Thyroid blood results after adding T3

[Citta]

Here are my latest blood results 2 months after adding T3 20 mcgs split dose and reducing Levo from 100 to 75. The bloods were taken first thing before any meds and no supplements apart from magnesium, Vit D and omega .

Any thoughts? I fell ok most of the time but can get brain fog and joint pain but I think this is less than before. Sleep definitely improved. A bit of weight gain and hair quite lank and straggly.

[greygoose]

Did you start the 20 mcg all at the same time? That is a very high starter dose. We usually recommend 5 mcg to begine with.

So, how long had you been on 20 mcg before testing?

Your FT4 is a little low, so you probably didn't need to reduce your dose of levo, but endos will insist on doing that. Don't suppose they know why they're doing it, though. Anyway, time will tell if it's too low.

[Citta in reply to greygoose]

I started T3 in October on a split does. 10 mcgs AM and another at lunch time. I was wondering if I needed to go back to 100 mcgs of levo.

[greygoose in reply to Citta]

I think you ought to give it more time for things to settle after starting on such a high dose of T3.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

Is this how you did this test

When did you last test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

[Citta in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes, I did that. Last Vit D and Ferritin was done in October and all was normal. However, I have increased my D supplements since.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Citta]

What were actual results for vitamin D and ferritin

Free T4 (fT4) 14 pmol/L (12 - 22) 

Ft4 only 20.0% through range

Free T3 (fT3) 5.6 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 

Ft3 better at 67.6% through range

I would trial increase in Levo to 87.5mcg daily

Retest in 6-8 weeks

Day before test split T3 as 10mcg waking, 5mcg mid afternoon and 5mcg at 10pm

You may find you need to reduce T3 by 5mcg after next test

Which brand of Levo are you taking

Is it always same brand at each prescription

[Citta in reply to SlowDragon]

HB was139 g/L ferritin 155 ug/L vit D 63 nmol/L

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Citta]

So yes aim for vitamin D at least over 80nmol