Private blood test

[111Angel]

I've been on levo 75mg for about 5yrs. Dr wouldn't increase because TSH was low and diabetes endo wouldn't look at my thyroid issues. After a private blood test last year I mentioned t3 to him as mine is low. He said we don't trust private bloods. Can't give t3 but you can see a private endo who will. He gave me a number for one off the Internet. The P endo suggested upping levo to to 100mg which should increase t3. Why didn't my D endo suggest this. ( he said he was willing to put me on t3 if not converting but it will cost around £170) These are my results I've just received after taking 100mg levo since 1st Sept 23. Are the results looking good? Thanks for looking😊x

[TiggerMe]

Free T4 (fT4) 18.8 pmol/L (12 - 22) 68.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 4.3 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 32.4%

T4:T3 Ratio 4.372 

You have room to add a little more T4 to see if that is enough to feel well, I'd suggest adding another 12.5mcg a day and see how that looks in 8 weeks

Your B12 and Vit D look good, the other essentials for conversion are folate and ferritin how are they looking?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

was test done 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)

What are your other results

Folate, ferritin and thyroid antibodies

[111Angel in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon

I

[SlowDragon Administrator]

looking at previous posts you are type one diabetic - so autoimmune

Are you on Metformin or insulin

Are you on gluten free diet or dairy free diet

If not gluten free get coeliac test before considering trying gluten free

[111Angel]

Thank you for your response. It's ashame you can't put more than one picture on. I did test at 8.45am no meds for 24hrs and no food. The folate test didn't work but I take folate meds everyday. I'm on insulin in an insulin pump. I'm not on a dairy or gluten free diet but I rarely eat due to nausea from my gastroparesis. I do have milk though. I hope I can get an increase in levo.

I

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to 111Angel]

Have you had ultrasound scan of thyroid?

20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Paul Robson on atrophied thyroid - especially if no TPO antibodies

paulrobinsonthyroid.com/cou...

Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue

So it’s worth trying

Request coeliac blood test BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

[111Angel in reply to SlowDragon]

No I haven't had an ultrasound. Not sure how that will happen as I couldn't get an increase in levo until I went private? Could the private Dr ask for one to be done on the NHS? I'll check the Paul Robson link. Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to 111Angel]

I rarely eat due to nausea from my gastroparesis.

Getting your T3 higher will hopefully help

Likely to need T3 prescribed alongside levothyroxine

Private prescription is not that expensive

Typical daily dose 3 x 5mcg

Private prescription enables access to Thybon Henning 20mcg tablets……cut into 1/4’s

available via specialist pharmacies

thyroiduk.org/get-support/t...

[111Angel in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. This sounds positive. I'm looking at asking my gp to refer me to an endo as I have no faith at all with my diabetes endo. If not I'll go private again and see what he says.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to 111Angel]

Here’s link for how to request Thyroid U.K.list of private Doctors emailed to you, but within the email a link to download list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists who will prescribe T3

Ideally choose an endocrinologist to see privately initially and who also does NHS consultations

thyroiduk.org/contact-us/ge...

[111Angel in reply to SlowDragon]

That's brilliant. Thank you so much SlowDragon.