What is Triiodothyronine, Free?: Hello wonderful... - Thyroid UK

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What is Triiodothyronine, Free?

sunsetssr profile image
11 Replies

Hello wonderful group. I need your help to interpret my recent results and need your help understanding the result of Triiodothyronine free. Thanks for your help

Component Your Value Standard Range Flag

Triiodothyronine, Free 2.8 pg/mL 2.5 - 4.3 pg

Component Your Value Standard Range Flag

TSH 0.03 uIU 0.27 - 4.20 uIU/mL

Component Your Value Standard Range Flag

T3 Total 1.0 ng/mL 0.8 - 2.0 ng/mL

Free T4 1.31 ng/dL. 0.93 - 1.70 ng/dL

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sunsetssr
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11 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

What is Triiodothyronine, Free?

That is the Free T3 test (FT3). Yours is very low in range.

What thyroid meds do you take?

sunsetssr profile image
sunsetssr in reply toSeasideSusie

Thanks for answering my question. I take Levothyroxine 75 mcg(I divid it for 2 doses) and Levothyronine 5mcg twice a day(total 10mcg/day). The pharma Co. is Mylan for Levothyroxine and TV/1L for levothyronine. I live in America/California, unfortunately my insurance Co. switched my medications from TIVA to these 2 Companies. Do I need higher dose of T3? I'm a little concern about increase of blood sugar as a side effect. Thanks again

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply tosunsetssr

sunsetssr

Do I need higher dose of T3?

Triiodothyronine, Free 2.8 pg/mL 2.5 - 4.3 pg

Free T4 1.31 ng/dL. 0.93 - 1.70 ng/dL

Your FT3 is 16.67% through range.

Your FT4 is 49.35% through range

[Calculator here: thyroid.dopiaza.org/ ]

When on combination thyroid hormone replacement it's usual to see either a lower FT4 with FT3 in the upper half of it's range, or FT4 and FT3 fairly well balanced over half way through range, if that is where you feel well.

So, how do you feel with your results like this on your current dose of meds?

BUT an important question is when did you take your last doses before the test, this tells us if your results are accurate.

Last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before the test.

Last dose of T3 should be 8-12 hours before the test, splitting dose the day before into two doses.

I'm a little concern about increase of blood sugar as a side effect.

I haven't researched this but have read that if you have high blood sugar (diabetes), T3 may sometimes raise blood sugar and treatment with a large dose of T3 have been shown to increase plasma glucose levels.

So this is something that if it concerns you then you will need to look into it and discuss with your doctor.

sunsetssr profile image
sunsetssr in reply toSeasideSusie

I cannot thank you enough for your replay and expertise

-I'm feeling much,much better now than when I was feeling with Levothyroxine as a single medication for 30 years.

-I follow the instrctions very carefully before blood test.

- I'm not diabetic but from a diabetic family. I call myself pre-diabetic(my last blood sugar test was 99(the maximum of blood sugar normal range).

-Still wondering if increase doese of T3 tablet can be beneficial regardless of the risk/side effects of higher blood sugar?

-Unfortunately as you mentioned in this group, my PCP and endo are out od depth in this area. Thanks again for your time.

terebol profile image
terebol

The Free T3 is the thyroid hormone that is biologically available for your body to use. Command central for the body. From T4, one ion is stripped away & voile, T3 and Free is what is ready to use. I was on levo for 20 yrs, never felt great (but was younger!!), then I learned about NDT - game changer for me. RLC labs pulled their Naturethroid off so I went the synthetic route thinking it would be for short term. 2yrs. later & I have made the switch back to NDT - am feeling a whole lot better. Lab values are great tools, but as was mentioned, it is how you feel. I swore to NEVER see an endo, but relented. After he looked at my #s and said they look pretty good - which they did - he asked how I felt; good sign My gp is immersing herself in thyroid issues from all that I have learned over the years. It seems the thyroid patients in UK experience the same issues w/their drs. as we do on this other side of the pond. NDT not covered by most insurances, but goodrx.com offers reasonable $

sunsetssr profile image
sunsetssr in reply toterebol

I'm in the same situation. No desire to see the rude endo, but my PCP is trying to protect her license and asking me to go to see the endo because it is beyond her training. I'll research availability of NDT in America and coverage thru insurance or if I can offord it privately! Unfortunately I still feel anoxiety 3-4 hrs after my thyroid medications( although I have divided them 2 smaller doses) so I'm hoping NDT might be a relief.The question is with the recent result, can or should I increase my T3 med. safely?Thanks for your reply.

terebol profile image
terebol in reply tosunsetssr

When it comes down to it, some people (me) can't do the synthetics. I switched over to NP thyroid. I just got a 6mo. refill & paid $54 via goodrx.com Armour is expensive, even through goodrx, I believe it is $30/month. I can get the Nature-throid compounded, but...Maybe you will find an open-minded endo. My dr. recommended, but not until I met a nurse (socially) who told me how open he was did I go. I'm glad I did. My labs -6 wks ago- Ft4 1.0 & FT3 4.1 90mg NP & 6mg lio I dropped the lio & feel better- still titrating

sunsetssr profile image
sunsetssr in reply toterebol

Thanks for your tiume and valuable fee back.

terebol profile image
terebol in reply tosunsetssr

You are welcome thank heavens for these educational sites.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

A general comment (of despair at doctors and laboratories):

Why do they switch between "Triiodothyronine" and "T3"?

Why do they switch between putting "Free" (or "Total") before or after T3 or T4?

Triiodothyronine, Free

T3 Total

Free T4

Are they actually positively trying to confuse? Consistency would be so much simpler. (Bear in mind, someone, somewhere must have decided to do this!)

sunsetssr profile image
sunsetssr in reply tohelvella

Thank you for your good insight. My simple answer is PCP(according to her confession/All these, are against my training). Last blood test she forgot to order Ft3, and I was persistent to get it this time. I totally agree with your statement (Bear in mind, someone, somewhere must have decided to do this!). So sad, but as long as I can get my T3 medication I keep quiet and compliant. You guys my rock and I am so grateful I have good support to learn about my condition management from a knowledgeable source.

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