so tired but latest results basically normal

[CourtandSpark]

You can see from my results that I’m basically euthyroid now. Could the slightly low FT3 impact my energy levels? I’m very tired lately. I had a hectic week and maybe overdid it when I’ve basically been recovering from SAT. Any thoughts? Anything I can do to boost FT3?

[Obsdian]

Your t4 and t3 are very low in range which is why you feel miserable.

[pennyannie]

Hello CourtandSpark:

Have you now been able to fully stop both the Carbimazole and Propranolol - as both these drugs will have had am impact on your blood test results -

the Carbimazole is an Anti Thyroid drug and blocks your daily production of thyroid hormones -

with the Propranolol being a beta blocker which slows down conversion of T4 into T3.

T3 is the active hormone which runs the body, with a little bit made by the body and the majority made by converting circulating T4 into T3 as and when needed to enable the body to function -

Your T4 is now at only around 18% through its range and in fact your T3 now below the range so, yes, we can see that you are ' running on empty ' with you being totally floored and exhausted.

Your T4 may start to build and improve - if both these drugs are fully out of your system -

A euthyroid - normal thyroid function - would see a T4 at around mid point through its range so around 17 in this range with a T3 tracking just behind at around 45% through its range at around 5.

Being in a range is just the first step to optimal health - finding where your T3 and T4 need to sit, within the range, to restore your health and well being step 2:

When metabolism runs too fast as in hyperthyroidism or too slow as in hypothyroidism the body struggles to extract key nutrients through food no matter how clean and well you eat and low levels of core strength vitamins and minerals can compound your ill health further than necessary -

so it would be a good idea to get your ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D run and we can advise where within the ranges you'll likely find your optimal levels to support you through this phase of ill health.

[CourtandSpark in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you so much for this information. I’ve been off the propranolol and carbimazole since mid July. I was feeling pretty good and then the last few days I’ve felt hugely depleted. It may be because I had a very busy week and I’ve gone back to exercising and basically overdoing it - not fully accepting that I’m still recovering from this blasted illness.

[pennyannie in reply to CourtandSpark]

OK - so you know you have overdone things and can do something about this yourself -

first off - stop the exercise as this depletes T3 faster than say, going for a walk -

Your T4 is too low to do much other than ' go slow ' - hopefully your T3 and T4 will build up and level up to somewhere around mid point through the ranges.

When is your next follow up to see your consultant ?

[CourtandSpark in reply to pennyannie]

This is really helpful as you kinda feel fobbed off and like you’re going mad when your consultant says they’re basically normal now. I see her in about 2 months. The only thing that would bring that sooner is if the results went particularly abnormal. At the moment we can’t predict whether this is starting to resolve or whether I’ll go into the hypo phase. That’s why I went for an early test. I was so knackered I wondered whether I was fully hypo.

[pennyannie in reply to CourtandSpark]

Everyone's ' hypo ' is likely to be found ' in the ranges ' -

ranges are just guidelines - and there is a very big difference in one's well being when being 10% in a range to being 90% in the same range.

as it's also about finding where your T3 and T4 need to be within the ranges to give you back your ' you ' and your health and well being.

There is no need to predict anything - you are already hypothyroid -

your T3 is now below the range and your T4 too low in the range to support you - and why you are now without the energy or the ' where with all ' to carry on with your life -

Your TSH is not responding in the normal manner -

yet - if it ever does -

as after AT drugs the TSH may never respond as it is meant to -

( which is to rise higher and higher as you become further compromised by the hypothyroidism )

and why your TSH reading is less important than your T3 and T4 blood test results and must not be relied upon as to your thyroid health status.

P.S. Were any thyroid antibodies found over range and positive when initially diagnosed ?

[pennyannie in reply to pennyannie]

Your serum B12 was too low 2 months ago and your ferritin was borderline and I can't see a vitamin D ?

I now aim for ferritin at around 100 - folate around 20 - active B12 around 125 ( serum B12 500++ ) and vitamin D around 125.

[pennyannie in reply to pennyannie]

2 months ago both your T3 and T4 were below the ranges and you were in the hypothyroid phase of being on the Carbimazole and Propranolol.

Now - without these drugs- hopefully your thyroid levels will build back up into range and far enough through the ranges to give you back your ' you ' with the brain and heart taking the lions share of any available T3 just to keep you ticking over and alive.

and to get back to your ' you ' - you'll likely need your T3 well up the range at around 70% :

[CourtandSpark in reply to pennyannie]

I had TPO and TSHRAB and both were negative. I understand now why I’m not feeling good. I need to pace myself.

[pennyannie in reply to CourtandSpark]

Was that second bio-marker a TSH -TRAB ?

[CourtandSpark in reply to pennyannie]

I had this tested a few months ago

TSHRAB

[pennyannie in reply to CourtandSpark]

Thank you - ok so that is a TSH Receptor antibody reading and a negative for Graves Disease -

Good - one less thing to worry about :

[SlowDragon Administrator]

suggest you get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing

will GP test thyroid antibodies and vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin levels

If not test privately

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

Post all about what time of day to test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[CourtandSpark in reply to SlowDragon]

I’ve have had TPO and TSHRAB and both negative. I’ll get my vitamins retested. I followed the protocol for testing - had the test yesterday at 9am on an empty stomach.