T3 only blood results

[RydeBeach]

Hello, I moved from a combination of ERFA/T3 last November to exclusively on T3.

Initially, I was splitting my doses three times a day and gradually building up from a starting dose of only 10mcg at 4am/ 5mcg at 11am and 5 mcg at 3pm..

I worked up to 30mg at 4am/5mcg at 11am and 10mcg at 3pm.

I am aware this is still a low dose and I have now slowly adjusted this to one single dose in the morning of 40mcg .

On one dose I feel better in the afternoons, have less brain fog and feeling a little lighter in mood. I still feel absolutely shattered and have began to have a sort of cold shiver across my shoulders and upper back which is a completely new symptom.

I have put this down to insufficient T3 which I am still building on.

I should also say that while no where near optimal health I am feeling improved in my tiredness levels/clearer mind and general wellbeing with less headaches from when I was on ERFA/T3.

I had recent blood work - taken fasting at 0900

TSH 0.08

Free T4. 0.5

Free T3 3.7

T4 Total. 5.4

Anti-Thyroglobulin 219

Anti-Thyroidperoxidase. <9.0

Cortisol (Random). 271

Vit D. 144

Magnesium 0.84

CRP. 0.68

ferritin 125.0

Serum Folate 51.80

Active B12. >150 (my GP says this high level is ok?)

So, my private thyroid Dr gave me the ok to go on exclusive T3, however it was on a very low dose.

They are unhappy I have adjusted my dose without consolation and is concerned that my T4 is almost non-existent (their words) and my FT3 has dropped since my Last blood test and considers stopping the NDT has led to a deterioration in my results and has recommended going back on a combination of ERFA/T3.

I understood that my blood work would show suppressed levels on exclusive T3 and wasnt that concerned. I am also aware that my symptoms would still be showing greatly as I am on a low dose of T3.

As I mentioned the only new symptom is this cold shiver which may or may not be related.

I really want to stay on T3 and keep increasing and see how I go.

I know if I don’t do as asked and revert to a combination i will be discharged from the private Dr.

I would welcome you opinions please.

Many thanks as always 😊

[greygoose]

You'd probably be better off without that endo, because he doesn't seem to know much about thyroid. Los FT4 when not taking any, is nothing to be concerned about. Some people - like me - just don't need it and are better off without it.

Can you put the ranges for those results, please? Results without ranges are meaningless because they vary from lab to lab.

[RydeBeach in reply to greygoose]

@greygoose ….. thank you for your response. I did think the same, it is always a shame when you have spent huge sums of money on ‘experts’ over time to come up with your own treatment plan and conclusions. 😕

Yes, of course, ranges -

Result Ranges

TSH 0.08 - 0.27-4.20 mIU/L

Free T4. 0.5 - 12.0-22.0 pmol/L

Free T3. 3.7 - 3.1-6.8 pmol/L

T4 Total. 5.4 - 66-181 nmoL/L

Anti-Thyroglobulin 219 <115

Anti-Thyroidperoxidase. <9.0 <34

Cortisol (Random). 271 166-507 milk/L

Vit D. 144 59-200 optimal 75-200

Magnesium 0.84 0.66-0.99 mol/L

CRP. 0.68 <5.0 mg/L

ferritin 125.0 13-150 nmoL

Serum Folate 51.80 8.83-60.8

Active B12. >150 (my GP says this high level is ok?). 37.5-150 pmol/L

Many thanks 🤩

[greygoose in reply to RydeBeach]

I wish I still had all the money I spent on so-called 'experts'!!! I'd be rich! lol

But, we live and learn. Not something I would do again. I self-treat now, and I'm much better for it.

You're FT3 is very low for someone on 40 mcg T3. Do you take it on an empty stomach and wait at least an hour to eat, etc. just like levo?

Active B12. >150 (my GP says this high level is ok?). 37.5-150 pmol/L

Depends on whether you're supplementing or not. If you are, it's of no concern because it's water soluble and excess is excreted. If your not, then he should be looking for the cause rather than making unhelpful remarks.

[RydeBeach in reply to greygoose]

Indeed we do live and learn!!

Yes, my single dose is always on an empty stomach and I wait at least an hour before and food/liquid. Maybe it wasn’t so much when I spread the doses, particularly in the afternoon.

What I have just thought is perhaps I didn’t spread my doses as I should have before the blood test…… am I correct in thinking you need to spread them the day before the blood test so the last one is around 12 hrs before the blood test? If so I didn’t! D’oh!

Overall, in your opinion, would you say the blood results are ok for being on T3 medication and just keep slowly increasing until I find the optimal level for me?

Thanks

[FancyPants54 in reply to RydeBeach]

This is the mistake you have made I think. You took it all in one go 24hrs before the test as if it were Levo.

12-15 hours gives you an opportunity to see your operating level of T3. So it might need doing again.

You will be getting a high peak in the morning with this dose pattern and then nothing the rest of the day. You might find you need less T3 if you spaced it out more. If you take some and feel shattered not long afterwards, I think that's a sign of too much in one go. It is for me. I know it's convenient but I'm not sure all in one go T3 is a great idea. It works for some of course, you might be one of them.

[RydeBeach in reply to FancyPants54]

Thank you FancyPants54….. I have tried the multi dosing, but I think I need to monitor my symptoms more carefully to really see and feel what is going on

[greygoose in reply to RydeBeach]

Yes, you need to leave a gap of between 8 to 12 hours between your last dose of T3 and the blood draw. So, you've got a false-low FT3 there.

In my opinion, your bloods are fine for someone on T3 mono-therapy. Mine are zero TSH and zero FT4! But that's fine for me. And, yes, you do need to keep slowly - very slowly - continue to increase your dose until you find your 'sweet-spot'.

[RydeBeach in reply to greygoose]

Thank you greygoose ….. I certainly am looking forward to getting to that sweet spot!! 😊

[greygoose in reply to RydeBeach]

You're welcome.