I had my TFT results today and I’m surprised considering how bad I feel (terrible brain fog, can’t concentrate, can’t retain information, sluggish, fatigue to the point I will fall asleep in the afternoon, weight gain). I currently take Levothyroxine 125 mcgs and Liothyronine 10 mcgs. I had my blood test at 9.25am and did not take any medication before, which surprises me why the results are so high (I take my medication at 6.10 am each day). My results are:
Foggy73, your TSH is suppressed because you are taking Liothyronine, so is nothing to worry about. There is definitely room for an increase in medication. You should only be concerned if your FT3/ FT4 is over range. Did you test key thyroid vitamins? Having folate, ferritin, Vit D and B12 optimal is so important, but please don’t supplement without testing first.
Thank you for your response. My GP has sent me a message to repeat TFT in 3 months time. I’m concerned that he will just say that the results are within normal range (like he normally says) and I have to battle ti get any increases. I didn’t hdd as if my vitamins find this time. I think I will try and speak to my GP about my symptoms and see if he will let me increase something before my next blood test.
Thank you for your reply. I will speak to my GP s as no see if I can get an increase. However, I always have a battle with my results as as long as they are in range the GP’s are happy with them! I think my argument will be that there is a range for a reason, as I may feel better at the top end for T3 and T4 and some people may feel well lower end.
The important point is that your result should not only be in range but essentially that it sits on the exact point within the range where you feel well.
Your symptoms must also be considered.
The following should provide an arguement for an increase
The range IS there for a reason - on point! I had to explain this to a few GPs at my local surgery. They would say you are ‘in range’ and I would say but symptomatic and there is room in the range to accommodate another dose increase. I’ve written by bio as a bit of a road map for others and posted my results spreadsheet, my reports that I submitted to GP and factors that I think contributed to me getting on a full replacement dose. Hard copy being a significant one. 😉Clicking on my face will take you to my profile and all the posts if you want a look
I had Vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 in April and all in range.
I only take Adcal (Vitamin D and Calcium) prescribed.
Why is it best to split the Liothyronine dose before a blood test and have half 8 - 12 hours before the test rathed than 24 hours before like Levothyroxine?
Why is it best to split the Liothyronine dose before a blood test and have half 8 - 12 hours before the test rathed than 24 hours before like Levothyroxine
because T3 is short lived in blood and you get false low Ft3 result if last dose is longer than 12 hours before test
If a patient reports persistent symptoms when switching between different levothyroxine tablet formulations, consider consistently prescribing a specific product known to be well tolerated by the patient.
If symptoms or poor control of thyroid function persist (despite adhering to a specific product), consider prescribing levothyroxine in an oral solution formulation.
Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).
Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after
Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime
No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.
Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away
(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)
If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
Similarly if normally splitting your levothyroxine, take whole daily dose 24 hours before test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
You for this. Can I still take my Liothyronine at the same time as Levothyroxine? I take them together first thing in the morning. I don’t take the Adcal until at least 4 hours afterwards.
High percentage of Hashimoto’s patients find gluten free and/or dairy free diet helps, often significantly or is absolutely essential
ALWAYS worth trying
Suggest you get coeliac blood test done first BEFORE considering cutting gluten out
approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)
Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported
In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned
Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.
similarly……trying dairy free diet…..perhaps 6-12 months time
I have just spoke to my GP and he has told me to increase my Liothyronine from 10mcgs to 20mcgs. I’m now worried as my T3 result was 5.0 pmol/L (Range 3.1 - 6.8) after not taking it for 24 hours so will it push me over increasing it?
Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
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Advice on hypothyroidism test results. 
Blood test results - advice please.
Advice needed on test results.
Blood tests results advice please... 
Blood test results - advice please
