3 WEEKS POST THYROIDECTOMY AND THYROID LEVELS ON ELTROXIN. ARE MY LEVELS NORMAL FOR 3 WEEKS POST SURGERY

[NIKEGIRL]

Hi. I am 3 weeks post thyroidectomy. My surgeon ordered a blood test and these were the results 3 weeks to the day after my surgery. I am a graves patient who had positive TSI, TrAb and TPO antibodies.

TSH 0.01 range 0.40-5.30

Total T4 144 range 78-157

Free T4 155 range 75-170

Total T3 1.30. Range 1.30-2.70

I take eltroxin 50mgs x 3 tablets so 150mgs daily. Eltroxin is made by MercuryPharma. I withheld my levothyroxine 24 hours before the test and did the test at 9am on an Empty stomach. I take my levothyroxine on an empty stomach in the morning and with water only.

I weigh 90kgs

Will I be like Dr Toft talks about. What I mean is will I need more T4 to be over the T4 range in order for me to get my T3 higher. Am I correct in that I am not over medicated because T3 is not over the range.

I take iron, vitamin c, selenium, folate and b12 everyday. Because it is summer in New Zealand I am getting plenty of vitamin d everyday.

My gp will not test my vitamins and I cannot get private testing.

What also needs factoring in is I rode my road bike 3 days in a row before this blood test and rode 20 miles a day. Did my riding of my bike affect the T3 result?

I was made hypothyrodic for my surgery meaning I went under the ranges so should I ask for a dose change 3 weeks post surgery? As in should I ask for more levothyroxine or should I stay on the 150mgs for the recommended 6-8 weeks.

[Hidden]

So great to see you back, nikegirl ♥️

I'm sure there is an impact on T3 with exercise... I think tattybogle had a study about it but I could be wrong.

Anecdotally; my physical and mental health dropped off a cliff after I ran a half marathon. It was the WORST I had ever been. It was prediagnosis though so I don't know what my bloods were but I wouldn't have been surprised if it was below range.

[tattybogle in reply to Hidden]

The link to the paper is here .. healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... the-effect-of-acute-exercise-session-on-thyroid-hormone-economy-in-rats

haven't read it for a long while so can't remember much about the detail ,, it was complicated but yes, results are definitely affected by acute exercise .

Hi nikegirl i reckon wait a bit longer .. at least 6/8 weeks ,

TSH affects conversion ,, give it long enough to get you the best amount of T3 from levo that it can ... rushing to increase levo may mean you end up on high dose levo for years and never give TSH chance to rise a little to improve your own conversion within cells.. it's not just about how much T3 is in the blood . it's also about the cells ( brain ) that 'prefer' to make their own T3 from T4.

Also , don't forget, a "Total T3 " can't tell you what level your Free T3 is. Your fT3 could be high or it could be low or it could be slap bang in the middle . so don't make assumptions based only on a TT3 result.

Now go and sit under a tree and write out 100 times "patience and moderation in all things will get me better quicker " .. have 10 mile bike ride, and then sit in a hammock with a cold beer and read 'The Tortoise and the Hare'

(do you have tortoises and hares down there ? lol,, luv you , sending a hug )

[Hidden in reply to tattybogle]

Thanks Tatty. I'll save that link now. 😁

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome back…….perhaps you might need to pace yourself, certainly initial few months while you build your health back up

One bike ride a week …..not three

Or two shorter rides

[jimh111]

It can take quite some time, maybe a year for TSH to recover because Graves’ antibodies can suppress TSH. The antibodies tend to decline after a thyroidectomy but it takes many months or more.

[NIKEGIRL in reply to jimh111]

this was my blood the day before surgery. Total t4 50 range 78-157 LOW

Free t4 48 range 75-170 LOW

Total t3 1.0 range 1.30-2.70 LOW

So 3 weeks past this date is my blood 

Total t3 came up 0.30 that’s all

T4 came up a lot about 100 and is 83% through the range. T3 is disproportionate by a very long way.

[NIKEGIRL]

hi Jim. I did have antibodies tested before surgery and they were raging away as strong as ever.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Great to hear from you Nikegirl. How are you feeling post op/ on your current thyroid medication dosage?

[Nipperdoodles]

I take 125 mcg of Eltroxin every night before bed. I have been on Eltroxin for approx 8 years. They have been a steady medication for me with no noticeable side effects. Hope your recovery very goes well.

Best wishes