Hello, can I suggest that you type out the results in a reply to yourself (including ranges), it’s difficult to make out the characters on the print out 🙏
Not surprised you still feel terrible. You FT3 is scraping along the bottom of the range, but just inside, so that's why they say it's 'normal'. It isn't 'normal' at all!
Your FT4 is well over-range, which isn't 'normal' either! You are a poor converter.
Well, you could, but the odds are that he won't accept them, making some excuse like their laboratories are rubbish, or something - in general, they do not like patients doing private blood tests, for some weird reason.
What you really need is some T3 added to a reduced dose of levo. But your GP cannot authorise that - and probably wouldn't if he could. You need to be referred to an endo. One that is not anti-T3!
What a nightmare this is! Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be a battle to get your results, appointments and meds! All at a time when you can’t lift your head off the pillow let alone fight for yourself. Thanks you for the advise,
I have a private scan booked on my neck as it hurts a lot next week. Will get my GP to do a referral to a private endo 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
Yes, it is a nightmare. And I think some doctors take advantage of your weakened state to gaslight and bully us. They do not want to treat us, and that's the beginning and the end of it all.
Chose your endo carefully. They are not all sympathetic towards the need for T3.
Igennus B complex popular option too. Nice small tablets. Most people only find they need one per day. But a few people find it’s not high enough dose
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
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)
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
Was last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test ?
How much levothyroxine are you taking and which brand
Depending on when last dose levothyroxine was ……if it was 24 Hours before test ……You may need to reduce levothyroxine a very little as Ft4 is over range
Ft3 is extremely low and that’s what’s making you feel so terrible
What’s vitamin D result?
Optimal vitamin D is at least over 80nmol and between 100-125nmol may be better
I know how you feel and it sucks! I get similar issues when I'm hypo. Selenium, zinc, a good b complex, vitamin D, and B12 help me. What's normal is what's normal for you.
Your T3 is on the low side, remember this is very important to be higher and could be a reason for your symptoms. You might be a poor converter from T4 to T3 like me. Ask for a low dose of Citomel (t3) in addition to your levothyroxine, or amour thyroid might be better for you.
When you get the referral to the ENDO - check them out to see if they specialize in Thyroid or Diabetes. Endos can treat both but most specialize in diabetes. If they do, cancel and ask for a referral for an endo that specializes in thyroid. Stand your ground respectfully and they will hopefully accommodate your request.
You want one that's passionate about solving thyroid issues and not just looking at the TSH result. Otherwise, they might not be able to help you properly and think they know about your thyroid but don't know enough to treat you properly. They may tell you, you have fibro or chronic fatigue like they did me, which are both symptoms of being hypo. I also get high BP when I know I'm hypo, but they think I'm hyper based on my TSH being zero. It's been mostly zero for 40+ years since I was treated with Radioactive iodine.
Most NHS endos believe the TSH is the be-all and end-all. You know your body, be polite and persistent. We are more than our TSH levels.
When you take T3, your TSH will probably be much lower and that's okay as in my opinion, the T3 is the star player and captain of the team of t's.
I'm not a doctor and not qualified to give medical advice but after 45 years of dealing with hashimotos and reading all kinds of thyroid books. I can honestly say that when I've been in a thyroid fog, I can't do much of anything, let alone read books. So the advice and support from the knowledgeable members on here has been extremely helpful.
Trust your gut, you're not a basket case, and you know your own body. It's called medical practice because it's not perfect. Medicine is an art as well as a science, and there isn't just one type of thyroid medicine that helps all thyroid sufferers.
Alternatively, see a private one that specializes in thyroid issues and understands them, like I do. It's worth it to me so I can feel better.
I've been back on amour just over two months and have no aches and pains as of Tuesday. My left knee, both hips and lower back were bad. My TSH is zero again - woo-hoo and my T3 is climbing. Give me another couple of months on amour and I'll be back doing exercises 4 mornings a week! I'm so pleased to say, my energy is returning, and the brain fog has cleared. I can also walk upstairs again without my knee buckling on me.
I'm also gluten-free and don't eat anything with additives and preservatives. I find eating this way, helps me a lot too.
I wish you all the best in your thyroid recovery and take great care of yourself! If you haven't already signed this petition, please do so. Ask your friends, neighbors, and friends on social media to sign it too - we need more support for our thyroid issues in the UK. petition.parliament.uk/peti...
Your T4 is far too high and T3 far too low. If you can you need to reduce T4 and combine with added T3. It could be tricky if you’re consulting with an NHS Endo though as they generally are reluctant to prescribe T3. You could try and push for this though. If not there are private Endocrinologists that could help you. I had to go private to finally get T3 which has been nothing short of a miracle for myself.
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