See saw out of balance

[Lumpymom]

Hi there

I work on the basis one high one low, with tsh being low (for me, near 0.5) and t4, free t4 being high. Recently tsh was creeping up , but as t4 t3 ft3 were higher gp advised reducing thyroxine. I’m feeling tired and weight is creeping up

Tsh, free t4, total t3, free t3

August 1.3, 17, 1.2, 3.7

Jan 1.2, 24, 3.9

June 1.8, 20, 1.2, 3.8

Any suggestions?

My feel good ratings are tsh 0.5, free t3 4 free t4 being above 20 freaked gp it’s usually tsh low, free t3 ok, t4 high but tsh and t4 being high suggests something not right to me I’ve got appt on 29th June

[tattybogle]

What is lab range for those fT4 tests ?

did you reduce levo after Jan test ? or keep to same dose .

[Lumpymom in reply to tattybogle]

Hi there lab range for ft4 is 9-21. I reduced dose in January but was there in august because I was tired.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You need to test vitamin levels as well especially as gluten intolerant (coeliac?)

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

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

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

[Lumpymom in reply to SlowDragon]

I think I’m good, I take high dose b12, vit d, folate, it’s just the thyroid numbers which are puzzling me. Usually one goes up the other goes down but for them both to be on the up is puzzling me. Usually I’d up dose of tsh was riding but with higher t4 gp isn’t having it.

[greygoose]

tsh and t4 being high suggests something not right to me

It suggests poor conversion of T4 to T3.

June

TSH 1.8

FT4 20 (9 - 21)

FT3 3.8

Your FT4 is right at the top of the range, and - presumably - your FT3 is right at the bottom (please, always give ranges because they vary from lab to lab). They should be more or less at the same percentage through the range if the conversion is good.

By the way, sorry, but that is an awful way to lay out results! Difficult for foggy brains to make sense of, and we're all hypo here, to a greater or lesser degree. Much clearer the way I've done it above.

[Lumpymom in reply to greygoose]

Thank you. Probably foggy here and had the numbers on my device as well as typing question on it. I’ll try again;

August

Tsh (0.2-4.5) = 1.3

Free T4 (9-21) =17

Total t3(0.9-2.4) =1.2

Tree T3 (2.6-6) = 3.7

January

Tsh (0.2-4.5)= 1.2

Free T4 (9-21) = 24

Total t3 (0.9-2.4) not taken

Free t3. (2.6-6)= 3.9

June

Tsh (0.2-4.5) =1.8

Free T4 (9-21) = 20

Total t3 (0.9-2.4)=1.2

Free t3 (2.6-6) =3.8

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Lumpymom]

June results

FT4: 20 pmol/l (Range 9 - 21)

Ft4 91.67% through range

FT3: 3.8 pmol/l (Range 2.6 - 6)

Ft3 only 35.29% through range

All tests done early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test?

Shows poor conversion

Common if vitamins are not optimal

Common with Hashimoto’s and gluten intolerance

Likely to need slight reduction in levothyroxine and addition of T3 prescribed alongside levothyroxine

Vitamins

When were levels last tested

I think I’m good, I take high dose b12, vit d, folate,

Rather than just taking folate, recommended to be taking a daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in ….not folic acid

If B12 is over 500 you won’t need separate B12 as well

How much vitamin D and which brand

Important to test vitamin levels at least once a year

Are you also taking magnesium supplements

[greygoose in reply to Lumpymom]

Well, all those results show poor conversion. BTW, Total T3 isn't a helpful test. It doesn't give much useful information and is not worth doing.

[Lumpymom in reply to greygoose]

Agreed re total t3 they just do it. I have to insist on free t3 every time.

[greygoose in reply to Lumpymom]

Oh well, at least you manage to get FT3, which is more than many people get.