Latest thyroid result

[Suzanneharb]

Hi,

I just did my annual thyroid test. It's not disastrous, but my Ft3 has dropped to the lowest it's been in many, many years. I did wonder if I was slightly undermedicated as I randomly had a migraine a few weeks ago and lots of low level headaches (not had migraines since I was last hypo - 13 years ago!). My Ft3 is usually right at the top of the range, and now it's mid. Shall I just retest in 6 weeks to check, or take action? Trying not to freak out (I know I'd be managing without a Dr to help).

FT3: Your result is 5.4

FT3 levels normal (normal range 3.1 - 6.8 pmol/L)

FT4: Your result is 19.6

FT4 levels normal (normal range 12 - 22 pmol/L)

Thanks!

(I'm 44 and very possibly entering perimenopause. Would this affect things?)

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Free T4 (fT4) 19.6 pmol/L (12 - 22) 76.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 5.4 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 62.2%

Can you tell us the timings of your last doses of Levo & T3 before this test?

Did you stop any biotin containing supplement 4-7 days before the test?

What are you supplementing with and what are your latest results for ferritin, folate, B12 & D3?

[Suzanneharb in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hello! I didn't stop biotin as I didn't know that would impact? I've not really heard of that. I always take my thyroxine after the blood test (which I do first thing in the morning) so that variable is controlled. All results you mentioned were upper range when I last tested 6 months ago (and I still take b supplement and D daily). My iron test is next week as that was low a year ago and I've been supplementing since. Thank you!

[Suzanneharb in reply to Jaydee1507]

Is 62% ok? I can't remember what is recommended as optimal?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Suzanneharb]

Biotin is used in the process of a thyroid blood test so it can interfere with results if it is in your system at the time of a thyroid blood test. Usually suggested to stop taking B complex (can replace with separate B12 & folate) for 4-7 days before thyroid blood test. We mention it a lot on here but GP surgery probably won't.

62% isn't bad but you haven't said how long between last T3 dose & blood draw. Usual recommended time is 8-12 hours. Longer gives a false low result.

Most people need their FT3 at around 70% but some may need a little more or less. Again it depends on when you took last dose.

[Suzanneharb in reply to Jaydee1507]

Ah okay, thanks! I knew to stop taking b vitamins for for a vit b test, but not for thyroid test. So would it lower the result of the test? I took my last T3 dose 12hours before (sorry I left that out). My FT3 result hasn't been below 6 in years, so it's made me nervous tbh

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Suzanneharb]

helvella - Biotin supplementation and testing

A short article about how and why biotin can affect blood tests. Includes information about how to avoid any problems.

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Suzanneharb]

Perhaps retest in 6 weeks because its really not that far off.

How much Levo & T3 do you take?

[Suzanneharb in reply to Jaydee1507]

I take 200 t4 and 20 t3.

I used to take mercy pharma t3 and it’s now teva. I think I read somewhere that mercury was shutdown? Would the brand switch have impacted me?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Suzanneharb]

Its quite possible that the brand change might affect your results.

[Suzanneharb in reply to Jaydee1507]

I stay on one brand of Levo for this reason. Sorry if I’ve missed this, but is teva liothyronine the only available option now?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Suzanneharb]

Its likely that several brands of Liothyronine are available, but you would need to check with the pharmacy that you use or phone around other local pharmacies to see what they have or can get hold of.

Shortages of medicines is an ongoing problem and if you want the same brand of T3 then see if GP will write the brand on your prescription. It has to be written in the first line.

named brand prescription

[Suzanneharb in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Suzanneharb]

The branding Mercury was not shut down.

At least one of several companies with Mercury in their name shut down as part of restructuring - and there are several others - all controlled by the Advanz group.

[Suzanneharb in reply to helvella]

Brilliant, thank you! My pharmacist really gets the issue of brand switching (lovely guy) so I’ll go chat to him today.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Suzanneharb]

It doesn't help that the computer systems tend to list suppliers of products. Not the names on the packets.

So they will identify "Advanz" as the supplier (as well as all the distributors who handle their product). Even if the packets say "Mercury".

[Suzanneharb in reply to Jaydee1507]

I retested with biotin, and my Ft3 is now 4.8! I’m panicking a bit. Should I increase my liothyronine?

(See my other post, I’m borderline anaemic still)

[McPammy]

Those results to me look very good. I’d be happy.

[radd]

Suzanneharb,

FT3 5.4 (3.1 - 6.8 pmol/L) - 62.16% through range

FT4: 19.6 (12 - 22 pmol/L) - 76% through range.

When we've been so ill from year of inadequate thyroid hormones it is easy to blame every ailment on hypo but your results look great 👍.

Yes, perimenopause can start altering thyroid hormone equilibrium, but it could also be responsible for your headaches?

Apart from the headaches, how are you feeling?