Recent blood works after increase in thyroxine

[CouchTater]

Hi everyone, hope you're having a fantastic Friday!

A few months ago I posted some results from MediChecks and was told I should push for an increase in my thyroxine (was at 100mcg). I was able to convince the doctors of this and for the past two months I've been on 125mcg per day (up 25mcg) but that two months is coming to an end.

I did a blood test on 14th April with my GP and these were the results (posted below). I didn't go for another MC appointment so this is all the info I have.

TSH - 0.02 mIU/L (normal range 0.27-4.2)

Free T3 - 4.9pmol/L (normal range 3.1-6.8)

Serum T4 - 22.3 pmol/L (normal range 11.0 - 21.2)

I've noticed my anxiety has reduced and I'm sleeping better but I've not heard from the GP about whether they will keep me on this dosage or not.

I appear to be outside the normal range for both the TSH and T4 but I feel fine, no feeling over active or under. I have also lost some weight; 5lbs prior to the new dose and 6.5lbs whilst on the increased meds. I was also fasting during Ramadan so not sure if this made a difference to the blood test results. All meds were taken on an empty stomach in the morning, an hour away from foods. Any supplements I took were in the evening upon breaking the fast.

What are your thoughts please?

Many thanks

Sarah

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Did you do the test as per the protocol recommended here? Recommended blood test protocol: Test at 9am (or as close as possible), fasting, last levo dose 24hrs before the blood draw & no biotin containing supplements for 3-7 days (Biotin can interfere with thyroid blood results as it is used in the testing process)? Testing like this gives consistency in your results and will show stable blood levels of hormone. Taking Levo/T3 just prior to blood draw can show a falsely elevated result and your GP/Endo might change your dose incorrectly as a result.

Fasting can lower TSH and raise FT4 so I would be suspicious if these are accurate results or not. In future years I would refuse to test during Ramadan or around that time for this reason.

If GP hasn't contacted you about the results and you feel fine it might be best to wait and try and retest in 6-8 weeks. If GP does challenge you then point out that you were fasting and that it may have affected your results and would like to restest.

What supplements are you taking?

When did you last test vitamin levels?

[CouchTater in reply to Jaydee1507]

Vitamins tested in Jan was told ok for them but was suggested on here to take vit d.

[CouchTater]

Yikes I completely forgot about that! Took thyroxine at 4am, blood test at 950am. Hadn't taken any supplements before the test. Oh man

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to CouchTater]

So definitely retest in 6-8 weeks as that will have falsley raised your FT4 and perhaps fasting also lowering TSH.

Your ferritin was deficient looking back on previous results. Are you still working on that and adding iron rich foods to your diet?

Folate was 7 and if that was Medichecks its too low. You could buy a separate 400mcgs folate to add to what you are taking.

[CouchTater]

Thanks Jaydee1507 they didn't test for ferritin as the doctor suggested I was OK. Their readings differed from MC. I have been adding more liver to my diet on a weekly basis.I've booked a tel consultation with a gp from another surgery on Fri, as couldn't get one with mine; I'll check again before to keep things consistent. The receptionist said this was OK. I hope I don't have to fight with this one. I think the stress of dealing with these GPs is just as bad, if not worse than the disease