T 3 question

[Madge72]

my T4 result 6.4pmol/L (10.0-20.0) my TSH

<0.01mU/L (0.35-5.5mU/L

I am taking 25 levothyroxine and 50mg Tiramel

Don't know what to do Drs wont help.

I would appreciate some advice

Tha ks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

was test done early morning, ideally around 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

How do you normally take your T3?

Do you split as 3 smaller doses spread through the day?

50mcg dose T3 is large dose

When did you last test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3

Day before test you need to ALWAYS split dose …..taking last third of daily dose approx 8-12 hours before test

ESSENTIAL to test TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together when taking T3 ……plus test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once a year

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

There’s nothing on your profile

Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease, also called Hashimoto’s, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

How much levothyroxine were you taking BEFORE adding T3

What were thyroid results on this dose

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

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...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then 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/

[Madge72 in reply to SlowDragon]

yes 8-45am test take t3 in 1 go in morning ...calcium vitamin...not got hashimos...taking levo 50 mg before

Still on high side...when i went gluten free it was worse...same brand of levo...didnt split t3 yesterday

Doctor just advised me to come off Levo

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Madge72]

Recommend you get full thyroid and vitamin testing done

Splitting T3 as outlined day before test

Come back with new post once you get results

[Madge72 in reply to SlowDragon]

is this useful

Ok

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Madge72]

no …you need

TSH, Ft4 and Ft3

Both thyroid antibodies….if not tested previously

Vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 results

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Take large dose T3 as one dose will totally suppress your own thyroid

ESSENTIAL to split T3 as 3 doses spread through the day on day before test…..otherwise you will get falsely low Ft3 result

[Madge72 in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you...should i split my dose to twice a day

In the morning and at bedtime?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Madge72]

day before test…..splitting T3 into 3 doses

25mcg waking, 12.5mcg mid afternoon….12.5mcg 8.30pm assuming testing 8.30am following morning

last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Need to stop any supplements that contain biotin 5-7 days before test as biotin can falsely affect test results

If testing iron and ferritin, and taking iron supplements, stop iron supplement a week before test

[Madge72 in reply to SlowDragon]

I take calcium vitamins only

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Madge72]

was calcium low when last tested?

low vitamin D tends to lower calcium

Any calcium supplements should be at least 4 hours away from levothyroxine

[Madge72 in reply to SlowDragon]

yes i do take them 4/5 hrs later....i have thinning bones i think through not being on the correct medication

[Madge72 in reply to SlowDragon]

how do i take my own blood? Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Madge72]

most people do test by DIY finger prick test

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Alternatively for an extra fee Medichecks or Blue horizon have large list of private clinics or even Superdrug chemist, where you can get private blood draw

Or, more expensive, via Medichecks or Blue horizon, book a nurse for home visit. Make sure they are booked for 9am on a Monday or Tuesday morning

[Madge72 in reply to SlowDragon]

on a finger test ...would you put blood, on a lint pad ?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Madge72]

no ….you fill a test tube …..it’s about 12 drops

Watch the video in the link I gave you

[Madge72 in reply to SlowDragon]

Can you please advice me on my test I take50mg Levo and 18 3/4 T3 I am struggling with weight and hair thinning.i can send more results thank you

Normal

[Madge72 in reply to SlowDragon]

Can you please help me with my thyroid reading.I had a medichecks test everything fine only thyroid test not good this is on June 28th

TSH...0.055....mIu/L......0.27-4.2r

FT4...5.2..PMOI/L......12-22r

FT3....4.9..PMOI/L....3.1-6.8r

My Dr took me off Levothyroxine 7 weeks ago

I have had a test done today in Spain but I can't read it

Can you please advise me as what to do,,I am taking

37.50mg T3..I still have low metabolism and can't lose any weight.My readings today

T3..3.26....pg/ml......1.4-3.5 pg/ml

T4...*<0.4 ..ng/dL.......0.70-1.48 ng/dL

TSH ..*0.02...uUI/mL......0.35-4.94 uUl/mL

Thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Madge72

I would appreciate some advice

How can we help you? You haven't said how you feel.

Does your GP know you're taking T3, it's obviously self sourced and not on prescription.

How did you end up on such a high dose of T3 and such a low dose of Levo?

You absolutely must test FT3 as well as TSH and FT4 when taking T3, even if you have to pay for a private thyroid panel.

[Madge72 in reply to SeasideSusie]

is this usefull

Ok

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Madge72]

madge72

MCV is bottom of range, MCH is below range, I would ask for a full iron panel to see if it suggests iron deficiency. Your full blood count doesn't suggest anaemia but you can have iron deficiency with or without anaemia. Iron deficiency or even just low Ferritin can cause hair loss.

Why does your GP want you to stop Levo? Your very low FT4 is a hypothyroid result and probably causing your symptoms.

[Madge72 in reply to SeasideSusie]

thinks my levo is overdosed

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Madge72]

So he is wrongly adjusting dose by TSH which is not a thyroid hormone, it's a pituitary hormone. The thyroid hormones are T4 and T3 and testing FT4 and FT3 show our thyroid status. Your FT4 is way below range confirming that you have so little T4 that you are hypothyroid, your TSH isn't reflecting this.

[Madge72 in reply to SeasideSusie]

ok...Should i continue taking Levo?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Madge72]

In my opinion, yes.

[Madge72 in reply to SeasideSusie]

will do....

[Madge72 in reply to Madge72]

if i am supressed,how do i treat it ?

[Madge72 in reply to Madge72]

hello again..after your advice i have changed my dosage .Will 2 weeks be long enough before i have a test or do i need longer. Thanks

[Madge72 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Can you please advice me on my test l take 50 mg Levo and 18 3/4 T3.....struggling with weight....and thinning hair here are my results

Normal

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Madge72]

Madge72

TSH: 0.01 (0.27-4.20)

FT4: 11.6 (12-22)

FT3: 6.88 (3.1-6.8)

When did you take your last doses of Levo and T3 before this test. For a measure of normal amount of circulating hormone last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before test and last dose of T3 should be 8-12 hours before test.

If you left these timings then you are undermedicated with Levo and overmedicated with T3 which suggests you need more Levo and less T3. The first thing to do would be to reduce your T3 by 1/4 tablet, leave a couple of weeks then add in 25mcg extra Levo. Retest 6-8 weeks later to decide on next step.

Folate: 3.09 (3.89-19.45)

A folate level of less than 3 indicates folate deficiency. Your level is so close to that that I would suggest discussing with your GP to see if he will prescribe folic acid. Come back and tell us what he says.

Active B12: 74.5

This ideally should be over 100, but you can help this with a B12 sublingual supplement, but I'd sort out the folate first.

Vit D is good.

CRP is over range indicating inflammation somewhere. This is a non-specific inflammation marker so can't tell you where the inflammation is.

Ferritin is low at 49 (13-150) and ideally would be half way through range or slightly higher at around 90-110ug/L which is said to be the ideal level for thyroid function. However, ferritin rises with inflammation and as your CRP is showing inflammation then it is quite likely that your true ferritin level is even lower. Discuss with GP to see if he will consider iron tablets. Come back and let us know what he says.

[Madge72 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I didn't take any levo on the day and and did 3 sessions with T3 day before.l won't have time to see Dr I go on holiday Tuesday I can buy some what dose will I need? And visit Dr next year.Also can you help me with b12 on what dose I need . Thank you so much for your help

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Madge72]

Madge72

You need an extra 25mcg Levo at this stage so just buy whatever you can, if you can only get 50mcg then you'll have to cut it in half.

Ideally you should get your folate sorted before starting the B12 but when the time is right you could take 1,000mcg sublingual B12 and a good quality bioavailable B Complex will also be needed to keep all B vitamins in balance.

[Madge72 in reply to SeasideSusie]

What about folic acid?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Madge72]

What about folic acid?

I have suggested that as your level is so close to "deficiency" then you should discuss with your GP. If he decides it needs prescribed treatment this will be at a much higher dose than you would self supplement with and he would recheck your level after a set period of time.

[Madge72 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi l have spoken to a Dr today she has given me all vitamins....but wants me to reduce levo I have explained so I have sent all my results through I am taking your advice

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Madge72]

Madge72

Reducing Levo when your FT4 is below range is a preposterous idea. It would seem that your GP knows absolutely nothing about treating hypothyroidism.

[Madge72 in reply to SeasideSusie]

No wonder I never feel right

[Madge72 in reply to Madge72]

I got 332 ferritin and 25 folic acid can you recommend what dose for B12 Thanks

[Madge72 in reply to Madge72]

Hi Here is my vitamin results

B12....376ng/L

(211.0-911.0

Serum iron level

17.4 /L

(9.0-30.0 /umoi/L

Serum Transferrin Level

3.00gl (2.5-3.8)

Red blood count count

4.68 (3.8-5.8

Serum B12 376ng/

L

(211.0 -

911.0

Serum folate Level

22.1 ug/L(<4.0)

I am waiting for my thyroid result.

Doctors don't want to know.

I hope you can advice me

And thank you for all your help.

Madge

[Madge72 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hello can you please help me with my new results

I am taking 1000 sublingual Lindens B12

Thornes Basic B Complex

75 levothyroxine

6 1/4 cynomel T3

CRP HS 0.64mg/L 0-5

Ferritin 33.7ug/L ..13-150

Folate Serum..25.12uh/L

<3.89

Vitamin B12 Active...106pmol/L..37.5-150

Vitamin D...116nmol/L

50-200

Tsh...0.02mu/L...0.27-4.2

Free T3...4.94pmol/L

3.1-6.8

Three Thyroxine...19.2pmol/L

12-22

Thyroglobulin Antibodies

22Iu/mL

Thyroid peroxidase Antibobies

<9Iu/mL.....<34

I have just finished 3 months of prescription

Ferritin and folic acid

My hair is very thin and brittle...can't get my metabolism going.I really appreciate your help

Thank you

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Madge72]

Madge72

CRP HS 0.64mg/L 0-5

A good result, shows no inflammation.

Ferritin 33.7ug/L ..13-150

Considering you've just had 3 months prescribed iron then this is a poor result and might need the prescription continuing. However, your GP should do a full iron panel to check

Serum iron

Saturation percentage

Total iron binding capacity

Ferritin

This is because if your serum iron and saturation are already high then taking iron tablets will cause them to go higher and too much iron is as bad as too little. If this is the case you'd try to increase ferritin level through diet with liver, pate, etc.

Your low ferritin is likely to be the cause of your thin hair or you may have iron deficiency (which the full iron panel would show)

Symptoms of low ferritin include:

◾Weakness

◾Fatigue

◾Difficulty concentrating

◾Poor work productivity

◾Cold hands and feet

◾Poor short-term memory

◾Difficulty remembering names

◾Dizziness

◾Pounding in the ears

◾Shortness of breath

◾Brittle nails

◾Headaches

◾Restless legs

Symptoms of iron deficiency:

◾Persistent fatigue

◾Pale skin

◾Shortness of breath

◾Headaches

◾Dizziness

◾Heart palpitations

◾Dry skin

◾Brittle hair and hair loss

◾Swelling or soreness of the tongue or mouth

◾Restless legs

◾Brittle or ridged nails

Folate Serum..25.12uh/L <3.89 - The range is actually >3.89

This is very good and you could now drop the folic acid and just take a B Complex.

Vitamin B12 Active...106pmol/L..37.5-150

This is good, we suggest 100+ for Active B12. You could drop the separate B12 and just take a B Complex which will hopefully maintain both B12 and folate levels.

Vitamin D...116nmol/L

Are you supplementing? The Vit D Society, Vit D Council and Grassroots Health all recommend a level of 100-150nmol/L with a recent blog post on Grassroots Health recommending at least 125nmol/L. Your level is OK.

Tsh...0.02mu/L...0.27-4.2

Free T3...4.94pmol/L (3.1-6.8)

Three Thyroxine...19.2pmol/L (12-22) - this will be Free thyroxine which is FT4

Taking 75mcg Levo plus 6.25mcg T3.

FT4 = 72% through range

FT3 = 49.73% through range

When on combination thyroid hormone replacement it's very individual where we need our individual hormone levels. Some are fine with a low FT4 as long as FT3 is in the upper part of it's range, others need both FT4 and FT3 fairly well balanced. Your results would not suit me (I'm on combo meds), I would need FT3 around 70% through range and FT4 not far behind percentage wise. If those were my results I would be increasing T3 from 6.25mcg to 12.5mcg then I would retest in 8 weeks to check levels.

Thyroglobulin Antibodies

22Iu/mL

Thyroid peroxidase Antibobies

<9Iu/mL.....<34

Your antibodies are low and don't suggest autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's).

[Madge72 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you so much I will follow your advice

[Madge72 in reply to SeasideSusie]

l don't think I am absorbing food

[Madge72]

my gp knows about t3 but not happy....my gp has just advised to come off Levo for 4 weeks.at the moment still tired...hair coming out...eyebrows thining...weight gain no motabolism..i normally get tested in spain for t3 but not till december.thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Madge72]

most people when on SMALL dose T3 (eg 2 x 5mcg or 3 x 5mcg) find they need BOTH Ft4 and Ft3 at least 70% through range

Obviously your Ft4 is extremely low

But on high dose Ft3 …..first step is to get TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 tested TOGETHER

[HashiFedUp]

Whats your t3? That’s low t4 dose and high t3 dose. Normally it would be the other way around ie I take 75 t4 and just 10 t3.

[Madge72 in reply to HashiFedUp]

I will need a t3 test

[Madge72 in reply to HashiFedUp]

sorry for late reply . Can i ask what brand of t3 you

are using? 1 have upped my Levo and dropped my t3

I am waiting for test.

[HashiFedUp]

I’m currently using the nhs brand of T3 Iraksin. Not sure its helping though. I have a new prescription for Armour NDT so hoping to order that shortly!

[Madge72 in reply to HashiFedUp]

l buy off internet ...Drs dont want to know....l have reduced mine and increased t4.....will have a test in 3wks and send them here..thanksyfor you time .