Is this still hypo? Please help reading test. D... - Thyroid UK

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Is this still hypo? Please help reading test. Doctors and endo I was referred to won't help, refuse to believe its thyroid related

ratqueenxo profile image
6 Replies

I had a test a week ago that was TSH 2.2 (range 0.27-4.2) FT4: 14.5(11-24.0) FT3: 3.4 (3.6-6.7)REVERSE T3:26.8(9-35.0) FT3/RT3 INDEX: 8.2(<15.0) this was also taken in the evening(my mistake)

I'm confused because I'm experiencing night sweats which i read is a sign of hyper - despite this I am freezing all day and constipated, the usual hypo symptoms basically. I have hashimotos and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism I had a T3 of MINUS 2.8 and even then the doctors and endo sent me home as it being something else due to my tsh being normal..

they said that my t3 was likely due to me being sick from something else, as I had extremely high inflammation at the time(despite having been diagnosed hashimotos by a functional doctor and antibody test???)

I have had to resort to taking a natural glandular (supplement) while I'm waiting to see an endo who will listen to me. I was having great improvements on this supplement for a month or so, then it started to plateau and decline again, so the FT3:3.4 is my most recent test only two weeks ago.

I'm trying to figure out if this has caused me to have hyper like symptoms (the night sweats)or is it more likely the night sweats are due to low cortisol thanks to being hypo?

I am freezing all day, tired but wired can't stay asleep longer than a few hours, its typically at 1-3 am I wake up very hot with what feels like adrenaline and sometimes sleep apnea like symptoms. It's worth mentioning I was keto during this period due to SIBO. I've stopped it temporarily as I think it's stressing my body even more.

I am seeing a functional endocrinologist in a few weeks as I'm sick of this! It's leading me down some dark places. It's been going on for 2 months now but in the mean time I have school and I'm trying to discern if I need to lower or increase, or come off all together until I see this endo, thank you . Please any advice is appreciated

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ratqueenxo
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Night sweats frequently low B12

You need B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D levels tested

Looking at previous posts you have been taking NDT (Erfa?) and before that T3

Have you ever taken just levothyroxine

Only test thyroid levels after minimum 6-8 weeks on constant unchanging dose or brand of replacement thyroid hormones

Always test early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

If taking T3 or NDT …..day before test split dose into 2 or 3 smaller doses and take last dose 8-12 hours before test

ratqueenxo profile image
ratqueenxo in reply to SlowDragon

I was taking erfa for a few weeks, before that it was T3 only. Both I was having side effects when trying to increase (he told me i'd need a higher dose) which is why I transitioned into a glandular "supplement" which I had no side effects with and was improving. Anytime I had side effects my functional doctor was quite dismissive. I could not see someone consistently to treat my levels unfortunately. I am waiting now to see an offical endo who specialises in hashimotos. I've never taken just levothyroxine it's never been offered to me. I'm not sure what my B12 is right now and it's been a while since my ferritin was tested. Does it sound likely I am still hypo? I will raise this when I see her.

Thank you for your help

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to ratqueenxo

Re- Test 6-8 after being on either nothing…..or unchanging dose of what ever you are currently taking

Test early morning

These current results show Ft3 is below range

Most people when adequately treated will have Ft3 at least 50-60% through range

On levothyroxine only Ft4 frequently needs to be higher at 70-80% through range. Usually TSH around or below 1

On just T3 ….Ft4 will be low, often below range. Usually TSH low or under range

On NDT Ft3 will be higher than Ft4. Usually TSH low or below range

Essential with any replacement thyroid hormones that vitamin levels tested regularly and maintained at OPTIMAL Levels

ratqueenxo profile image
ratqueenxo in reply to SlowDragon

Hmm OK thanks for clearing it up. I will probably retest after being on nothing for 6 weeks for her. Thank you!

I wasn't sure if it was under range or not, thanks for confirming

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to ratqueenxo

Get vitamin levels tested now

Come back with new post once you get results

If vitamins are low they tend to lower TSH

To be able to use thyroid hormones we need GOOD Vitamin Levels

ratqueenxo profile image
ratqueenxo in reply to SlowDragon

OK thank you. It's so frustrating because I have no doctor I can requests these tests for at the moment. My gp is very combative but I will ask my endocrinologist when I see her in a few weeks. Again thank you for clarifying that

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