I am based in the UK. I have Hashimoto’s disease and take both T3 and T4.
would someone please be kind enough to decipher my recent bloods?
The results have caused my GP to interfere and reduce my T4 because my TSH isn’t registering. I am EXHAUSTED of having the same argument with them explaining T3 suppresses T4.
does anyone have actual links to
1) medical guidelines explaining this
2) guidelines that mean I can have my T4 meds put back up to where they were because I felt better then without being told ‘you’ll end up with heart arhythmias and osteoporotic fractures.’
3) what test should be done as standard for someone with Hashimoto’s in UK
Thankyou for your time
Written by
D911
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this one's better when supressed TSH is the 'problem' : healthunlocked.com/thyroidu.... /tsh-is-just-the-opinion-of-your-pituitary-about-your-dose-but-your-pituitarys-opinion-is-a-bit-warped-once-you-take-thyroid-hormone.
and this one is very useful when TSH is between 0.04 and 0.4 ( but still worth a look even if it's supressed) : healthunlocked.com/thyroidu... useful-evidence-that-tsh-between-0.04-0.4-has-no-increased-risk-to-patients-on-levothyroxine-updated-new-study-does-show-small-risk
Presumably you are under care of an endocrinologist, so GP shouldn’t meddle
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested
Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum
Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (hashimoto’s)
what vitamin supplements are you taking
Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s
Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.
Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.
Recommended that all thyroid blood tests 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)
T3 ….day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
Thanks (all) for your reply. I take 125mcg T4 - they constantly change the brand - its never consistent - they often dont have the full dose in stock so i regularly dont have a full dose. They KEEP trying to give me TEVA despite it being plastered all over my notes that i have a reaction to it (severe itching). I take .......
folic acid 5mg
citalopram 20mg
elleste duet 1mg
B12 injections weekly
(This months) T4 is Accord 125mcg
(This months) Mercury Pharma T3 20mcg
I previously paid privately for endo but am not in a financial position to repeat that
The last time I went to see an NHS endo - I was told that he only wanted to look at the TSH results and wasnt interested in the Free T3 or Free T4 - i havent been referred back since and that was circa 5/6 years ago
The endo diagnosed hashimotos - i dont have a visible goiter not sure whether its possible to have an non visible one?
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