Does it matter if free t3 and thyroxine are a little over range with no symptoms other than fatigue.

[Diana49]

Does it matter if free t3 and thyroxine are a little over range with no symptoms other than fatigue.

[SarahJane1471]

Probably best to let the forum know what the test results are and ranges before any opinions are expressed

[Jazzw]

How much over-range? Overmedication can cause fatigue so it might be something to think about.

When you do your blood tests, do you do them as we recommend here: first thing in the morning, having fasted, last dose of levothyroxine 24 hours ago and last half dose of T3 (if you take it) around 12 hours ago?

[Diana49 in reply to Jazzw]

Hi Jazzw thanks for your reply. Am not sure how to do a reply for everyone who answered but I gave more info to GreyGoose.

[Regenallotment]

I felt fine over range (didn’t know at the time) and then suddenly didn’t feel so good a few months later. It can take a while. My early signs were getting a bit hot on a walk, then realising my face was sweating more (it is summer and I’m quite active so I missed these signs). Not sure if that helps you.

I’ve read about someone whose endo is happy with them over range as it’s their normal.

I’ve read posts about risks of FT4 over 22 and TSH under 0.004 in posts here. Worth digging around and looking at your results repeating tests etc.

🌱

[Diana49 in reply to Regenallotment]

Thanks for the response Regenallotment!

[greygoose]

I would say: it all depends. You're talking about a blood test, obviously, because there are not tests to see what gets in the cells. But, T4 and T3 don't do anything in the blood. They don't do anything until they get into the cells. And, some people have difficulty getting them into the cells, so need quite high levels in the blood to saturate the receptors and get some inside. And that's one of the problems going entirely on blood test results and not taking into consideration how the patient feels. But, doctors really don't care how the patient feels, just as long as those numbers tally!

It's all quite complicated and you have to know your own body. Do you feel better with your numbers as they are now? Or did you feel better when they were lower? Only you can answer those questions.

[Diana49 in reply to greygoose]

Yes, I feel better and have no sweaty jittery symptoms, but I feel sure my Zoom doctor will insist on reducing my prescription! I was pottering along on Nature-Throid for years and years but... well, we know what happened there. You wouldn't have heard a peep out of me over all that time. Now it's Zoom doctor's appointments and compounding pharmacies and delivery tracking and constant finger-pricking etc.

Another question: I was applying iodine over my thyroid gland before bed a few days, including the night before, taking the latest test (where the numbers jumped up - T3 gone from 7 to 8 ) There was a gap of 12 hrs etc but I did have breakfast before the finger jab. Do you think this could have influenced the result. Q (Question mark key not working).

Would like to say I really appreciate you bringing your experience to this platform to help others. I appreciate your sensible advice. Thank-you!

PS I am intolerant to maize|corn starch hence the compounding with turmeric.

[greygoose in reply to Diana49]

Your doctor is there to advise you, not dictate to you, whatever he may think! Before he can change your dose he is supposed to have your informed consent. Just refuse to reduce your dose.

As to the iodine, I'm really not sure how much would be absorbed through the skin. Very little, I would have thought, but whether your rub it over your thyroid or on the sole of your foot, it's not going to go directly into the thyroid, it's going to go into the blood and then possibly make it's way round to your thyroid. Hopefully not too much of it! Unless your problem is iodine deficiency, it's not going to help and could make things a lot worse! To begin with, iodine stimulates the thyroid - and it's a bad idea to stimulate a sick gland, it just hastens its demise - and then it acts as an anti-thyroid.

In excess, iodine can cause all sorts of problems, even thyroid cancer, and you are already getting quite a hefty dose of iodine from your thyroid hormone replacement - 100 mcg T4 contains about 65 mcg iodine - plus what you're getting from your food, and that at a time when you need less iodine, not more. So, at best rubbind iodine on your thyroid is pointless, at worst it's dangerous.