thyroid tests including t3

[katherine107]

I have just had these results yesterday and seeing endocrinologist on thursday. Trying to stop my liothyrine.

free t3 3.8 (ref 3.1 - 6.8)

tsh 0.03 (ref 0.3-5-.5}

free t4 3.0 (ref 10.0-22.0)

[DippyDame]

Another example of the mess made by dosing by TSH.How do you feel?

Were you still taking 50mcg T3 at the time of this test?

TSH tests were not devised for T3 monitoring.

On T3 the most important lab is FT3...FT4 and TSH will be low, but you know that.

T3 is the active thyroid hormone essential to every cell in the body.

For good health the cells need an adequate and constant supply of T3

Doctors don't seem to get their heads round this.

This result shows FT3 is only 18.92% through the ref range when it should be ( roughly) approaching 75%

This is not an adequate supply!

Your profile indicates that you've been taking T3 for years...why the withdrawal now?

Has this been prescribed by an endo?

If so, you need to direct your current endo to your notes and ask him how he justifies withdrawing your T3 when FT3 is only 18.92% through the ref range.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Was test done early morning, ideally before 9am

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

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

[katherine107 in reply to SlowDragon]

Test done at 12.45. last dose of t3 was at 8.30 am day before. I take vitamin d

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to katherine107]

Last dose T3 should have been 1am - 12 hours before test

Suggest you get full thyroid and vitamin testing done yourself via Medichecks or Blue horizon

Test early Monday or Tuesday morning before 9am

Day before test split T3 into 3 doses

If still on 50mcg

20mcg waking, 10mcg mid afternoon and 10mcg 9pm

Don’t take vitamin D on morning of test

Come back with new post once you get results

[katherine107 in reply to SlowDragon]

I am seeing ends Thursday morning so won't have to to have test done by then.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to katherine107]

Then refuse to alter anything until you have got full private test results back

You can say you will send/email them a copy

[katherine107 in reply to SlowDragon]

I cannot cancel appt as it will definitely be stopped then. Can I ask why could the t4 be so low?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to katherine107]

Non existent Ft4 ….That’s typical of anyone on just T3

Your own thyroid doesn’t work, so there’s no Ft4 being made

You only take T3 ….so you will only have Ft3 in your blood

But it’s important to ensure you have good vitamin levels so that Ft3 can work well

Request endocrinologist test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

[katherine107 in reply to SlowDragon]

Ok thankyou

[DippyDame in reply to katherine107]

Did you see my reply?

You are on T3-only so both FT4 and TSH will be low...that's the way the body works!

Suggest, before appointment that you make a list of the questions you want to ask this endo and the points you wish to put to him in support of keeping T3....so that you don't forget something.

Why would you cancel the appt?

Follow SlowDragon s advice above.

Labs above indicate you are undermedicated.

But you need to have a Full Thyroid Test before altering/stopping T3 medication.

TsH, FT4, FT3, vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin and antibodies

Good luck

[katherine107 in reply to DippyDame]

Sorry missed your reply. I won't have time to have private test. I take high dose of vitamin d.

[DippyDame in reply to katherine107]

It was suggested that you have the test before - even after if no time before - your endo appt. then send the results to the endo for his perusal.

[katherine107 in reply to DippyDame]

I cannot tolerat levothyroxine. Was on it for years and made me ill

[DippyDame in reply to katherine107]

Yes, I understand that!

I wasn't referring to levothyroxine.

I need high dose T3-only to function so I fully understand your concern.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to katherine107]

No one’s suggesting you stop T3

But you need poof for endocrinologist that you need T3

They might suggest introducing a small 25mcg dose of levothyroxine alongside T3

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Presumably with EDS you have Hashimoto’s?

What are your most recent thyroid antibodies test results

Are you already on strictly gluten free diet?

If not request endocrinologist do coeliac blood test and ultrasound scan of thyroid too

Approx 86% Hashimoto’s patients find strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential, but only 5% test positive for coeliac

EDS patients often find strictly gluten free diet beneficial

[katherine107 in reply to SlowDragon]

I hardly have gluten but occasionally do. Will try and cut out. I feel well on the liothyronine. Just worried it will be stopped

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to katherine107]

You need to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing to see where vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels are

Important to test vitamin levels at least once a year

Day before test, Splitting T3 dose into 3 smaller doses taking last 1/3rd of daily dose approx 8-12 hours before test

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning

Come back with new post once you get results

Are you now strictly gluten free