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[J_1974]

Serum TSH <0.01 mlU/L. Ranges 0.27-4.20.

Serum T4 15.3pmol/L. Ranges 12-22

My GP has convince me to lower the T3 and she has lower the T4. Now I'm on 50mg T4 and T3.

I was taking T3 50 in morning. 25 night. And 150 T4 at night. I started to lose weight, my BP was back in good range and I felt less achy and overall there was a massive improvement. Before you say that's too much, I have done more than this with my Endo approval.

I have no thyroid.

Thoughts good or bad will be respected.

[Lalatoot]

J there is no ft3 result there. When you take t3, ft3 always needs to be tested otherwise you are not looking at all the relevant information. It would be wrong to suggest dose changes without knowing an FT3 result from the same bloods.

[J_1974 in reply to Lalatoot]

This is the NHS so I'm not sure if GP can request it without me having a consultant. But I retest in a month so I will definitely ask for this if possible.

[greygoose]

I suspect your GP has only been looking at the TSH, which is all wrong. When taking T3 your TSH is bound to be suppressed, but it doesn't matter. She has massively reduced your dose, so I imagine you're feeling pretty bad, aren't you? Hope she didn't make those reductions all in one go!

[J_1974 in reply to greygoose]

Yes it's all in one go and she only told me yesterday. However if I'm feeling bad again I'll have to ignore her, pay for my own test.

[greygoose in reply to J_1974]

It might be a good idea to inform your 'doctor' that levo should only be reduced by a maximum of 25 mcg every six weeks, T3 by 5 mcg every two weeks, but never, ever both together. That's going to be a terrible shock to your system, not because of reducing your dose per se, but because of reducing it by so much in one go.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Can you see a private endocrinologist

GP should never reduce levothyroxine from 150mcg to 50mcg in one go

Maximum dose reduction should be 25mcg at any one time…..even that can be extremely traumatic

Just testing TSH and Ft4 is utterly inadequate

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine or T3

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested.

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with dose reduction in levothyroxine or T3

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 3 smaller doses, spread through the day at approx 8 hour intervals, taking last 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...

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/

[J_1974 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you very much. You have given lots to digest and research. My vitamin D is usually low. I'm not sure it was checked this time. I'll have a look. I will speak to my GP using the info you have given. She will listen in not sure she will agree.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to J_1974]

So you need to manage this yourself

Get all four vitamins tested annually

Supplementing to maintain OPTIMAL vitamin levels

How low was vitamin D at last test

If not on high enough dose replacement thyroid hormones, we tend to have low stomach acid, this leads to poor nutrient absorption and low vitamin levels as direct result

Low vitamins levels tend to result in poor conversion of Ft4 to Ft3……this results in higher Ft4 in relation to Ft3 and lower TSH

Optimal vitamin levels are

Vitamin D at least around 80nmol and around 100nmol maybe better

Serum B12 at least over 500

Active B12 at least over 70

Folate and ferritin at least half way through range

Come back with new post once you get results

[J_1974 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you I will.

[Lovecake]

Hi, had a blood test at GP surgery this week. My GP always asks for FT3 as I take some T3. My previous surgery (different area) did the same. I always double check when they say I need a test and always ask the nurse if it’s on the list - just in case.

[J_1974 in reply to Lovecake]

Thank you. Will have a good talk with my GP about it. They use to before because they prescribed it. I'm not sure since I have gone rogue.