FT4 and FT3 results

[Dawney63]

I asked my GP for a increase in levo , he said I had to have Ft4 tested I asked for FT3 as well, my TSH was 4.14 .My results of bloods taken on Thursday 15th June are

FT4 12 (9.0 - 20.0)

FT3 3.9 ( 2.4 - 6 )

Should I now ask again for the increase in levo?

I have asked for a phone call from the GP.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Absolutely yes

Looking at previous posts are you still only on 50mcg levothyroxine?

FT4: 12 pmol/l (Range 9 - 20)

Ft4 is only 27.27% through range

FT3: 3.9 pmol/l (Range 2.4 - 6)

Ft3 a little better at 41.67% through range

helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

thyroid.dopiaza.org/

On just levothyroxine when adequately treated Ft4 will usually be at least 60-70% through range

Are you only taking levothyroxine?

Request/insist on 25mcg dose increase to 75mcg daily

As been on only 50mcg a long time….suggest you initially increase to 75mcg and 50mcg on alternate days ….or cut 25mcg tablet in half to add to 50mcg ….to make 67.5mcg daily

(Or cut a 50mcg in 1/4)

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Ideally don’t change brand when increasing dose

Only change one thing at a time

[Dawney63 in reply to SlowDragon]

Just spoke to GP she said TSH is now 3.1, (blood test on 15th June.)I am still on 50mg levo, GP has just agreed to increase that to 75mg and to arrange another blood test in 2 months.

[Dawney63 in reply to SlowDragon]

If I take 75 on one day and 50 the next day do I stay like that until next blood test in 2 months ?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Dawney63]

no ….reading through your previous post that you stopped Levothyroxine few months ago …..I suggest you just increase to 75mcg daily ……see how you get on

Has GP written new prescription for extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half

or have they prescribed 25mcg tablets alongside your 50mcg tablets

The only brands that make 25mcg are Wockhardt, Mercury Pharma or Teva

Best to avoid Teva as it upsets many people

[Dawney63 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks i think its best to stay on the same brand i willhave to wait to get the prescription later to see whats been prescribed

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Dawney63]

So you can what possibilities there are, have a look at my UK medicines document.

helvella's medicines documents (UK and Rest of the World) can be found here:

helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines

helvella has created, and tries to maintain, documents containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world.

This link takes you to a page which has direct links to the documents from Dropbox and Google Drive, and QR codes to make it easy to access from phones.

The UK document contains up-to-date versions of the Summary Matrix for tablets, oral solutions and liothyronine available in the UK.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

So you’re currently taking Almus (Accord brand)

Accord don’t make 25mcg tablets

Request extra 50mcg tablets and cut in half to get 25mcg

Use sharp craft scalpel or pill cutter

[Dawney63 in reply to SlowDragon]

I said this to GP there wasn't a 25mg tablet she insisted there was I will have to see what prescription she gives me.

Levothyroxine

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Dawney63]

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Most easily available (and often most easily tolerated) are Mercury Pharma or Accord

Accord only make 50mcg and 100mcg tablets.

Accord is also boxed as Almus via Boots, 

Mercury Pharma make 25mcg, 50mcg and 100mcg tablets 

Mercury Pharma also boxed as Eltroxin. Both often listed by company name on pharmacy database - Advanz 

Wockhardt only make 25mcg and often very well tolerated. Some people remain on Wockhardt, taking their daily dose as a number of tablets 

Lactose free brands  - currently Teva or Vencamil only 

Teva makes 25mcg, 50mcg, 75mcg and 100mcg 

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. 

Teva is lactose free.But Teva contains mannitol as a filler instead of lactose, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Mannitol seems to upset many people, it changes gut biome 

Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet. 

So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half

But for some people (usually if lactose intolerant, Teva is by far the best option)

Vencamil is currently 100mcg only. Lactose and mannitol free

 

List of different brands available in U.K.

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...