Hello, I recently ordered a private test. I have been on alternating 150/125ug levo for around a year. My GP asked me to reduce levo before Christmas as TSH is consistently below 1. So I ordered a T3 test. Dose this T3 look OK? Do you think it's worth asking for a refreal to an Endo?
I'm mostly ok symptoms wise, i do still get terrible headaches every now and then, but might be hormonal. The thing that concerns me most is that I have a very slow pulse, sometimes irregular and palpataions. Pulse is usually between 40-50bpm. Had it checked at a routine nhs heart monitoring session who recomened me go for ECG. Cholesterol was good thankfully.
I'd appreciate your thoughts.
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GrowingVeg
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Pretty bad but over range fT4 and suppressed TSH is going to hamper your conversion too, have you optimised your vits and mins? I'd drop back to 125mcg
Yes worth asking for an Endo referral though the outcome can vary especially in certain postcodes 😕
On the basis of the above results your T4 to T3 conversion is impaired ( high FT4 with low FT3) which has resulted in low FT3 which inturn has resulted in your symptoms
Over range T4 can cause other problems, so should be avoided
So, no, your FT3 is not OK, it is abysmally low and I suggest you consult with an endo with a view to having T3 prescribed
In addition optimise vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin to help support thyroid function
For accurate results...
Test at 9am
24 hours after previous levo dose
On an empty stomach
Did you follow this protocol?
Without this protocol you are likely to be looking at false highs or false lows!
The heart needs a lot of T3, if that is low you can experience your symptoms.
Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine at each prescription
Which brand
Was test 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)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test
If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal
Monitor My Health (NHS private test service) offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12 if last test result serum B12 was below 500 or active B12 (private test) under 70:
suggest you retest thyroid and vitamin levels 8-10 weeks after reducing dose Levo
Assuming Ft3 hasn’t improved go see an endocrinologist
Here’s link for how to request Thyroid U.K.list of private Doctors emailed to you, but within the email a link to download list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists who will prescribe T3
Ideally choose an endocrinologist to see privately initially and who also does NHS consultations so that might eventually transfer to getting T3 on NHS
I am peri menopause, 46 years old. I tested at 8.30am, empty stomach, before taking levo that day.
I always take the same brand. It has been Accord for atleast a year, it seems to be good for me. Used to take mercury but since taking Accord, much less leg aches. Can't take Teva, tried it twice but each time had a crash.
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