Extreme Tiredness

[jojomac23]

I have been experiencing extreme tiredness and falling asleep several times per day

My TSH is 0.02 and T4 is 19.5 so these results are good

I take 125 thyroxine and a small amount of T3

I have had blood tests, full blood count, liver and kidneys and all are fine

I would really appreciate any advice

Thanks

[greygoose]

TSH and FT4 are good, I imagine, but you haven't put the ranges. But, the most important number is missing: FT3. If that is still too low, you will continue to have symptoms like extreme tiredness, because it's T3 that causes symptoms, not T4 or TSH.

[jojomac23 in reply to greygoose]

I don't think nhs test for t3. I would take more t3 tablets but when I do my heart starts racing

[greygoose in reply to jojomac23]

No, the NHS doesn't like testing for T3, which is why so many people get it tested privately.

Not a good idea to increase T3 without seeing the level, but inability to increase dose is often due to nutritional deficiencies. Have you had your vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested?

[jojomac23 in reply to greygoose]

I take a range of b vitamins and b12, vitamin d3 and vitamin k. I have had a full blood count and all fine including iron

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Plus important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once a year

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription?

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

How much T3 are you currently taking

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

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

On T3 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

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

[jojomac23 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks, I have just ordered tests from medichecks particularly to find my FT3 levels

I have been tested for all vitamins and they are fine, I take vit d3 plus vitamin k and all b vitamins

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to jojomac23]

Remember to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before blood test, eg vitamin B complex, as biotin can falsely affect test results

Important to test with 24 hours between last dose levothyroxine and test

Last 1/3rd of daily dose T3 approx 8-12 hours before test

Come back with new post once you get results

[jojomac23 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks , Will do

[jojomac23 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi , These are my results

TSH =0.02 ..the range is 0.27-4.2 So I am very slightly under the range

Free T3 = 4.17 The range is 3.1-6.8

T4 =17.8 The range is 12-22

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to jojomac23]

Was this test done as advised

Testing early morning, ideally before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

How much T3 are you currently taking

Day before test….Did you split T3 dose into 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day and last dose 8-12 hours before test

I have been tested for all vitamins and they are fine,

Please add actual results and ranges

Only biotin affects (some lab) test results

Biotin is used in some lab equipment

[jojomac23]

Does Vitamin B1, B 2, B6 , B12 affect the test

[jojomac23]

I took the test at 9.30am before any foodI took thyroxine 24 hours before

I didn't take t3 the day before

I only take a very small amount of 5mcg

I stopped all vitamin b for about week , I don't take biotin

Thanks