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[Sparklingsunshine]

Hi

I posted recently about my latest NHS thyroid results and whether I should increase Levo as my FT4 has dropped to 14,but no one replied. I'm not contagious, honest, but I'm far from feeling my best so some replies are most welcome.

[Lalatoot]

Sparkling No one has replied because we don't know. Your TSH is low suggesting you don't need any more levo but your ft4 is low in range. Ft3 is the result that would make sense of the other two but that wasn't tested.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Lalatoot]

Hi thanks for reply, I've seen advice that it's the thyroid hormones that are important, TSH isn't really that relevant once on Levo. I'm guessing FT3 is likely to be lowish as well? My FT4 has dropped since it was last tested in December from 17.1 despite the doseage being the same. Very odd.

[Lalatoot in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Yes it is ft4 and ft3 that are important but as you don't have ft3 then you have to go on what you have.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Sparklingsunshine

If you can't get FT3 tested with GP then you might want to consider doing what hundreds of us here do and that is a private test with one of our recommended labs.

If just TSH, FT4 and FT3 are needed the cheapest option is Monitor My Health who offer this as a fingerprick test for £26.10 with discount - details here:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

If you want thyroid antibodies and/or vitamins as well you'd be looking at Medichecks or Blue Horizon.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi

Yes I've used MMH before for thyroid. I tried to test in April but couldn't get enough blood out. Wasn't planning on testing again just yet but the NHS rather sprung it on me. Could my dire folate level be responsible for my low FT4?

I don't understand why it's dropped so much since December? I even increased Levo from February till April to 150mcg. Then I dropped it back as I started to get symptoms of what I thought was overmedication but I'm not even sure it was that now. Very confused.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Sparklingsunshine

Could my dire folate level be responsible for my low FT4?

I don't know to be honest. When my folate was low - 6.9 (4.6-18.7) my FT4 was 29.27 (12-22) so it didn't apply in my case.

[TeeDee63 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Hello sparkling, I don’t know about your levels as I’m a beginner, but I’d like you to know that I too couldn’t get enough blood out for my private test. I paid £30 to Medichecks to have blood drawn locally, so maybe this could be an option for you in future. I hope you feel better soon

T xx

[shaws in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

If you are going to have blood drawn, ensure that you have swallowed more water than usual a day or so before . The following link might be helpful:

northbay.org/blog/your-well...

[Yeswithasmile]

Can I just say that I have helped a few of my friends get blood from a finger prick test now - some may call me sadistic 🤣 but in all cases once you release the spring loaded lance thing if you then jab it right in (till they go ‘ow’ - I promise I gain no pleasure here!) the blood flows fairly freely and in all cases it has been a problem solved. Just thought I’d mention it 😊

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to Yeswithasmile]

Hi

I've never had any joy with finger prick. I've now resorted to DIY phlebotomy. I follow the tips but it's never worked out. My son was a HCA for a number of years and was good at helping diabetic patients with monitoring their blood glucose levels on the ward. Sadly he's now moved out 🤣

[helvella Administrator]

Sparklingsunshine,

I have turned off replying on your two recent and unanswered posts.

This is solely to ensure that all replies are on this, the latest, thread and don't get split across three threads.

(We have seen this happen all too often in the past.)

I have included a link to this thread which is active,