T3 not tested

[Catlady73]

why won’t they test t3 in England …. My doctor says they don’t test only t4

[greygoose]

Because they don't know what it is, what it does, what level it should be nor what to do if it's low. What's more, if they tested T3 right from the start they would end up having to diagnose far more people than they would wish! It's all about ignorance, money and keeping people sick.

[farrellkl68]

There was a discussion this week , they don’t even test T4 where I live , although I’m going to ask the GP to do it . Another postcode lottery. I just had private tests (23 years hypo) , which showed T3 right at bottom of the scale.

[asiatic]

Many Graves patients have TPO some don’t. Strange they are measuring it after 23 years. Regards T3 - it’s been my experience if TSH is suppressed or low which is normal with Graves, labs will measure T3. You say you are back on 30 mg. Carbimazole and thyroid tests are in range against a 23 year background of relapsing which must be very tiring for you. I think people on the forum could give you helpful advice to stop this cycle if they had more info from you. Could you add to your bio symptoms, blood results, dosage, timescales and importantly have TSI or TRAb ever been tested to confirm Graves. Maybe the best way forward for you would be to stay on a low dose of Carbimazole long term.

[elwins]

post code lottery as to what gets tested. Some health authorities test others do not. The next county to me will test and supply T3 but my health authority does not.

[McPammy]

I’m one of the very lucky ones that gets their TSH, t4 and t3 tested by my gp. They never use to test t3 but now I take NHS prescribed T3 liothyronine they always check my T3. However, t3 has to be hand written on the blood form and signed by a health professional. The nurse doing my bloods signs the form. No questions ever asked as my TSH is always just about in range. They check it every 3 months without fail for about 4 years now. I live in Chester area.

[serenfach]

It comes from the NICE guidelines that basically say if TSH is in range, dont test anything else. If the TSH is out of range, they can test T4 and if deemed clinically necessary, they can test T3. I have asked the Endo and the blood test people when is clinically necessary and not got a reply.

The test for T3 is no longer on the blood forms here and GPs cannot ask for it. Even the Endo had to write it in by hand. The blood test people are not following the rules and the next time I have a blood test and the T3 or T4 are not done the brown stuff is going to hit the rotary object.

[farrellkl68]

it’s so wrong but you are lucky if you get the extra tests .

[bardie53]

Mine has done T3 once but think I had to specifically ask for it along with my copper and zinc levels - she wasn't sure they would get done but they were.