Follow on results

[Sherry5]

Hi all, Happy New Year,

Apologies I’m back again with 2 more blood results following on from my last post. Am still trying to lose the extra stone I put on after having maintained for so long but am focusing now on making that happen so work in progress. These were taken 8wks apart with all the usual instructions of nothing but water first thing and 24hr no meds etc. The first one is while on 125 levo along with half in morning and half at night of T3 (25) and the second is with 125 and 100 alternating days of levo and no T3 at all. (Not sure if relevant but I take my levo at night) Grateful as always of any advice of best way forward now with medication wise. Many thanks.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Sherry5

Presumably the test with FT4 17.7 is the second test?

Why have you stopped the T3 ?

[Sherry5 in reply to SeasideSusie]

yes the first one is with t3…..was trying to see which works best for me, I.E either increasing levo or leaving it the same and adding t3

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Sherry5]

Sherry5

So, disregarding the numbers for now, on which dosing regime (Levo with T3 or Levo only) did you feel best?

If you look at the numbers then your test when taking Levo plus T3 suggests that you needed less Levo and more T3.

Have you tested vitamins recently and are they all at optimal levels:

Vit D - 100-150nmol/L

B12 - top of range for Total B12, if Active B12 then over 100

Folate - at least half way through range

Ferritin - some experts say 90-100ug/L is the optimal level for thyroid function

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Last dose levothyroxine should be 24 hours before test

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood 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

On first test did you split T3 into 3 smaller doses spread through the day…..and last 1/3rd of daily dose approx 8-12 hours before test

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

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

[Sherry5 in reply to SlowDragon]

Apologies I thought I’d already said, all of those 24hr instructions were followed and the T3 was half in morning half at night. All vitamin, folate etc is all fine. I don’t take any supplements and I didn’t see any difference when went gluten free for 7 months. Hope this helps thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Sherry5]

So both results show low Ft3

Most people when adequately treated will have both Ft4 and Ft3 at least 70% through range

Surprising that vitamin levels are optimal without any supplements

Optimal vitamin levels are

Vitamin D at least over 80nmol and between 100-125nmol may be better

Serum B12 at least over 500

Active B12 at least over 70

Folate and ferritin at least half way through range

Have you tried strictly gluten free diet

Suggest you try T3 again…..cutting 25mcg tablet into 1/4’ s and add just one 1/4 initially waking

After week or so add 2nd 1/4 tablet 10-12 hours after 1st

Assuming that’s ok ….2-3 weeks later add 3rd 1/4 tablet and adjust dose timings

Waking, mid afternoon and bedtime

Or if bedtime dose keeps you awake

6am, noon and 6pm

Retest in 8 weeks after adding last 1/4 tablet

Day before test last dose T3 approx 8-12 hours before test

[SlowDragon Administrator]

previous post shows high TPO antibodies

And you’re post RAI and Graves

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

Have you had coeliac blood test done

Are you on, or tried strictly gluten free diet and/or dairy free diet

[pennyannie]

Hey there again :

Knowing your history I would think you will find your health better restored when on full spectrum thyroid replacement and at least taking a T3/T4 combo - and the issue more one of finding the best dose of both T3 and T4 for you.

No thyroid hormone works well until vitamins and minerals are up and maintained at optimal levels and conversion can also be down regulated by inflammation, antibodies and any physiological stress ( emotional or physical ) depression, dieting and ageing.

[eeng]

Your FT3 level seems very low to me. I think we are supposed to have FT3 at least half way up the range. Either you are a poor converter (FT4 to FT3) or you are short of some important nutrient which stops you converting well.