Thanks to all your advice, when I went to the GP's last week for my annual thyroid blood tests, I asked for T3 to be done (which I've never had done before). The nurse asked a doctor who said, 'You can request it, but the lab will refuse.' However, the good news is that they sent me F3 results.
Since I am getting increasing low thyroid symptoms again - pins and needles in my hands, gaining weight despite no change in diet (which is a good diet), fragile skin on my eyelids which are often puffy and swollen, fatigue and brain fog - I was convinced that I was going to discover that my body wasn't converting to F3 - but my results show that I'm in the normal range for TSH, T4 and T3. So where do I go from here to sort my symptoms?
Latest NHS blood results 25th Feb '25 - unfortunately taken at 11.15 am because you don't get any choice of time at my GP surgery - followed your advice about prior levothyroxine timing, fasting, and avoiding supplements in the lead up to it.
Serum TSH - 3.357 mU/L (range= 0.570 to 3.600)
Serum free T4 - 11.0 pmol/L (range= 7.9 to 14.0)
Serum free T3 - 4.5 pmol/L (range = 3.1 to 6.8)
Current Levothyroxine dose - 75mg
Since starting on this forum a fortnight ago and receiving your advice plus doing more research, I am now supplementing with Igennus Vit B tablets, a good Vit D and K2 (previously I did take Vit D in the winter but only when I remembered, which was rarely!). Also Magnesium L-threonate and N-Acetyl Cysteine. (NAC may seem a random choice but it was recommended and seemed to fit with some of my other health issues) I am now avoiding the multivit that I sometimes took because I realised that it contained 50% of the daily recommended amount of iodine. I also make my first meal of the day a homemade green smoothie to get as much good stuff into me as possible and avoid dairy first thing.
Any additional ideas or comments please?
Thanks!
Written by
Huffalump
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Even if we frequently start on only 50mcg, most people need to increase levothyroxine dose slowly upwards in 25mcg steps (retesting 6-8 weeks after each increase) until eventually on, or somewhere near full replacement dose (typically 1.6mcg levothyroxine per kilo of your weight per day)
Adults usually start with a dose between 50 micrograms and 100 micrograms taken once a day. This may be increased gradually over a few weeks to between 100 micrograms and 200 micrograms taken once a day.
Some people need a bit less than guidelines, some a bit more
Comprehensive list of references for needing LOW TSH on levothyroxine
If symptoms of hypothyroidism persist despite normalisation of TSH, the dose of levothyroxine can be titrated further to place the TSH in the lower part of the reference range or even slightly below (i.e., TSH: 0.1–2.0 mU/L), but avoiding TSH < 0.1 mU/L. Use of alternate day dosing of different levothyroxine strengths may be needed to achieve this (e.g., 100 mcg for 4 days; 125 mcg for 3 days weekly).
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
The brand they give me changes frequently. At the moment I am on Teva 25 mg and Accord 50 mg. From reading people's experiences on this forum, I now understand that changing brands can sometimes be a problem.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Update test results after 2 month. I need help to understand if I’m going on the right direction! 
New here. Hashimotos with Low normal T4 and High normal TSH. What can I expect from my GP?
Thank you and update
FT3 low in range. How do I help GP understand this could be the cause of some of my symptoms?
