recent blood tests: I am taking Erfa NDT (125mg... - Thyroid UK

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recent blood tests

TVOReason profile image
9 Replies

I am taking Erfa NDT (125mg) 1 tablet am and half tablet pm

I have just had blood tests with the following results

TSH 0.01 mu/L (0.38 - 5.35)

Free triiodothyronine pmol/L 10.8 (3.8 - 6.2)

Free T4 12.4 pmol/L 7.9 - 14.4

The doctor is going to ring me on Friday afternoon

Can anyone please give me some advice please

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TVOReason
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pennyannie profile image
pennyannie

Hello TVOReason and how do you feel ?

Personally I would need to wait 24 hours before I'd arrange a blood test for my doctor :

The TSH will invariably be suppressed and the T4 proportionately lower than when on T4 monotherapy but the T3 will show proportionately higher.

How much time did you allow between last dose and blood draw and was that the 1 grain or 1/2 grain dose ?

TVOReason profile image
TVOReason in reply topennyannie

I feel terrible the symptoms are many and varied (Levothyroxine wasn’t working for me) that’s why I went onto NDT thinking they would reduce. I first started taking Armour but doctor thought it might be too strong ( bad stomach swelling and pain) and so put me on Erfa since June this year still have bad stomach issues (CT scan and ultrasound didn’t show anything).

1tablet NDT taken 8 am blood test at 1230

pennyannie profile image
pennyannie in reply toTVOReason

Well that will explain your over the range T3 level as you need to leave around a 12 hour window from last dose to blood draw.

I'm sorry you are so unwell - I wonder if you need to consider T3 only as I've just had a quick look back at your previous posts and know there are people who can't tolerate T4 in either synthetic Levothyroxine or the T4 found in Natural Desiccated Thyroid.

TVOReason profile image
TVOReason in reply topennyannie

that’s interesting I hadn’t even thought about that - I’ll see what doctor says on Friday and then get in touch with my thyroid doctor about it all

Thanks so much for your reply I really appreciate it

pennyannie profile image
pennyannie in reply toTVOReason

Well yes, it's another option but just another thought I had was to ask you if you had ever considered or tried liquid T4 as your symptoms seen to be originating more from your stomach and digestion ?

TVOReason profile image
TVOReason in reply topennyannie

no it had never crossed my mind, they are pushing down the road of IBS, but I’m not convinced, thanks for your suggestion I will bear it in mind when I speak to my thyroid doctor. Thanks once again for your thoughts I’ll let you know how I get on

pennyannie profile image
pennyannie in reply toTVOReason

A slowed metabolism, due to hypothyroidism is common and whether with IBS or not, the liquid T4 might be the best first option to try.

Have you had a test to rule out celiac disease ?

Many thyroid sufferers find the research of Dr Izabella Wentz of value and checking for food intolerances a necessity - especially those of gluten, wheat and possibly dairy - thyroidpharmacist.com -

TVOReason profile image
TVOReason in reply topennyannie

I’m not celiac and I’ve done private tests for food intolerances and apart from a couple of things, one being Brazil nuts, nothing substantial showed up.

All the other Blood tests show all normal ( blood count, liver, kidney, crp)

It was interesting about suffering both hypo and hyper symptoms on Dr Wentz site

Thanks again

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toTVOReason

EXTREMELY common to develop gluten intolerance and dairy intolerance when on replacement thyroid hormones

It’s ALWAYS worth trying strictly gluten free diet

And few months later try dairy free diet

Before considering adding T3

First step is to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done after at least 2 months on unchanging dose and brand of replacement thyroid hormone

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

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested too

What are you currently taking thyroid wise

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...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Link about thyroid blood tests

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