Hi, thank you for letting me join🙂

[Imnotinlove10cc]

I have a long history of Hypothyroidism. A lot of ups and downs on the journey. I was prescribed T3 quite a few years ago but then had it withdrawn because of cost. It took me 10 years to get it reinstated and get my life back on track. It's been a long battle. Am looking forward to connecting with others on here .Can anyone help me make sense of my blood results please?

I take 50mg Levothyroxine and 20 mg Liothyronine daily and have done for the past 2 years.

My results are consistent with blood tests every 6 months.

Tsh:0.16 (0.35-4.94)

T4: 7 (9.0-19.1)

T3: 4.4 (2.4-6.0)

My GP doesn't understand my blood results and has asked the Endocrinologist who prescribed them to me about the results. 6 months ago his reply was to send him guidelines about T3 and my most recent blood tests resulted in my GP referring me to the Endocrinologist who has said that he doesn't want to see me.

Can anyone throw some light on my blood results please and help me to have a constructive chat with my GP about the results.

I feel so much better since taking T3 again but feel there is room for improvement.

I'm hesitant to broach the subject with my GP in case he says that he's not happy to prescribe these anymore for me. I think he's hesitant to talk to me about it because he doesn't know what to do.

Any help would be gratefully received

Thank you

Tina

[greygoose]

Hi Imnotinlove10cc, welcome to the forum.

Taking T3 is going to suppress your TSH and lower your FT4. That's what it does. And it would be a good thing if your doctor took note of that for the future. However, you're on a very low dose of levo (T4), so that's not helping to bring it up.

T3: 4.4 (2.4-6.0) 48.33%

And you are under-medicated with the T3. It should be more like 75% through the range. So, you need an increase in both of them - but not at the same time.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

welcome to the forum

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

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine

That’s a low dose levothyroxine, as demonstrated by below range Ft4 result

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

Do you normally split your T3 daily

Even if you don’t, day before test ALWAYS split

Post all about what time of day to test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

What vitamin supplements are you taking

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

Is your hypothyroidism autoimmune

Have you ever had thyroid antibodies tested

[Imnotinlove10cc in reply to SlowDragon]

Sorry for late reply, been looking into this and finding some results to share with you.My Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody was

538 (<35) May 2013

96.5(0.0-34.0) Feb 2021

Thyroid Autoantibody level

71.2(0.0-34.0) June 2021.

Gave both names as that's what they're called on results( I think they are the same though).

I always have my blood test done fasting with no meds taken at 9am.

My last dose of T3 the previous day was 1 pm

My last dose of T4 the previous day was 8am.

I do always have the same brand.

I am not taking any vitamin supplements.

I will ask my GP to test my vit D,folate,ferritin & B12.

my blood test results back in September 23 were

Tsh-0.16 (0.35-4.94)

Ft3-4.3(2.4-6.0)

Ft4 -6.4(9-19.1)

Consistent with latest blood test results.

Thank you all for responding to my question, I hope this helps with the added info.

Does T4 do anything else in the body apart from converting to T3? Do we need T4 if taking T3.

I felt so much better when on only T3 but my consultant said I had to take some T4, I don't really understand why?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Imnotinlove10cc]

A) Some people only need Levo - T4

Typically eventual dose Levo approximately 1.6mcg per kilo of your weight per day

Some might need bit less….some a bit more

B) Some people may need mainly Levo plus small doses of T3

So then usually small 25mcg dose reduction in Levo per day from option A) …..plus typically between 10mcg - 20mcg T3 per day, often as divided dose

C) Others might only do well on just T3 - usually somewhere between 40mcg to 60mcg T3 per day

Which ever you are, it’s important to maintain OPTIMAL vitamin levels

And with Hashimoto’s frequently gluten/dairy free diet helps or is essential

[Imnotinlove10cc in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Many, many people on levothyroxine plus small (eg 15mcg or 20mcg) dose T3 find they need BOTH Ft4 and Ft3 at least 60-70% through range

And important to test with correct timings

Taking almost any dose of T3 will significantly lower or suppress TSH. Most important results are Ft3 and Ft4, plus optimal vitamin levels and reduction/resolution of symptoms

If your hypothyroidism is autoimmune, often gluten, dairy and soy are best eliminated from your diet

Getting coeliac blood test BEFORE trialing gluten free diet

Few months later consider trialing dairy free

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the forum Imnotinlove10cc

So we can offer better advice, can you share any blood results (with ranges in brackets) for thyroid antibodies (to see if your condition is auto immune, aka Hashimotos) and key vitamins that support thyroid health. (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12) if you have them.

If your GP is unable to complete all the above you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

What time of day was your blood test? When was your last dose of thyroid medication prior to the blood draw?