My most recent blood test results (following protocol of early morning and before Levo dose).
TSH 2.59 (0.27-4.2). Was 2.97 two months ago
Free T4 18.9 (12-22) Was 21.6 two months ago
Free T3 4.4 (3.9-6.7) Was 4.1 two months ago
Am I right in thinking these results are slightly better? The doctor was predictably very happy with these results. I have decided to add to my dose myself and retest privately in 2 months time. Only adding 12.5 mcg Levo. Starting from today. I figure if, when I retest, my levels are okay and I feel better on the increase I will then have more ammunition to ask for an increase on my prescription. What do you guys think?
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Turquoisenona
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The only real difference between the two set of results is the FT4 and that has come down. So, not really better at all.
But, it's not more levo you need, it's T3, and increasing your dose of levo is not going to help that because it's pretty much the same now as when your FT4 was higher. Just slightly higher now, but probably not enough to make a difference to how you feel.
Ah well, perhaps you'd better explain how you did both those tests. If they weren't both done in exactly the same conditions then you can't compare them.
OK, so right time of day, but on the first one we can't really know what your level of circulating T4 would be because you took the levo beforehand. But, the odds are, your FT4 level is improving, but your FT3 was too low in both of them. And I'm pretty sure that increasing the levo is not going to take it high enough without the FT4 going over-range. Which is rarely a good idea. You are a poor converter and ideally would need some T3 added to your dose of levo.
Okay, thank you. That would make sense as a few years back the doctor had me on 125mcg Levo and changed his mind and lowered it to 100mcg once results came in.
I sent an email to doctor detailing that I clearly wasn't converting T4 to T3 very well and was interested in trialing T4/T3combination treatment. Said I hadn't felt well since my total thyroidectomy 3 years ago and asked if I could have a referral to an NHS Endocrinologist or whether this was something I would have to follow up privately. I wasn't expecting them to do anything on the NHS to be honest but thought I would try them first. It is so annoying to have such a blunt reply and with no consideration to me not feeling well or even to acknowledge that this is what my results show!
I'm afraid this doesn't surprise me because they are all so ignorant. They don't understand the importance of T3, nor what it is, nor what it does. They just look at the TSH and the price of the treatment, and that's all that interests them. They don't even know about all the possible symptoms of being hypo. And, frankly, they just don't care. Sorry your attempt to get help has failed.
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg)
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