blood resulrs

[Alicereg]

can anyone help me with these results. I’m not clear what it means antibody wise? I am taking t3 and t4. What do thyroglobulin and peroxidase antibodies mean? These are my last two sets. Been told I have hashimotos. Thank you

[DippyDame]

How much T4 and T3 are you taking?

High antibodies indicate Hashimoto's....gluten free diet is recommended

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

These results look quite different to the ones you posted 5 days ago. I see in a previous post you said you do intermittent fasting. This is known to reduce FT3 and yours is below range.

The antibodies are just an indicator you have Hashimoto's.

[Alicereg in reply to Jaydee1507]

thank you for your reply. Do you know why the thyroid antibodies would be different when I am same regime for both blood tests

[Alicereg in reply to Jaydee1507]

also the bloods were done within days of eachother so very confusing if they are that diffferent.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Alicereg]

Were they both done at the same time of day? Recommended at 9am or as close as possible.

Were the tests done under the same conditions? When did you last take your Levo and T3 for each test? Levo should have been 24hrs, T3 8-12hrs.

Antibodies do fluctuate so not an issue.

[Alicereg in reply to Jaydee1507]

yes to all your questions but I’m now only taking 5 mg of t3 once a day so also has a 24 hour period before test was done.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Alicereg]

In that case this is not a true reflection of where your FT3 is at. FT3 will have dropped too low with a space of 24hrs. Better to delay taking the T3 the day before to leave 8-12hrs before blood test.

Why did you drop the dose when you weren't over replaced?

How do you feel?

[Alicereg in reply to Jaydee1507]

I got worried that I was over replaced so cut it. Maybe I should go back to it but then when I saw my tsh was very low I thought maybe the t3 doing me more harm than good. I’m so confused by it all! I also know of lots of other people are on higher dose of levo than me and on same t3 and that worried me. I do have a private endo but even that confuses me! He’s very brief and I don’t feel explains enough although my worst symptom currently is brain fog! You might have guessed! I’m just not sure if taking t3 is making any difference whatsoever and keep worrying it could make me worse. When I started on t3 I definitely felt less fatigued which is wonderful however I also started taking a magnesium supplement at the same time so it could be a combination of both. Thank you for your time in trying to help me, it is appreciated.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Alicereg]

If anyone understands brain fog it's people here!

We are all individuals as far as thyroid replacement goes so do stop comparing yourself to others as that doesn't work. You need what you need to make you well.

When taking T3 you need to read blood results slightly differently to levo only. Basically ignore TSH when taking T3 as it frequently suppresses the TSH so you then need to go by the FT4 and FT3. So long as they are within range then you are not over replaced. You also need to take a constant dose, the same every day at the same time. I see you have said you take different amounts each day. That won't work.

From your last results:

Free T4 (fT4) 15 pmol/L (12 - 22) 30.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 5 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 51.4%

You actually just needed to raise Levo by 25mcgs.

[Alicereg in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you. My gp prescribed 50 levo but then said to increase to 75 which made me feel worse. She then said take 50 or 75! For past few months I have only taken 50. Both gp and endo have seen these results and both say Carry on as I am! Honestly I feel clueless, just want to feel better!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Alicereg]

GP's and Endo's will be happy with your results if they are within the normal range. They don't care if we have a raft of symptoms, just their numbers look good on paper. That won't work to make you feel well though and you need to follow guidance on here.

How long did you take the extra Levo? Often we can feel worse before we feel better.

You really need to get your key vitamins tested - ferritin, folate, B12 & D3. We get low vitamins from poor absoption caused by low stomach acid.

[Alicereg in reply to Jaydee1507]

literally only a few times as I felt horrific on 75. Yes I have had all of those vitamins and minerals checked. Been told my b12 is too high and to stop supplementing.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Was this test done early morning

Last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Day before test did you split T3 as 3 smaller doses spread through the day and last 1/3rd dose approx 8-12 hours before test

How much levothyroxine and is it always same brand

How much T3 and which brand

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

Blood test should only be after 6-8 weeks on constant unchanging dose and brand levothyroxine and T3

[Alicereg in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you for your reply. I find all of this very hard to navigate - both forum and UAT! Yes everything you say was tested. I’m told b12 is high yet according to nutritionists it’s not. Levothyroxine is wokhardt brand and t3 is a private prescription lactose free one. I take 50 - 75 levo and t3 I was prescribed one 20 mg tablets to be halved but I have cut down to half twice a day and sometimes I only take a quarter. I find it all so confusing. I thought I needed t3 as I have hashimotos and therefore don’t convert.

[Alicereg in reply to SlowDragon]

also did I tried to include two photos but not sure if it did . Enclosing the other just in case but why would the results differ so much and is one better than the other?

Results

[Alicereg in reply to SlowDragon]

is there a Facebook group like this with helpful people on it. I find this so hard to navigate.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

I think you need to restart

First thing to understand is nothing happens quickly with thyroid disease

There’s no point doing any blood test until been on constant unchanging dose (and brand) of levothyroxine or T3 for at least 6-8 weeks

Which brand of levothyroxine is your 50mcg tablet

For 75mcg dose do you have a 75mcg tablet or 50mcg plus 25mcg

If you have 75mcg tablet it will be Teva brand as Teva is only brand that makes 75mcg

Many people can’t tolerate Teva brand

Many people find different brands are not interchangeable

So first steps

1) get a weekly pill dispenser and take same overall dose levothyroxine every week for minimum 6-8 weeks

If taking 75mcg and 50mcg alternate days

Suggest you choose if taking 75mcg 4 x and 50mcg x 3 every week

Or vice versa

Overall dose levothyroxine must be constant

2) work out which brand levothyroxine you prefer and only get that one

3) T3

Starting too much is almost always a disaster

Cut tablets to get 5mcg dose. Either use a pill cutter or sharp scalpel

Get another pill dispenser to save spare 1/4’s

Generally

First week only add one 5mcg T3 dose first thing in morning

2nd week add another 5mcg dose T3 mid afternoon

3rd week add 3rd 5mcg dose T3 at bedtime

Hold at this dose for minimum 6-8 weeks before retesting

Having Hashimoto’s doesn’t mean we can’t convert Ft4 to Ft3. But we do often need addition of small doses of T3 alongside levothyroxine

Aiming for both Ft4 and Ft3 at test results to be approx 70% through range

Taking almost any dose of T3 will result in TSH dropping very low, usually below range. Ideally not below 0.03. But often drops to 0.01

ESSENTIAL to maintain good vitamin levels by supplementing

Frequently necessary to be gluten free and/or dairy free