After feeling sluggish, brittle nails, dry hair and cold, I decided to have my thyroid hormones checked by medichecks.
The results are mixed.
TSH 1.34 miu/L (In a good range)
Free Thyroxine 17 pmo/L (in a good range)
Free T3 2.67 pmo/L. ( Low )
My question is, how important is the Free T3 when all other markets are in range
Any insight would be appreciated.
Thank you
Diana
Welcome to the forum
Ft3 is the most important result as is the active hormone that gives you energy
As a type one diabetic you need Thyroid antibodies tested too
Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
You mention in your profile you are anaemic
Has GP prescribed iron supplements
all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options and money off codes
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins
medichecks.com/products/adv...
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...
Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee
Thank you.
My Vit D is normal and my B12 is high. I am now on iron tablets and my fatigue has improved.
Should I retest my Free T3 again?
Thank you
What’s actual vitamin D result
Aiming for vitamin D at least over 80nmol minimum
High B12 - what’s the result
do you supplement B12?
If not high B12 can be deceptive
Paradoxical B12 deficiency
b12oils.com/paradoxical.htm...
No folate result ?
Retest full iron panel including ferritin 3-4 times a year when on iron supplements
GP likely to stop supplements too soon and/or levels plummet if you stop supplements
Hi Diana52, welcome to the forum.
Actually, there's not such thing as 'a good range'. There is a good place - your sweet spot - within the range, but that's not the same thing as a range. So, it would be easier for everybody if you gave the actual range numbers.
You don't say if you have a diagnosis of thyroid problems, or if you are taking any thyroid hormone replacement. But, if you are, your FT3 looks low compared to your FT4. But impossible to say without the range numbers. But if it is low, that would account for your symptoms: sluggish, brittle nails, dry hair and cold. Because it is T3 that causes symptoms, not T4 or TSH. 
Ah I see
Here is my report Does this show anything I should ask my GP about ?
Oh, absolutely, yes! Your FT3 is very, very low! You must feel terrible. What's more, your TSH is not reflecting that: it should be a lot higher!
But, you haven't said if you're diagnosed with anything or taking anything, so your results cannot be further analysed without know that.
I have just finished my iron tablets. I am not on any other medication except for insulin type 1 diabetes.
My latest results for B12 were 2000ng/L but I was having injections which have been stopped as my levels were so high. I did have quite low readings hence the introduction to injections.
Vit D was 249nmol/L, quite high, I was taking this supplement but have subsequently stopped on instruction from my GP so it is now back to normal range.
I am going to see my diabetic consultant next week, should I inform him of my thyroid results?
Thank you.
My latest results for B12 were 2000ng/L but I was having injections which have been stopped as my levels were so high.
Well, I hope they start them again, when your level drops - as I'm sure it will. Have you been tested for Pernicious Anemia?
Yes, you most certainly should inform him of your thyroid results. And tell him that you know that's not normal and definitely not good. Don't let him fob you off with 'well, your TSH is in-range', or anything like that.
Thank you. I will be taking my results to show my diabetes consultant.
My GP had already told me that the NHS do not test for Free T3 and my total thyroid results have come back as normal, no further action.
It really is an uphill struggle
You’ve been a great help.
Was folate tested alongside B12?
As you have B12 injections it’s recommended also to supplement a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)
This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help maintain B12 levels too
your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week
B12 drops
natureprovides.com/products...
B12 range in U.K. is too wide
Interesting that in this research B12 below 400 is considered inadequate
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Low folate
supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid)
This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help improve B12 levels too
Difference between folate and folic acid
healthline.com/nutrition/fo...
Many Hashimoto’s patients have MTHFR gene variation and can have trouble processing folic acid.
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
B vitamins best taken after breakfast
Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)
Thorne currently difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay
Other options
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....
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
endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...
endocrinenews.endocrine.org...
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) and continue separate B12
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Thank you for your info. So much to learn and digest I’ve ordered Thorne B vits and see how I get on. I’m also seeing my consultant on Wednesday. It will be interesting to see what he says.
As you have type one diabetes (autoimmune) you definitely need to test thyroid antibodies
Get another test via Medichecks including antibodies and vitamins
How much vitamin D were you taking
Restart at lower dose once vitamin D drop around 100nmol
Also as type one diabetic get coeliac blood test before considering trial on strictly gluten free diet
My Vit d intake was quite high, 10000IU. However, I only take it during the winter months.
I have been tested for coeliac but the results were negative, although I am on a low carb way of eating and very little gluten, if at all, as I cook from scratch.
I will restart my Vit D but as you say, on a lower dose.
Thank you, it’s great to be able to get some help with all of this. Much appreciated.
Try 1000iu vitamin D per day in summer and 2000iu per day in winter
You might need higher dose
Test twice year eg ……Sept and Feb
Just another question.
Dry mouth, dry throat, would that be other symptoms of thyroid disorder?
I was investigated for nodules and after about 3 years of check ups and biopsies, I have been discharged from the hospital.
Thank you
Free T3 getting lower
Free T3 result
Results including free T3
Low total T3 but normal free T3?
Advice on low Free T3 results
