D is recommended to be tested twice a year when supplementing, the others once a year at least.

And what about ferritin, do you have a result for that?

my concern is the chronic aches in joints , huge weight gain which is obviously effecting my well being

I expect that's because you're undermedicated, I've explained above what levels are generally expected to be like when on combination thyroid hormone replacement. In my opinion you should have an immediate increase in your Levo - 25mcg - and retest in 8 weeks to see what happens to all your thyroid levels, then reassess.

Jodiedebs Edited to add that now you have posted the doctor's comments it's clear that he didn't say that you were "in range on all" , he did point out that your FT4 was "slightly below normal".

[Jodiedebs in reply to SeasideSusie]

Sorry yes your right not in range on all , I misunderstood it first now iv re read his comment apologies, yes I stopped vit B complex for 5 days before testing and felt immediately drained without it to be honest , levo reduced to 50mcg because of repeated low TSH which is usually due to taking T3 but they wouldn't listen , so basically I left it 24 hours after taking levo and T3 then took my bloods. Iv messed up haven't I 😏

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jodiedebs]

When you stop vitamin B complex you can instead take separate folate and separate B12 for these few days before test

On levothyroxine plus T3 many, many people have extremely low TSH …well below bottom of range

Most important results are ALWAYS Ft3 and Ft4…not TSH

levo reduced to 50mcg because of repeated low TSH

Who reduced your levothyroxine …..GP shouldn’t meddle

[Jodiedebs in reply to SlowDragon]

I did stop the b complex 4 days prior to testing , my GP was unhappy at constant low TSH I explained it would be due to taking T3 but lowered it to 50

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jodiedebs]

Well your GP is clueless

On almost any dose of T3 TSH is frequently suppressed

Is your T3 self sourced or prescribed

If prescribed endocrinologist should be overseeing your dose management

GP should not be meddling

You need 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase or brand change in levothyroxine

On levothyroxine plus T3, many many people find they need BOTH Ft4 and Ft3 at least 50% through range

Frequently TSH will be well below range or suppressed

As long as you don’t have hyperthyroid symptoms or Ft3 over range, low TSH is irrelevant

[SlowDragon Administrator]

all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

On T3 or NDT - day before test split daily dose into 2 or 3 smaller doses, spread through the day at approx 8 hour intervals, taking last 1/2 or 1/3rd of daily dose 8-12 hours before test

Many people on levothyroxine plus T3 need both Ft4 and Ft3 at least 50% through range

Ft4 is below range

Suggest you request 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine

This should increase Ft4 and Ft3

Essential to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

[Jodiedebs in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you I appreciate your help

[Jodiedebs in reply to SlowDragon]

I will ask for these to be tested but gp reluctant to do any tests at the moment so I guess il go medichecks again thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As you have Hashimoto’s are you on strictly gluten free diet

If not …..have you had coeliac blood test done

If not get tested BEFORE trialing strictly gluten free diet

[Jodiedebs in reply to SlowDragon]

Tried strictly gluten free diet I gained weight and didn't improve in fact I felt better when I started eating seeded wholemeal bread again , my headaches disappeared, gluten free made no difference to my symptoms to be honest