Quick thryoid levels question

[SirVixofVixHall]

Been hypo for a while, can usually tell if things aren't right as I get more palpitations, so I had a test yesterday. These are my results- TSH 2.26 (up from 0.5) T4 21.3 They didn't do T3. I know my GP will say the TSH is fine, but should I try and up my dose on that or is it ok because the T4 is a good level?

[Gettingonwithit1]

Your t4 seems high for a tsh of 2.26. Did you stop taking medication 24 hours before blood test? You really need your ft3 testing too. My TSH is 0.01 with an ft 4 of 16 but I'm on t3 medication which suppresses tsh.

[Gettingonwithit1]

Did your results show the ranges? My lab shows ft4 of 22 as top of the range I think so yours would be ok, but my endocrinologist says you should aim for a tsh of under one once on medication.

[SirVixofVixHall]

That is what I thouhgt, that my TSH is surprisingly high compared to the T4, No I forgot not to take my thyroxine for 24 hours. Should I have another test do you think?

[Gettingonwithit1]

I think taking your meds before a blood test could artificially inflate your ft4 but you should check with the healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk
Forum. I think a fasting retest, first thing in the morning, might be useful (with ft3 too).

[SirVixofVixHall]

The test was about nine thirty, I had taken my thyroxine at about half past midnight, or slightly later, so roughly nine hours before. They never test my T3, even when it has been on the form. I don't understand why.

[Gettingonwithit1]

The nhs won't test ft3 unless requested by an endocrinologist. You can try horizon medicals private test. It really doesn't sound as though you are adequately medicated. Please ask your gp for a referral to an endocrinologist. They should be helping you to get (FEEL) well.

[Gettingonwithit1]

I always stay off meds 24 hours before a blood test to avoid scewing results.

[SirVixofVixHall]

I've never seen an endo even though I've had this issue for years. In fact for many years undiagnosed as even though I felt unwell they kept saying my levels were "normal" and didn't bother testing for antibodies.
I suppose I need to ask for a re-test? i wonder if they'll say no?

[Gettingonwithit1]

I think you should ask to see an endo to help get your meds right. Only an endo can get ft3 checked. Don't take your levo 24 hours before the test as it will inflate the result. Really insist on the referral. You've had this for years and need the support of a specialist to adjust your dose. I hope they've checked (and yiu have tge results) your iron/ferritin, vit D and B12 as these can be low in under-treated thyroid sufferers.

[SirVixofVixHall]

I aked for iron to be tested this time as last year it was 21 or thereabouts, (scale 15-300). So far too low. I've been taking iron and now it is 40 so at least it is creeping up. I added vit D to the form but that isn't back yet.

[Gettingonwithit1]

I really think you need to see an endocrinologist. Could you go private? You should get an NHS referral though.
It's good that you are getting yiur iron levels up and the vit D result will be good to know. It will be higher than in the winter as you've probably had some sun which gets levels up quite quickly. Winter vit D levels are generally much lower. An endo will hopefully test for other things including b12 and ft3 maybe also calcium.
I found that splitting my dose reduced palpatations.
It's so hard to get the dose right as we are all so different!

[SirVixofVixHall]

I've never thought of splitting the dose (partly as it is an annoying dose to split, 75) You do first thing and last? (I assume every 12 hours might be tricky with the no food for two hours before and one hour after? )

[Gettingonwithit1]

Yes splitting it is annoying. Only take 50mg levo and 5mg t3 in the morning and 10 t3 at night. That's what my endo recommended. Its just worth trying what suits you. Some take it all at night and some people take it all in the morning..

[Gettingonwithit1]

• I only take!

[caringcarer]

I have been on Thyroxine for underactive thyroid for 22 years as it packed up completely when i was pregnant with DS2. I have never been told/never knew not to take Thyroxine for 24 hours before a test. I take it at 6.30 am every morning and usually have test at 9.30 am. This would explain why I feel tired and sluggish and struggle to keep weight off by Dr always tells me it is within normal range and even though it is often towards bottom of normal range refuses to raise it. I do know my vitamin D and B12 are often low as Dr told me and I take iron and multivitamins supplements daily. I will go back and ask for another test when I get back from hols. I am currently on 125mg Levothyroxine daily. I have never been offered referral to endocrinologist or had my ft3 levels checked as far as I am aware. Do you think I should get checked out privately? Does taking T3 make you feel better? I have vague memories of how much energy I had before thyroid packed up.

[Gettingonwithit1]

I found the advice from the Thyroid UK healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk forum helpful to ensure i got properly medicated. Their advise made me get my ft3 checked which showed i needed to add t3 meds to the t4 (thyroxine) i was taking.
It's also importand to get your vitamins levels optimum and multivitamins don't have high enough doses to do that.
A GP will keep your bloods in so-called normal range but that might not ve goid enough. You can push for a referal as you aren't actually feeling well on the current medication.

[Gettingonwithit1]

You can get a thyroid11 test done with blue horizon or other such companies to give you a better picture of your thyroid health. Iron, vit D and b12 all included as well as antibodies to see if you have autoimune Hashimotos.

[Patchouli666]

Underactive thyroid here too with autoimmune hashimoto's. I take NDT ( natural dessicated thyroid) felt absolutely rubbish on Levo but feel great now. Well worth taking a look at thyroid patient advocate uk and stop the thyroid madness. And also at Isabella Wentz who is a thiroyd specialist pharmacist Dr. .

[SirVixofVixHall]

I do have Hashimotos , yes. When I was at the point pre diagnosis, where my GP was saying I was fine, but I was feeling rubbish, I saw a doc privately who suggested NDT. However that sent me hyper after a couple of days, I felt really strange, as though I was about to pass out. It was a very very low dose. It has put me off trying it again, but I'm fed up of feeling tired.

[SirVixofVixHall]

I do look at thyroid UK as my young daughter also has Hashis and was really unwell. The problem is talking to my gP as I usually get the "your levels are fine" thing.

[Gettingonwithit1]

It sounds as though your GP is stopping you from getting properly well. A private appointment with an endo if he won't refer you is all you can do. I'm lucky that my GP says he 'doesn't treat blood results'. He does think that an endo can better advise on my medication though and he's happy to prescribe what my endo advises.

[SirVixofVixHall]

My vitamin D level is 20. I have no idea what that means, other than that dds is twice that and the consultant felt hers was a bit low.

[Pleasemrstweedie]

That vitamin D level is very, very low, so you need to supplement with soft gels. Jarrow or Doctors Best are good brands. I'd say 5,000iu a day if you can get them, 2,000iu if not. You need to be looking to get that level up to about 100.

[SirVixofVixHall]

Oh gosh really? That is a worry. The GP hadn't commented on it. My db also has very low vit d, which is partly why I thought I'd ask for it to be tested. He is outside much more than me, and tans, yet his was very low- maybe there is a genetic issue.

[SirVixofVixHall]

Just remembered reading that high dose vit D supplements cause kidney stones, is that something to be concerned about?