help with blood tests please

[Oakwood4321]

I’ve just had nhs blood tests done.

free T3 4.7 (3.10 - 6.80)

free T4 18.2 (11.00 - 22.00)

tsh. 2.82 (0.27 - 4.20)

currently I take :-

5mcg t3 daily

and 75 mcgs Levothyroxine daily

I’ve been on these doses for 21 weeks.

Im extremely tired, awful brain fog.

I have had a very stressful few months but this should be easing now.

I’d like to take more t3 but would appreciate feedback please as to whether I should lower my Levo and if so what to?

I stopped b complex weeks before my test and had nothing but water before blood test which was 9am and 24 hours after last doses.

Thanks 😊

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Ideally testing 8-12 hours after T3 but I'm assuming you only take one dose... so this is a slightly false low fT3

Free T4 (fT4) 18.2 pmol/L (12 - 22) 62.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 4.7 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 43.2%

Only change one thing at a time... I wouldn't alter you T4 but you have plenty of head room to add another 2.5mcg or 5mcg of T3

[Oakwood4321 in reply to TiggerMe]

Hi TiggerMe,

Thanks for replying and the feedback about timing of t3 before blood tests. I’ll make sure I do that in future.

I’ve just replied to Buddy195 about how to increase the t3 just by 2.5mcg and my problem with my t3 being Roma capsules. Wondering if taking 1 x extra 5mcg capsule every other day would still be a gentle increase if it evens out .

Is the tsh 2.82 too high? I remember seeing on her that most people feel better with tsh at 1 or under?

🙏🏽

[greygoose in reply to Oakwood4321]

No, you can't do that. T3 has to be taken with the same dose every day. You can alternate doses with levo because it's basically a storage dose, but not T3. So, you're going to have to increase by 5 mcg - which I'm pretty sure you've got room for.

[Oakwood4321 in reply to greygoose]

Hi Greygoose,

Thanks for replying.

I’ll go for it with an extra 5mcg in the afternoon and monitor how I am then retest in 8 weeks with correct timing of doses of t3 this time.

🙏🏽

[greygoose in reply to Oakwood4321]

Sounds like a plan.

[Oakwood4321 in reply to greygoose]

😊

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Oakwood4321]

How sensitive are you to T3? Quite likely that adding an extra 5mcg will be fine but some people are more sensitive, you need to take the same every day with T3 as it is quick acting rather than T4 which is slow so differing doses are fine.

If you have a steady hand you could open a capsule and sprinkle half on a shot of water to see how it effects you?

Your TSH is too high aiming for 1 or below, you are quite unusual as normally taking any amount of T3 will suppress TSH but we are more interesting in your fT3 & 4 levels

[Oakwood4321 in reply to TiggerMe]

Thanks TiggerMe. Going to add in the extra 5mcg t3 in afternoon and see how I go.

Thanks for feedback about tsh, hopefully it will come down before too long.

Feeling positive and very grateful for the replies to my post. 🙏🏽

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Oakwood4321]

You are most welcome, I shouldn't worry too much about your TSH it will at least keep them from reducing your dose 😅

[Oakwood4321 in reply to TiggerMe]

Good point! Also false low t3 from timing of my test is handy for this(I think) 😂🙏🏽

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Oakwood4321]

Oh, yes... you're learning fast 😏

[Oakwood4321 in reply to TiggerMe]

👌😉

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I would increase Liothyronine. I like to adjust super slowly, as I get adverse symptoms from larger increases so would try an extra 2.5mcg Liothyronine, perhaps in an afternoon if you feel this is the time your symptoms are worse. You could then add an additional 2.5mcg as tolerated. By adding small amounts I’ve found you don’t miss your sweet spot, where you feel most well. Always retest levels 6-8 weeks after being on a consistent new dose.

[Oakwood4321 in reply to Buddy195]

hi Buddy195

Thanks for replying.

Sounds good to increase the t3 a tiny bit to start off.

The t3 are Roma 5mcg hard capsules so I’m not sure if splitting that will work as I’d just be having the powder. Would it work by taking an extra 5mcg capsule every other day ? Afternoon is definitely my lowest point so would do it then.

I have an nhs Endo appoint on 20 May and she was keen to increase my t3 considering I’m so tired. She authorised these blood tests . I could ask her to change me to something I can split or a 2.5 tablet if they do them.

🙏🏽

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Oakwood4321]

Liothyronine needs to be taken at regular intervals, so alternating days wouldn’t work. You could try adding another 5mcg in one go (as many members add larger amounts successfully) if you are unable to split. Do ask for another brand if adding 5mcg in one go gives adverse symptoms.

[Oakwood4321 in reply to Buddy195]

Thanks Buddy195

Just had reply from Greygoose re taking the t3 at regular intervals. I’ll add the extra 5mcg as keen to add more. Feeling positive 🙏🏽