My lovely Mom was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism last November. We have had such a battle with local GP practice refusing to carry out T3 and T4 blood test even when asked by our private Endo. Her latest bloods have come back this morning (private test) as follows:
TSH 1.73 (0.27 - 4.20 mU/L)
Free T4 L 11.7 (12.0 - 22.0 pmol/L)
Free T3 3.28 (3.1 - 6.8 pmol/)
She is currently taking 1 x Levo 25mcg per day and 1 x Lio 5mcg per day
Am waiting for the endo to return on 22nd, so any advice in the meantime would be appreciated.
She is still symptomatic with fatigue (sometimes severe), anxiety and brain fog.
Many thanks all
Written by
KillashandraRee
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Thank you SlowDragon. She is taking Almus after having a reaction to Teva earlier this year. Aware about other tests thank you. We are self funding so will do these when she has her dose increased 👍
Does she have any other health issues eg heart problems?
Why was T3 included at such an early stage?
Little wonder she feels underpar.....poor Mum.
Her thyroid levels are abysmally low and that dose won't make a huge difference to her well being....25mcg levo is only a starter dose.
If she has had no dose increase since Nov then now is the time to increase to 50mcg levo...I doubt she needs 5mcg T3 or that it is helping much, but maybe best to hold on to the prescription meantime.
Her GP should recognise undermedication but many are hopelessly ignorant about thyroid disease
Has she had vit D, vitB12, folate, ferritin and thyroid antibodies TPO and Tg tested. These ned to be optimal to support thyroid function.
Was last T4 dose 24hrs before testing and T3, 12 hours.
Was test close to 9am?
Mum is undermedicated and needs more levo, followed by testing after 6 weeks on a steady dose. This should be repeated until she feels better
I guess her medics are monitoring by TSH which is not a reliable marker...this is the downfall of many patients.
FT3 is the most important result followed by FT4.
The following should help you build a case for an increase...
Thank you DippyDame, yes I totally agree I’ve had so much trouble with her local GP. I just thankful for this forum, having been hypo myself for 10 years this forum saved me really. The T3 was from me in desperation when she couldn’t walk whilst staying with me in March. I had to do something as they were refusing to up her dose. It had an immediate effect as you can imagine! I dread to think what happens to our older hypo patients who are struggling with no support 😟
Yes he does. She was diagnosed in November 2022 and has had only TSH tested as they do not test T4 and T3 or anything else. He will do the right thing by her I am sure. The local GP…. Not so much
I understand why you gave her T3 but it has skewed her results, so best tell GP / endo otherwise they will be base her dose on the skewed results which will be a further issue.....and further confuse their current confusion!!
Endo doesn't seem to be doing the right thing so far....hope you can shake things up now
Mum needs to stop T3 if not prescribed, then a few days later increase levo to 50mcg.
This is not advice!!.. but in your shoes, if GP sticks his heels in, I'd be inclined to do this myself then hopefully show her GP how she has improved.....but I'm a thyroid rebel!!
Like you I dread to think of the number of people suffering behind closed doors because of incompetence.
I'm 78 and need high dose T3 to function....endo was clueless. This forum possibly saved my life so I get very angry when I hear about treatment like this.
Wishing you and your Mum good luck....she is lucky to have your support
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