advice please, T3: T3 is 9.3 (range 3.9-6.7) On... - Thyroid UK

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advice please, T3

Lilylui profile image
27 Replies

T3 is 9.3 (range 3.9-6.7)

On liothyroine 15 mg twice a day.

Not on levo at the moment.

Tsh has dropped from 97.4 to 35 (range 00.04-4) since May to October

So that’s going right way .

But the nurse said my range of T3 is out why would it be so high ?

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Lilylui profile image
Lilylui
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27 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

How many hours between your last dose of T3 and the blood draw?

Lilylui profile image
Lilylui in reply togreygoose

I took it at 6.30 am and blood taken at 8.30

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toLilylui

Then that's why your FT3 is so high. It's recommended to leave a gap of 8 to 12 hours between the last dose of T3 and the blood draw. Otherwise, all you are testing is the last dose you took, not the normal circulating level of T3.

Lilylui profile image
Lilylui in reply togreygoose

thank you

Thry never told me either but the nurse did put it on the notes.

Would it be this high normally though on that dose of T3?

As it really works for me

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toLilylui

Highly unlikely it would be that high on just 15 mcg had you left a gap of 8 hours.

Lilylui profile image
Lilylui in reply togreygoose

I have 30 mg split between 2 doses

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toLilylui

Even so, taking your last dose 2 hours before the blood draw is going to give you a false high FT3.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLilylui

Day before test split T3 as 3 x 10mcg doses

Approx 8 hours between doses…..waking, mid afternoon and around 9pm

Testing following morning between 8.30-9am

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply toLilylui

I think that the majority of GPs have little knowledge of how best to restore a hypothyroid patient's health.

You will get more sense from many of the members.

Don't take thyroid hormones on the morning of the test allow a 24 hour gap between last dose and fasting test. You can take thyroid hormones after you've had blood drawn.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toshaws

24 hours is for levo. The OP takes T3 mono-therapy.

Lilylui profile image
Lilylui in reply togreygoose

what does OP mean please? Sorry still learning, am just adding levo again now 50 mg every 2 weeks to see if I can tolerate it

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toLilylui

OP = Original Poster. You, in this case. :)

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply togreygoose

I also take T3 and have always left a 24 hour gap when having blood drawn.

I am well and symptom-free and have had no queries by doctors or endos..

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toshaws

Well, you wouldn't get any queries from doctors or endos, would you, because they haven't got a clue what's going on! They don't know how to test. But, obviously, if that's the way you test you test, your FT3 is higher than you think it is, and it's really not a method to be encouraged in other people. It could have serious consequences for some.

Lilylui profile image
Lilylui in reply togreygoose

what’s FT3 (free T3?) what range should it be in and what does it do or not do?

Why would it have serious consequences?

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toLilylui

T3 is the active thyroid hormone - T4 is basically a storage hormone. It does everything. It is needed by every single cell in your body to function correctly.

Lack of T3 causes symptoms because it means that some cells are not functioning correctly, or not functioning at all. But too much T3 can also cause problem, such as heart abnormalities and osteoporosis. But the symptoms of too much and too little T3 can be the same.

So, if someone who is a beginner, say, and doesn't know how to listen to their body and interpret symptoms doesn't test correctly, and therefore thinks their dose is too low, and keeps on increasing the dose of T3, they can end up with far too much T3 in their system. That can cause dire consequences.

So, it's best to test in a way that gives you your normal circulating level of T3, and that knowledge, plus symptoms, will guide you to increase or decrease your dose. Which is why we always advise people to take their last dose of T3 8 - 12 hours before the blood draw. After all, you have to know the rules before you can successfully break them. It's ok for old hands at all this to do things their way, but when you're just starting out on this journey it's best to stick to the rules until you learn how things work.

Ranges for the test of FT3 (Free T3 - i.e. T3 available for the body to use) vary from lab to lab, just like the FT4. But regardless of ranges, which are just rough guides, you need the level that makes you, as an individual, feel well. We're all different so all need our own individual sweet-spot. :)

Lilylui profile image
Lilylui in reply togreygoose

sorry for late reply, I am on 35mg a day split in 2 doses I don’t get to see endro for another 2 months so no blood test, wanted to get one privately but no where less than 2 hrs from me to get blood taken for medicheck

If there is too much in my system how will I know? Tsh still about 35

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toLilylui

Well, TSH isn't a good indicator of thyroid status. If you are taking T3, it's the FT3 level that is most important.

Symptoms are a very individual thing. If I'm over-medicated, the first indication is a slight tremble in my hands. But, other people might have a rapid heart beat, or diarrhea.

Lilylui profile image
Lilylui in reply toshaws

fasting test?

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toLilylui

Not really fasting, just don't have breakfast before and early blood draw. I presume you have your blood draw before 9 am?

Lalatoot profile image
Lalatoot

Lilylui the T3 peaks in your system 2 - 4 hours after a dose. So if you do bloods at that time you are measuring the highest level. However, that is just a brief spike as the rest of the time levels will be lower.

To get an idea of the average level in your blood either get bloods done 8 - 12 hours after your dose.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

So high TSH shows you need increase in dose T3

Typically if on T3 ONLY…..most people would be on something between 40mcg and 60mcg per day

Only increase T3 by 5mcg and wait 6-8 weeks after to retest

ALWAYS Test thyroid levels early morning ideally around 9am

Day before test split T3 into 3 smaller doses spread through the day with last 1/3rd of daily dose approx 8-12 hours before test

Do you always get same brand T3 at each prescription

Meanwhile request vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels are tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Lilylui profile image
Lilylui in reply toSlowDragon

thank you.

I am on the same dose T3 they added the 5 to the 10 and that’s the same brand both Roma but today I added some I purchased off internet and took an extra 3 mg they Tiromel or something like that.

I had my other levels tested in June 2021 they won’t test again I asked, I wanted to do the medicheck one but don’t have anyone to do blood test, it’s very rural where I live

I take D3 with K2, Full B vits, vit C2gram, selenium with vit c and e.

My iron ferritin he said was normal was tested and it was mid range doctor said. Didn’t tell me range

T3 in aug was 2.5

T3 Oct, 9.3

T4 2.8

Crp -3 it used to be way high.

My B12 was over range in May 1900 so doc wanted to cut out my B12 I did for a bit but it’s in my supplements. Can’t have another test thry said till next year.

I also take CoQ10 magnesium and taurine as I have P-AFib

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLilylui

I wanted to do the medicheck one but don’t have anyone to do blood test, it’s very rural where I live

Vast majority of members do DIY finger prick test for Medichecks or Blue horizon

Important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year

ALWAYS private testing of thyroid levels early Monday or Tuesday morning

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Watch out for postal strikes

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLilylui

remember to stop taking vitamin B complex and any other supplements that contain biotin a week before all blood tests as biotin can falsely affect test results (it’s used in lab test equipment)

Lilylui profile image
Lilylui in reply toSlowDragon

didn’t know that.

Although I am on anticoagulant when I do a finger prick I can never get enough out do I need a lot to get that test?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toLilylui

approx 10-12 drops

Medichecks and BH list hundreds of private blood test clinic options

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

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