Updated bloods

[johndoe49]

Hi All

Hope you're all well,

So i have had my most recent bloods done, but still no antibodies test. I have found my ranges and there are as follows:

TSH 3.18 Range 0.38-5.33

T4 8.9 Range 7.9-20

T3 5.8 Range 4-6.6

Since my last bloods i have taken 5mg Carb every other day and Endo says to carry on.

Is this all ok? And what private testing companies would you recommend?

Thank you

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Your FT4 is quite low but FT3 disproportionately higher in range.

Your endocrinologist is satisfied as the results are in range. 

 Most feel well with TSH near 1 but TSH is unreliable, it’s FT4 & FT3 you need to focus on.

5mg carbimazole considered lowest dose a maintenance dose to keep you stable.  

You were started on a low 10mg and that is unusually low for typical Graves. 

Doctors should really be establishing cause of thyroid dysfunction.  Push for thyroid antibody test results.

I was started on carbimazole & antibodies were negative an uptake scan confirmed a hyper nodule.

Others were assumed to have Graves continuous hyper but later find they have Hashimoto’s & carbimazole accelerates hypothyroid levels.  

What are you looking to test?

Medichecks does a TRab test.

[johndoe49 in reply to PurpleNails]

Hi Purple

Thanks for the reply, yes the Endo says its all normal and has suggested 5mg Carb every other day but after being on this forum i have learnt there is a massive difference between normal and optimal. Is there anything i can ascertain from the T4 & T3? Is 5mg Carb every other day even worth it?

Im looking to test for the antibodies.

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to johndoe49]

5mg even every other day will have a affect.

There’s a lot a research showing remaining longer term help keeps think stable & can prevent levels “taking off” again.   

Starting & stopping carbimazole is best avoided, as re-starting carbimazole seems to have a risk which is lessened if taken continuously. 

 If I find my reference about this I’ll add it but haven’t got at hand right now. 

This the Medichecks test for Graves associated antibodies 

medichecks.com/products/tsh...

This is for TRab (which measures blocking, neutral & stimulating antibodies affecting TSH receptors) The title refers to “stimulating” which is misleading TSI (Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulin) test for stimulating only.

(Both are bio markers for Graves) 

This is more expensive test & also must be venous draw - (can’t be by finger prick unfortunately) so will work out expensive. - Might want to pursue with doctor first.  

Advance thyroid test will test include TPO & TG antibodies. and key nutrients.

List of companies offering different options, some discount codes available.

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

[johndoe49 in reply to PurpleNails]

So would it better to take 2.5mg a day as opposed to 5mg every other?

Is the low T4 a sign of the Carb working too much?

Just checked the Medichecks and the nearest available clinic is 60 miles away (just my luck), will pursue with GP and ask for it specifically. Medichecks has the advanced one reduced at the moment so may start with 1 of them. It may help me understand a little better why my levels reduced so much in a short time on a relatively low dose of Carb.

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to johndoe49]

I’m on fairly low dose of carbimazole & have split pills but I have stable elevated levels that need slight fine tuning.  

Carbimazole are supposed to be taken whole but it didn’t cause a problem for me.  

Taking every other day should be fine as it will be allowing a longer gap to allow new hormones to be made.

Looking at TSH & FT4 it does look like carbimazole is causing too low a level but the risk of stopping is that the FT3 which higher in range rises above range.    

Dominant FT3 can occur in 15% of hyper Graves & is also seen with toxic nodules. 

I’m wondering if low FT4 & high TSH is causing high priority of conversion as this can be seen with low thyroid. 

Is there option to have phlebotomist visit home for blood draw? As thyroid antibodies will help you learn what your dealing with.

[johndoe49 in reply to PurpleNails]

Yes i have just noticed an in house visit so will opt for that. I thought about splitting the tablets but they are so small i don't know if i could. I will start taking them every other day and see how i get on. With regards to the conversion i would say that the way i feel now is more hypo then hyper so it would make sense.

[pennyannie in reply to johndoe49]

Can I just jump in there - as Medichecks do offer a nurse home visit service - so it's worth asking if this available where you live - there is a surcharge - but much less stressful than driving around when not well.

I would have thought by now the antibody blood tests would be through as these can be run from the initial blood test, might be just worth checking with the doctor again, unless of course you have online access.

[johndoe49]

Hi Penny

Yes i have just seen that there is a home visit service so i think i will opt for that. Co-incidentally i have just had an intolerance test come back which included vitamins and minerals and it showed i am low on folate ( i do have a quarterly b12 injection and the sample was taken 2 days before the injection was due so i half expected that) and also low on something called chromium.

The endo said that the antibodies still havnt been tested and they would see if there was enough sample left.