High T4 level

[mary_James108]

I need help please! I’ve had an inactive thyroid for over 25 years, my age is 57. Over the years I have decreased the thyroxine to 100mg from 175mg. I recently did private blood tests as I’ve been trying to lower my cholesterol. All results were good but my T4 was very high of 20 pmol/L. My TSH was 0.7 and in normal range. I’m having hyper symptoms and find it very hard to sleep and have constant throbbing around the neck and feel jittery. I told the GP on the NHS but they only did the TSH blood test which came back normal. Any advice would be welcome what to do. Thank you

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the forum mary_James108

So we can offer better advice, can you add blood test ranges for TSH and FT4, as these can vary between laboratories.

Was FT3 tested?

Do you have any antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12)?

If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[mary_James108 in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you for your quick reply.

My private blood tests for Vit D was 57. B12 was high at 863. Ferritin normal at 41.

FF3 was not tested for.

My NHS TSH level was normal range when I lasted looked as at the moment It’s not opening on the NHS app.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to mary_James108]

Can you supply ranges for tests (in brackets after results) as these can vary between laboratories. When GPs say normal/ within range, this may not be the same as ‘optimal’ where you feel most well.

[Lulu2607]

Maybe you're still overmedicated which could make you jittery, but advice is to reduce your dose slowly though. Big jumps are a shock to the system. When the Dr says 'normal range' it's best to get the actual figures as being at the top or bottom of a range is 'normal range' but you can feel very different in those two cases.

[mary_James108]

Thank you. Do you think I should reduce it by 25mg? Or take 100mg alternative days?

[greygoose in reply to mary_James108]

You didn't say if you've had antibody testing. It could be that you have Hashi's, and are having some sort of 'hyper' swing, and that your dose of levo has nothing to do with your high FT4.

TSH is the least important number - although doctors only ever look at it, but they know nothing about T4 and T3. We, the patients, know better. And we know that your FT4 could also be high because you're not converting it to T3. So, you really, really need your FT4 and FT3 tested at the same time to see how well you're converting.

[mary_James108]

okay will get this tested. Is there private companies you know who test FT3. Thank you

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to mary_James108]

Lots!

Have a look here:

thyroiduk.org/testing/