Latest blood test results

[marmitelover81]

Just had my latest results come through.

T4 - 28 Range 11-25

T3 Range 4.8 3.1 - 6.8

TSH - 0.05 (suppressed)

Do they look ok? My t4 is the highest it has been since my TT.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Did you do the test as we advise:

* Test no later than 9am

* Nothing to eat or drink except water before the test

* Last dose of Levo 24 hours before the test

* No biotin or B Complex or any supplement containing Biotin for 3-7 days before the test

[marmitelover81 in reply to SeasideSusie]

yes I had the test at 8.30 with no food or drink. Last does of levo was 9am the day before so nearly 24 hours. I don't take any biotin vitamins.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to marmitelover81]

T4 - 28 Range 11-25 = 121.43% of range

T3 Range 4.8 3.1 - 6.8 = 45.95% through range

TSH - 0.05 (suppressed)

So your results are telling us that you need to have a high/over range FT4 to produce a less than mid-range FT3 level, this means that your conversion of T4 to T3 is poor.

Ideally you would reduce your dose of Levo then add in some T3. This can only be done on the NHS if your GP refers you to an endo who would agree to a trial of T3.

Good conversion needs optimal key nutrients so if you haven't already had them done then get the following tested and post results/ranges here (plus units of measurement for Vit D and B12):

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

If GP wont test them we have recommended private labs who do them as part of a thyroid/vitamin bundle. Most popular are Monitor My Health, Medichecks and Blue Horizon. Details and discount codes here:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[marmitelover81 in reply to SeasideSusie]

My GP doesn't test T3 very often is this normal to just rely on T4 blood test?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to marmitelover81]

Yes, normal for GPs to only test TSH, or at most TSH and FT4. FT3 test rarely done which is why so many of us resort to private testing. FT3 really is the most important test, pity doctors don't understand this.

[marmitelover81 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Do you know why T4 rises? This is the highest mine has been but my dose hasn't changed.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to marmitelover81]

Nothing is static, but looking through your previous posts we don't have any other test results to compare with your current ones so we have no idea how different your levels are or why they would be different. Perhaps you're absorbing your Levo better now for some reason, perhaps you've tested correctly this time but didn't before. Sorry but it's not possible to say with nothing to go on.

[marmitelover81 in reply to SeasideSusie]

It's usually around 20-23. the highest it has been is 26 which was 3 months after RAI. I'm quite anxious at the moment not sure if it is T4 been to high and giving overactive symptoms.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to marmitelover81]

It could be your high FT4 but it's really the FT3 being high that would mean overmedication.

I am a poor converter and when on Levo only my FT4 went as high as 34 (11.8-24.6) at one point (that's 173.44% of range) with FT3 well within range and I didn't have any symptoms of overmedication/hyper.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels will result in poor conversion of Ft4 to Ft3 ….resulting in high Ft4 and low Ft3

What vitamin supplements are you taking

When were vitamin levels last tested

Extremely common on levothyroxine to need to take daily supplement of vitamin D and vitamin B complex continuously to maintain optimal vitamin levels

Some patients need to also supplement separate B12, especially initially

Low iron/ferritin can be an issue too

Please add most recent vitamin results

[marmitelover81 in reply to SlowDragon]

I don't take any vitamin supplements and i haven't had my vitamin levels tested.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to marmitelover81]

So next step

Request GP test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

If they are unwilling, test privately

For good conversion of Ft4 to Ft3 we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels

Many, many thyroid patients find they need to supplement vitamins continuously to maintain good vitamin levels

Test first…..before starting any supplements