Confused with TFT results when taking T3

[Thyroidsam]

Hi all,

It's been a good couple of months since I last posted as I've been patiently waiting to do my next TFT.

I'm confused as to why my TSH is still high when I'm taking T3 and i'm not sure what to do next? I thought T3 suppressed TSH levels??

I feel a lot better than I did back in Dec/Jan mood wise etc. However, i'm still feeling tired, have bags under my eyes and various other symptoms which I associate with being underactive that seem to come and go over days /weeks. For example I felt quite symptomatic for 3/4 days last week.

Background reminder, I had RAI back in Feb 2019 then came off block and replace in Sep 20. Since then I had been on levo only and seemed to be unable to feel well (always high FT4 but low T3). After joining this forum I learned a lot and started again with regards to how and when I tested etc.

Since my TFT in Dec (this was purely to get a baseline of vitamin levels) I've been taking Vit D, folate & B12 daily. Unfortunately Thriva didn't have enough blood to test my folate this time around so i'll have to do it again...

FYI - the TFT in Feb was purely to check and see if the T3 tablets were real.

What next??

[SlowDragon Administrator]

It’s trial and error what dose levothyroxine and what dose T3 we need

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

Ft3 is good, but your Ft4 is low

Suggest you experiment with increasing levothyroxine dose a little up to 87.5mcg …..cutting a 25mcg tablet in half

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

[Thyroidsam in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon,

I take Wockhardt 25mg (so x3 tabs daily). That was one of the first things I did after joining the forum was to be prescribed the same brand consistently.

Is it unusual for TSH to not be suppressed by T3? or does it just mean that my body still thinks it's not getting enough T3?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Thyroidsam]

It is unusual……but at least it means medics not trying to reduce dose

Presumably your T3 is Timorel and self sourced as it’s 25mcg tablets

Ft3 is significantly improved so it’s obvious genuine T3

[Thyroidsam in reply to SlowDragon]

Correct, self sourced Timorel. That's why I did a TFT after taking it for 2 weeks, just to confirm it was genuine and I wasn't wasting weeks to find out.

I'll increase my levo to 87.5mcg daily and in the meantime, check my folate and advanced iron profile.

To be well again....!