Latest bloods

[Spangle15]

Hi everyone

Just over 6 weeks ago, I stopped my T3 and just continued with thyroxine. 100 mcg day one and day two, 125 mcg day three, and then the cycle repeats.

Then 3 weeks ago, I caught covid. Just before getting it, I was feeling tired and have been incredibly tired ever since.

I just wondered if these results could be the cause of the tiredness or whether it’s still covid? Grateful if any input. I’d rather no one mentions long covid as I don’t want to hear any negative stories.

The plan was to consider going back on NDT and thyroxine once I got these bloods.

I did the blood test as per the protocol here, thyroxine 24 hours prior to test, and test done first thing in the morning after fasting.

Many thanks.

[greygoose]

I just wondered if these results could be the cause of the tiredness

Well, I would say most definitely yes. That FT3 is so low! Should be at least over mid-range. I wouldn't be able to get out of bed with that level.

Why did you stop the T3?

[Spangle15 in reply to greygoose]

Hi greygoose

Thank you for responding. I wasn’t sure if it was causing some weird symptoms I was getting. (It wasn’t but I don’t think I’ve ever felt right on it so I’m not sure it suits me). I actually felt much more like a human being except for the tiredness after a couple of weeks of stopping it. But now the fatigue is getting pretty unbearable.

[greygoose in reply to Spangle15]

Perhaps you just weren't taking enough T3?

[Spangle15 in reply to greygoose]

I’m not sure. Whilst we were trying to get my dose right over the past two years, my bloods have swung from 4.1 to 8.6 (3.1 -6.8 range) and everything in between. And I never felt right. But maybe you’re right because most of the time they were either between 4 and 5.2, or above range. I had one result at 6.2 but the test was done at lunchtime and I had taken my T3 in the morning so I’m not sure how accurate that was.

[greygoose in reply to Spangle15]

It wasn't accurate at all! We always advise leaving 8 to 12 hours between the last dose and the blood draw.

Do you have Hashi's?

[Spangle15 in reply to greygoose]

I had a partial thyroidectomy about 28 years ago but it was because of nodules not graves. In private tests I’ve done in recent years my antibodies have been slightly raised.

[greygoose in reply to Spangle15]

Which antibodies? TPO?

[Spangle15 in reply to greygoose]

Yes, I think so - peroxidase.

[greygoose in reply to Spangle15]

OK, so even slightly over-range does mean you have Hashi's, which explains why your FT3 levels fluctuate so much.

[Spangle15 in reply to greygoose]

That's interesting, thank you.

Is there a way to stabilise them? I haven't been able to stay on the same dose for very long since I started trialling NDT and then T3. My levels change so often.

Prior to that, I was pretty stable for more than 20 odd years on just thyroxine.

I don't eat gluten and the TPO dropped from 120 odd to 60 ish once I gave it up.

[greygoose in reply to Spangle15]

There is no known way of controlling the attacks on the thyroid, which cause the fluctuations, I'm afraid. But, they have nothing to do with the antibodies. Doesn't matter if their level is 120 or 60, the disease continues it's path to the complete destruction of your thyroid.

[Spangle15 in reply to greygoose]

So I guess it’s just monitoring with bloods on a regular basis.

[greygoose in reply to Spangle15]

That's about the size of it, yes.

[Spangle15 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you greygoose.

Am I right in thinking that most people need to be at least 75% through range for both T4 and T3?

[greygoose in reply to Spangle15]

Difficult to put a number on it. You need what you need. Although it's possible that some people need less than 75%, most do need at least that, yes. However, you don't want your FT4 too high, because that will negatively affect your conversion. It's all a question of trial and error to find what's right for you as an individual.

[Spangle15 in reply to greygoose]

Ok, thank you so much for all your replies today.

[Polly91 in reply to greygoose]

Just out of interest Greygoose how high is too high for T4? & what does it do to conversion ? Thanks

[greygoose in reply to Polly91]

How long is a piece of string? It's different for everyone. We all have different set-points. But, it's very noticable when reading through peoples past blood test results that their FT4 will get to a certain point, and conversion will visibly drop.

This is because when the FT4 gets to a certain point near the top of the range, or over the top, the body will start to convert it to more rT3 and less T3. This is a safety mechanism to stop you 'going hyper' - having excess T3, which is not a good thing. Reduce the level of FT4 and the body will go back to converting 30% of your T4 to T3 and 30% to rT3 - hopefully!

[Polly91 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks GG v helpful

[greygoose in reply to Polly91]

You're welcome.

[beaubeau1121 in reply to greygoose]

Wonder if the endo like mine … sees a low TSH & gives the blame to T3…I am now on t3 only…55mg daily … & dread the forthcoming endo visit following my blood test! I am allergic to levo… so that is my story & sticking to it.

Long Covid can be a partial culprit but agree w you… T3 is a game changer as well.

Thank you for all your help!

[greygoose in reply to beaubeau1121]

Well, T3 does suppress TSH, that's what it does. But it's not a question of blame. The pituitary is no-longer producing TSH because it considers you no-longer need it anymore.

And, by the way, if an endo goes on about suppressed TSH being 'dangerous' for hearts and bones, ask him why it is so easy to suppress if the hearts and bones need it so much. Surely if TSH is essential for healthy bones and hearts, the pituitary would continue producing it no matter what. Their stance is utterly illogical. But, then, I've never found doctors to be very hot on logic.

[beaubeau1121 in reply to greygoose]

Think endos have liitle interest w thyroid issues… just follow alleged guidelines…& would rather work w other patients & issues

[greygoose in reply to beaubeau1121]

Oh, that's exactly it. They're nearly all diabetes specialist. They think thyroid is no big deal and we're all making a fuss about nothing.

[AppleOrchard]

I got Covid on 19th January and I felt absolutely dreadful. I wasn’t recovering from the fatigue so I went for blood tests. My T3 was only 29% through the range. I decided to start taking T3 after lots of advice from here. Since then I have begun to feel much better. It’s slow going but I’m really noticing I have more energy. So I would say it’s your thyroid. You need more T3.

[Spangle15 in reply to AppleOrchard]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. It’s really good to know that. My T3 is currently at 22% of range so given what you and Greygoose said, it does very likely seem the cause.