T3 blood test result

[Mfjames]

Hello, like a lot of people with hypo and Hashimotos I’m still struggling to get to bottom of why I have so many symptoms but ‘normal’ results. I take 75mg a day of levo as was looking to increased by a small amount but not looking likely. . Doesn’t sound like they can test t4.

I’ve finally got myT3 tested as below and have been told normal. Should this ideally be close to 6, my result is 3.9?

Serum free T3 level - (robin) -Tell Patient Normal - 3.9

Range : 2.43 - 6.01pmol/L

Serum TSH level - 1.68

Range: 0.35 - 4.94mIU/L

They recently changed blood test provider and ranges and this is one of the lowest tsh results I’ve ever had which makes me wonder!

For info I’m a woman in my thirties

Thanks for your help,

M

[SlowDragon Administrator]

These results suggest you are on inadequate dose

Obviously you need to test Ft4 …but also vitamin levels too, especially with Hashimoto’s

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Request GP retest including Ft4 and vitamin levels

Plus…if not already on gluten free diet get coeliac blood test too (as per NICE guidelines)

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

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

Just TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 test - £32

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

10% off code here

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies)

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here

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...

[Mfjames in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the helpful reply here!

Will follow up on having my T4 tested / private tests and a more recent test of vitamin levels. I take general supplements for iron, b12, magnesium, d3, ACE… but not sure these are working as they should ! Hopefully further results will shed some light

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mfjames]

Iron should be 4 hours away from levothyroxine and at least 2 hours away from everything apart from vitamin C

Retest full iron panel 3-4 times a year if supplementing iron. Ferritin can be low but iron high

Magnesium afternoon or evening at least 4 hours away from levothyroxine

Vitamin D mouth spray can be an hour away from levothyroxine…but tablets or gels at least 4 hours away

Retest folate, B12 and ferritin at least annually

Vitamin D twice year

As you are on inadequate dose levothyroxine, vitamins will struggle

[DippyDame]

Strange testing!

"Normal" is meaningless!

FT3 too low

Ask for levo increase to 100mcg

Aim for FT4 and FT3 to be approaching 75% through ref range

Results calculator...

thyroid.dopiaza.org/?utm_so...

But...the important thing is how you feel!

We're not machines that can be calibrated to a set point...yet medics often think we can!!

[Mfjames in reply to DippyDame]

Thanks for your reply and link to results calculator!