Thyroid test results

[jillyana]

Hi, I've just received a message that a GP needs to speak with me re. my blood results which I think are very good! I'm taking 2 grains of thyroid S & 25mcg of Levo. GP is aware what I'm taking. My readings are :

Serum TSH level < 0.01 mIU/L [0.3 - 5.5]; Below low reference limit

Serum free T4 level 16.6 pmol/L [10.0 - 22.0]

Serum free triiodothyronine level 6.6 pmol/L [3.1 - 6.8]

I suppose they want to stop my tiny dose of Levo. I have this prescription in case I'm unable to obtain any thyroid S & have something to fall back on. I know my TSH is as always below limit, but this is obviously suppressed due to the thyroid S & there's not a lot I can do about that.

[pennyannie]

Your blood tests do look good and if you feel good so be it -

I think as you have T4 on the NHS - the system requires you to have a yearly thyroid function tes.

The test itself is usually only a TSH - but if not in the range - and you will not be - T3 and T4 should be run to justify the low suppressed TSH -

which generally happens when taking any form of thyroid hormone replacement containing T3 and NDT contains T3 :

NDT presents differently in blood tests to synthetic T3 and T4 and you may find you will be met with interest or challenged as to your treatment choice.

You can always source your own T4 - if you wish to abdicate from this TSH yearly thyroid function test and just run a yearly private blood test and monitor things yourself.

[serenfach]

I take NDT and always get the "your TSH is too low" speech. I always say, in a very upbeat voice "oh no, thats normal for me and has been for ages. If you look at my past results..."

Remember they not not supposed to change your dose without your agreement.

They then sometimes start on the "bad for heart and bones" stuff, and I usually say the latest research shows that is not true. "Have you read the latest paper by Gush and Dent?"

Gush and Dent make milking machines, a label I see every day. I have never been challenged on it!

[Lottyplum in reply to serenfach]

Love your Gush+Sent response,!! Fabulous!!🥳🥳

[WaystarRoyco in reply to serenfach]

😂😂😂

[radd]

jillyana,

Some years ago I allowed my Levo prescription to lapse as I self sourced NDT. When supply issues forced me to change meds I found the new one too T3 potent, so required less NDT but with some added Levo. Except the Levo wasn’t listed on my repeat prescription anymore!

How they can just remove a life-long medication without enquiry or discussion with the patient is bewildering. And I had a hell of job getting it reinstated as stupid doctor refused to believe I’d been self-sourcing meds or even have hashi-hypo until eventually upon my suggestion someone bothered to check my medical history.

It’s true Levo is cheap to buy but it’s another worry to add. It depends if you can jump through hoops or not. I can’t jump through stupid GP’s hoops so am presently paying a private endo to organise my meds. This can’t go on forever. This low TSH protocol is a terrible dilemma for many of us.

[jillyana]

Exactly! This is why I like to have the tiny amount of Levo. One GP in the past just stopped the Levo without telling me, even though he knows I have Hashi's & only have a slither of thyroid gland left after surgery. I cannot function on 25mcg of Levo & this is why I sourced my own supply privately.

[radd in reply to jillyana]

jillyana,

What are you going to do? If you want some evidence to argue with your GP there are some TSH research papers on here, although I can't remember who posted them.

tattybogle SlowDragon

[jillyana in reply to radd]

It's difficult to argue my case with any GPs. I cannot show them research papers down the phone, so they win every time. This has happened to me before & my levo was finally reinstated when I had a stay in hospital. It's an ongoing problem we all face if we dare to take NDT & a very sad situation for everyone affected.

[radd in reply to jillyana]

Jillyana,

I had my T3 meds suddenly withdrawn twice and it broke any faith I had left in my NHS thyroid care. I still can’t argue atm.

If you change your mind or just want a read this is an interesting post … healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

and tats post here .. healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Good luck with your appointment.

[tattybogle in reply to radd]

hi Jilllyana, it's a tricky argument to make if TSH is totally supressed , but you may find something you can use to baffle your GP in here : 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.

but if TSH is 0.04 or above you can use this one which shows the risks are no greater than for TSH within range : 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

[radd in reply to tattybogle]

tats,

I love when you come rushing in with all this incredibly useful info 🙏 (thank you emoji)

[jillyana in reply to tattybogle]

Thank you very much for the information